A Message from the Superintendent Minister April 13th 2021
Dear Friends,
In my letter this week, I want to invite you to attend the Greater Manchester Citizens Mayoral Assembly 2021 on Tuesday 27th April 2021 at 6pm. Let me tell you a bit more about it.
Greater Manchester Citizens stands in the tradition of ‘community organising’ as espoused by Barack Obama, and some would say, Jesus himself! Community Organising is for people who want change; for people who perhaps feel frustrated or angry with the ways things are and want to do something about it; for people who feel powerless, or worried about the direction the country is going. One of the biggest and most successful community organisations in the UK is Citizens UK. Citizens UK is an alliance of diverse local communities working together for the common good, and Member Institutions, all of which are deeply rooted in their local areas, are enabled to develop their voice and work together for real change. The work of Citizens UK has led to change of such national significance as the Living Wage with its £1.3 billion of wages won for low-paid workers, through to neighbourhood improvements such as zebra crossings outside primary schools.
In Greater Manchester, Citizens UK operates through a local ‘chapter’ Greater Manchester Citizens (GMC) which is an alliance of churches, mosques, synagogues, trade unions, schools, universities and faith groups. It was formed in 2017 at a founding Mayoral Assembly where a thousand people came together at Lowry Theatre to engage with the Mayoral candidates on the issues that matter most to citizens across Greater Manchester. On that occasion, there were testimonies about Hate Crime, the Living Wage, Homelessness and Social care. What is really important for you to know is that all Methodists in Manchester and Stockport are members of Greater Manchester Citizens by virtue of the Methodist District being a signed-up Member Institution. Myself and Revd Ian Rutherford (from Central Hall Manchester) are on the leadership team and this April GMC will be holding another Mayoral Assembly prior to the elections, which will, of course, be online because of the ongoing pandemic. After an extensive period of listening within communities back in the summer of 2019 and researching throughout 2020, a strong agenda is being put forward to the Greater Manchester Mayoral candidates – these issues include cleaning our air and transport, ending child poverty and calling for better services around mental health. This Assembly will be the largest gathering of people during the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election.
Its perhaps important for me to say this is not a hustings event, rather an opportunity for members of GM Citizens Institutions to come together with the Mayoral Candidates – Andy Burnham and at least one other - to express our hopes for Greater Manchester in the coming year. Amidst celebrating our institutions and sharing powerful stories, communities from across the membership will share specific ‘asks’ of the Mayoral candidates, inviting them to make pledges on reducing poverty, improving mental health, and reforming transport and the environment.
So please let me reiterate my invitation to you; if you have never heard of Citizens UK or Greater Manchester Citizens but think it sounds interesting or intriguing, if you are already involved, or if you would like to know more and perhaps get involved. You need to register for the event which you can do by clicking here (if you are reading this online) or can access a computer, otherwise call or email me and I will register you. https://actionnetwork.org/events/citizens-uk-greater-manchester-assembly-2021-2
Please remember to tick the box to show you are with ‘Manchester and Stockport Methodists’.
Greater Manchester Citizens Mayoral Assembly 2021 on Tuesday 27th April 2021 at 6pm -8pm.
It would be a wonderful witness across the whole of Greater Manchester to our commitment to the communities in which God has placed us, if there were lots of Methodists present.
And, as we begin to hope for the end of the pandemic and the lockdown, please remember as always:
In this time of isolation and separation may we feel the unity of God’s spirit in the bonds of peace and love which connect us to one another.
- When we feel lonely let us know that in Christ we are never alone.
- When we feel isolated may we be reminded that within the worldwide Body of Christ we are always connected.
- When we need a hug help us to feel the warmth of God’s embrace
- When we are compelled to keep our distance, may we be drawn close to each other within the Spirit of Companionship that flows from God and which moves through and between each one of us.
With love and blessings,
Rev Cathy
NOTICES
Helpful hint to find Zoom links quickly - Go to the calendar on the website (click here). If you click on the event you would like to attend, a box will pop up with the Zoom information. You can click on the link and go straight into the meeting.
Worship
See your local church notices for details but for the time being we are continuing our Circuit wide Zoom service at 3pm on Sundays. Login details as usual see above.
Circuit Prayer
As we continue into lockdown, let’s continue to say this prayer together when we can, at 11am on a Sunday morning. This way we stay connected in a very really and tangible way with all those who are not yet able to come back to church. You can also read more about each church on the Circuit Website www.stockportcircuit.org.uk
God of Love and Life, we pray to you this morning for the life the United Stockport Methodist Circuit, for our sisters and brothers who belong to:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. We ask that this time of crisis might pass and that those who suffer might find comfort and strength within the knowledge of your grace, revealed through the kindness and compassion of the people of God. Eternal God, through the self-offering of your Son you have filled our lives with your presence. Help us in our sufferings and trials. Fill us with hope and strengthen us in our weakness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.