Responding to our calling
Yorkshire North and East Methodist District has launched a dedicated page on the District website for Coronavirus - a Go-to-hub for information, guidance, news, prayers and resources. www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/coronavirus
Thy Kingdom Come : 21 - 31 May
From the very first gatherings of Methodists in Oxford, Methodism has always been suffused with prayer. Prayer is the foundation on which the Methodist Church is built and from which it seeks to fulfil its calling to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The Revd Canon Gareth J Powell, Secretary of the Methodist Conference
'Thy Kingdom Come 2020' - 10 days of prayer between now and Pentecost Sunday (31st May). Here's an awesome new song written for this year's Thy Kingdom Come - maybe use it as a basis for prayer. https://vimeo.com/420701776
What's On This Week
Sunday 24 May
10.30
Sunday Worship
Aldersgate Sunday
Preacher: Mo Onyett
Join us
/NiddValley
Sunday 24 May
at 6.30pm
Evening worship
led by
Gracious Street
Join us
/Nidd Valley
Morning Prayer
Live at 8am
every day Tuesday to Saturday
with one of our circuit staff
Join us at
If you missed any of the above services you can see videos of them, they are all available on youtube.
There are lots of difference live-streamed services and events taking place this week.
Nidd Valley Circuit is featured in the latest edition of the Connexion Magazine
https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/16619/the-connexion-magazine-issue-18.pdf
Prayer for our homes written and read by Rev. Leslie Newton. Chair of Yorkshire North and East District
https://www.facebook.com/MethodistChurchinBritain/videos/264577684544286/
Poetry Corner
A Poem by Katie Smith
Just Be by Catherine Clowes
Just be at home
How can that be so hard to do?
Most of our lives we long to slow down
Now we can there’s so much to pursue!
Just be apart
From those not known and those we love
We must keep at a safe distance
Our hearts burst with the build-up of love
Just be at work
Be it at home or on the frontline
Whether we’re fighting the virus head on
Or we’re meeting with colleagues on Zoom time!
Just be at school
All this home teaching wasn’t part of the deal!
Such pressure to keep up high standards
Know you’re doing great no matter how you feel
Just be patient
Although it feels like we’ll never get through
We’re told that if we follow the rules
This time will pass, we can start anew!
Just be at peace
Our heavenly Father has got this in hand
He hears our cries for his hurting world
He will come to heal our land.
Just be at rest
Give Him your worries and your fears
Let Him hold you in His loving arms
Let Him wipe away your tears.
Just be His child
That is all we’re called to be
We can trust Him with our future
Let Him love you tenderly
Just be!
©Catherine Clowes
March 2020
LIFE BEYOND LOCKDOWN
(April 13, 2020, in the middle of lockdown due to the Covid 19 pandemic)
There will be life beyond lockdown,
yes, there will be life; life and love
and living; living life more respectfully,
more gently, more thankfully.
There will be time, time to love
and greet our dear ones, to relish
their presence and sing their song.
There will be reunions and meetings,
plans and preparations for many things
that for too long have been on hold.
Oh, there will be laughter, lots
and lots of laughter, and sadness
too for what and who we’ve missed.
There will be worries - of health
and income, of different ways of
living, of adjusting to our lives
and how we live them post pandemic.
But, just imagine stopping in the
street, seeing someone, crossing
straightaway to meet them, greet
them! To value and be valued.
Think of parties in the garden, of
children bouncing, shouting, of
games and music and the fun we’ll have!
So much to treasure and appreciate,
when our world’s unlocked and we
are free. Free to live, to love, to serve.
There will be life beyond this awful,
necessary lockdown. When social
distancing has done its thing;
when the virus is contained, or we are
tested and can travel, work and walk;
board a bus, a train, ... a plane!
When we will not just look beyond
our ‘walls’ to those around who need us,
but really be alongside and amongst.
When we can never take for granted
what we may have done before:
even food and clothes and coffee stops!
When each hug and kiss and
handshake will be twice as
warming, and sincere. When
we prioritise our promises, our
lives and loves and livelihoods,
when we truly count our blessings
and our privilege and space.
There will be life after lockdown.
There will. But today, before
we’ve got there, may we treasure
in this very moment, the time we have:
the slowness, even the separations;
the ‘making do’, the ‘using up’;
the virtual life we live and all
the benefits of digital devices.
Yet now we dare to dream of newness,
of the dawning of the days when
perhaps a hope is realised!
Step with me into a future which
will be our newest ‘normal’;
when with courage we’ll embrace
the hours, the days, the time we have;
Forever grateful and mindful of the
freedom others paid their lives for;
I hope, when we’re loosed from lockdown,
we’ll cherish all we know of life and love.
Hilary J Hughes
The Harrogate District Foodbank is always looking for donations of food and other items. Visit the website to find out how to help.