Welcome to Earlsdon Methodist Church

Newsletter and Notices
Newsletter 263: 28.9.25

Minister: Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams

The weekly newsletter with further information is available by email and we warmly invite you to join the mailing list. Please contact: earlsdonmcnews@gmail.com

Additional information can be found on this website.

Dear Earlsdon Methodist Friends,

We have our latest newsletter (below) and another hymn offered by Victor, one which I sure will be remembered by many.

* * * * *

I often wonder how much time I spend each day or week on what I call ‘the maintenance of living’. Washing and dressing, shopping, preparing and eating food, pulling up weeds, putting out the bin, putting petrol in the car, washing up, making the bed…..You get the picture and I’m sure you all do at least some of these everyday tasks, and many more. Maybe you find joy and delight in them, maybe they are a chore. One thing’s for certain, they’ll be needed again tomorrow and tomorrow and so on! Nothing much to show for the time and work, but we’d struggle if they weren’t done.

These are all times when we might remember to ‘practise the presence of God’ as the 17^th Century friar, Brother Lawrence pursued and encouraged, even working in the kitchen of the monastery. If we are honest, we rarely do remember (speaking for myself anyway) and our thoughts easily latch onto worries, or things that are bothering us.

To be ‘present to the presence of God, here in the present moment’ takes a lot of practise and for most of us, these times are fleeting. And yet, each single moment can bring peace and a fresh perspective.

Last week was National Retreat Week https://www.renewall.org.uk/

Lynne has shared some great resources which you may find helpful. For example:

https://www.renewall.org.uk/project/replenishment-in-god/

I was particularly taken with a short series of Youtube video clips which invite us to meditate through photography. I am not a particularly good photographer, but this isn’t about taking great pictures, more of connecting with our surroundings in God and with a camera or smart phone in hand.

https://www.renewall.org.uk/project/contemplative-photography/

You can commit to several hours with the practices or simply enjoy the video clips which are meditative viewing in themselves. Take a look if you are interested.

I have really enjoyed spending a few moments this week looking at the magnificent crop of acorns in the local park. The pictures I collected won’t win any competitions, but the experience was good.

Our moments can be a chore or a joy!

Ed

Sunday 28^th September
All age worship at 10.30am led by Charlene Mukorombindo

Morning Worship is available to access via the usual zoom link

Coffee and tea are available after morning service

Sunday 5^th October
Harvest Festival Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams, 10.30am.

Harvest gifts will be taken later to ‘Carriers of Hope’, a local charity supporting asylum seekers and migrant families in need of support.

Sunday 12^th October
Worship at 10.30am led by Heather Mills and the Worship Band

Evening Worship with Holy Communion at 6.30pm led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams

Church Family News:

David Mills is now home after his operation earlier this week. We wish him well in his recovery and he thanks everyone for their support.

We also continue to remember Carol Gallard doing well following her hip operation.

Our love and prayers are with all church family and friends who have concerns or who are going through difficult times.

Wellspring Café
Thursdays & Fridays 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Saturday 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon
The usual menu of drinks and light food is available. Prayer Shawl knitters meet on Thursday

Mondays

‘Come and Sing!’ 7.30pm in Church. Next Meeting 6^th October

Tuesdays

Morning Prayer and Quiet Reflection: 8.45am for 15 minutes online (Zoom link is as Sunday morning worship)

Intercessory Prayer Group: 11am online.

Evening Bible Study and Fellowship Group 7.30pm at Ray’s next meeting on 7^th October

Wednesdays

Prayers and Bears 9.30am (open from 9am), for pre-school children and a parent or carer. Contact Penny or Helen if you feel you could help in any way.

Pastoral Committee meets on Tuesday 1^st at 7.30pm in the upstairs room over Wellspring

Wednesday Worship 7pm. A short act of worship held fortnightly. Coffee available from 6.45pm. Next meeting on 1^st October

Praying for Church and Community: Fortnightly, next on Wednesday 1^st October following worship from 7.45 to around 8.30pm

Everyone is welcome to come to either or both.

Fridays

Earlsdon ‘3in1’ Youth Group meets in the Church Hall, 6- 8 pm for 5–18-year-olds.

(First and Third Fridays each month during Term Time)

Shoe Box Appeal.

It is that time of year to think about the T4U Shoe Box Appeal for children who have nothing. The appeal is asking for the same items as previously with an extra request for games/items for boys aged 12 years. At a time when there is so much misery for children around the world it is a chance for us to make a small contribution to children's happiness & a reminder to them that others do care.We will be packing boxes on Monday October 6th so gifts & financial donations will be very welcome from September. They can be brought to Wellspring or to Wendy Winch or Gill Spokes.

Suggested items for the boxes are woolly hats, scarves, gloves, stationery items, small toys & games, soft toys (Not home knitted), tooth brush, tooth paste, soap etc.

Thank you for your kindness.
Wendy Winch & Gill Spokes

WOODSIDE AVENUE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
We had a very interesting afternoon last Tuesday, learning about the valuable work of guide dogs, and sharing information.

Our next gathering is on Tuesday, 14th October, at 2pm, when we will welcome Rosyln Leng, together with Rev Pauline Warner, and enjoy a talk based on the area where the famous film, "The Railway Children", was filmed. Followed, of course, by a refreshing cup of tea and biscuits. Our Earlsdon friends are always welcome to join us.

WOODSIDE AVENUE CHURCH - COFFEE MORNING

Our next charity Coffee Morning will be on Saturday morning, 4th October, from 10.30am to 12 noon, at Woodside Avenue Church. It will be in aid of Guide Dogs - the training of these valuable assistance dogs is very expensive and we would like to raise as much money as possible. Make a note of the date - come and enjoy coffee, cake and fellowship together - bring a friend.

Kathleen Wykes

Events coming up:
An Evening exploring the story and significance of Edith Stein
Revd Pauline Warner (and others) will be speaking on the Feast of St Michael, Monday 29^th September 2025 at ST MARY AND ST BENEDICT’S CHURCH, 52A RAGLAN STREET HILLFIELDS CV1 5HG from 5.30 pm to 8pm

St Mary Magdelene Church, Chapelfields celebrates the Dedication of their new fresco with Bishop Rowan Williams, Saturday 4^th October at 12 Noon. All are welcome to join with our CTEC neighbours.

‘In Spite of our Differences’ We celebrate Rev Clive Fowle's achievement in the publication of his book, about his ministry of mediation. The book launch will be on Sat. 4^th Oct at Rugby Methodist Church at 2.30 pm.

Festival of Church Music at Coventry Cathedral Saturday 11^th October at 6pm Choirs from around the country and service led by Martin Leckebusch. https://www.freechurchchoirs.org.uk/

‘Be More Steve’ Dayspring Concert , Friday 21^st November, 7pm at Sky Blue Tavern (Poster). Put the date in your diary!

Church website: https://www.earlsdonmethodist.org.uk/
Church office email: office@earlsdonmethodist.org.uk
Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EarlsdonMC
Church Twitter (X) account: @Earlsdon MC
Circuit web892site: https://covnunmethodist.org.uk/
District website: https://www.birminghammethodist.org.uk/
District Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Birminghammethodistdistrict/

Do let others know of these e-letters. Anyone can go onto the mailing list by posting ‘I’m in’ to earlsdonmcnews@gmail.com . You can opt out at any time by sending an email to this address.

Lois Talbot (Edited for website by Tim W), 26/09/2025

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details below) for our Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Parking is available at the front & back of the adjacent Church Hall, accessible from Earlsdon Avenue South.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are available after the service, please stay and have a chat.

Plan your journey:
Open Google Maps

what3words

Accessibility: Both the Church & Church Hall have level or ramp access, and chair lift access to upper floors. There are disabled access toilets in both buildings. The main worship area of the Church also benefits from a hearing loop. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10.30am, but when the music is led by our Worship Band, we have a few hymns &/or songs before the service starts. There is then a warm welcome from one of our Stewards. Church news & extra notices may also be given at this time. Our services are typically an hour long, with a mixture of hymns, prayers, bible readings and a sermon. One of our leaders will give the sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We finish with a final worship song before a final prayer is said. (Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.)

EMC Congregation

What about my children?

If you would like information of the activities available for children please Contact Us.

Have you got children? Would you like to bring them to church?

Earlsdon Methodist Church aims to provide a safe & welcoming environment in which children can be themselves & have fun learning about our Christian faith. Please see our Sunday Services page for more information on Sunday morning groups for children.

Current mid-week groups available for children are as follows:

Prayers & Bears – every Wednesday morning starting at 8.45 am. This is hosted by the church but led by Tulo & Sarah Raistrick from St Barbara’s C of E Church & is open to parents & carers with children aged ?).
Dayspring Steel Band – please follow this link for more information.

If you have any questions about any of the above then please Contact Us .

Children

Getting Connected

Church Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, morning, afternoons and evenings.

Our groups include:-

Centenary Choir (alternate Mondays)
Tuesday Prayer Prayer & Reflection online
Tuesday Intercessory Prayer online
Wednesday Midweek Prayer & Meditation
Wednesday Worship (held fortnightly)
Dayspring Steel Band
3 in 1 Youth Group
Wellspring Café
Prayer Shawl Ministry

Check out Church Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes