Welcome to Earlsdon Methodist Church

Newsletter and Notices
Newsletter 261: 31.8.25

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,

I do hope this isn’t the last EMC newsletter you receive online! 31^st August is the deadline for giving renewed GDPR permission.

Victor’s choice of hymn this week is not one I remember at all; does it evoke any memories for you?

We launch into September this coming week, with all the changes and beginnings that the new term and the new Methodist year bring. One very big change is the new ‘West Midlands District' to which we now belong. The big launch and welcome to the District Chair is on Saturday August 30^th. https://www.wmmethodists.org.uk/

Our newsletter outlines the local church groups and activities that will now spring back into action! It may be that you regularly are involved in one or several; it could be that you might drop in and ‘visit’ an activity as a one off – you would be made very welcome, I’m sure; perhaps there is something missing that you’d like to see on offer – have a word with someone about it. Whatever your regular or occasional involvement in church life, we are all part of the bigger picture, and we belong as family in God.

I was impressed and touched by a comment I heard from one of our members some time ago. They had made a commitment that whatever they did – they would do it cheerfully. I was challenged by that.

Well…. I cannot promise that I will be able to rise to cheerfulness in all things! However, I will endeavour to discern how I may engage with all that is on offer in God’s world – within the church and otherwise. I hope to explore my own journey, my part within the life of the church, to consider how I might be called to serve - and be willing to receive. It may be in doing. It may be in resting. It may be in ‘being’. I will endeavour to be open minded and expect to meet God in places familiar and new.
As we weave our way through the coming year, we will meet each other in different ways and God will be very present and at work in that weaving. New and well-worn threads are all part of the great picture. All are welcome!

Ed

Sunday 31^st August
Worship at 10.30am led by Revd Jill Marsh

Morning Worship is available to access via the usual zoom link

Coffee and tea are available after morning service

Circuit Welcome Service for Rev Becki Stennett followed by Bring and Share cake and savoury snacks. Thursday 4th September 7pm at Coventry Central Hall

Sunday 7^th September
Worship with Holy Communion at 10.30am led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams

Sunday 14^th September
All age worship at 10.30am led by Bill Holdforth

Sunday 21^st September
Worship at 10.30am led by Clive Marsh
Meditative worship at 6.30pm by Local Arrangement

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

Methodist Prayer Handbook
-with daily readings and prayers from around the UK and the World Church.

If you would like a copy, please speak with Lois or send an email asap. An order will be sent soon. The cost will be around £4.50 - £5 depending on numbers and postage. (We understand that Local Preachers will receive their copy via the Circuit.)

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 shortly…watch this space!

We are a small group who enjoy singing and experimenting with our voices! We practise hymns, some of which are less familiar, cantor led, in rounds, in parts…. Come and see! (Lois, Gill, Chris P, Helen & Bill, Christine K)

Tuesdays

Morning Prayer and Quiet Reflection: 8.45am for 15 minutes online

Intercessory Prayer Group: 11am online.

Evening Bible Study and Fellowship Group 7.30pm at Ray’s restarting on 9^th September & then on 23^rd (ask Ray or Lorna for information)

Wednesdays

Wednesday Worship 7pm. A short act of worship held fortnightly. Coffee available from 6.45pm. Next meeting on 3^rd September

Praying for Church and Community: Fortnightly, starting on Wednesday 3^rd September from 7.45 to around 8.30pm

Everyone is welcome to come to either or both of these.

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)

CTEC Prayer Breakfast will take place in EMC at 8am on Saturday 6th September. We gather in the church for a short service led by Rev Doreen followed by a simple breakfast in Wellspring. All are very welcome.

There is an Ecumenical Fellowship group in Earlsdon which started in the days of the Earlsdon Council of Churches and has been running for well over 30 years. When Judy and I joined, the Rev Everard Perrens was the moving spirit and we met in the home of Irene Lomas. We now meet at 2.00pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Victor’s home.

There are seven regular members, four C of E, two Methodist and one Catholic. We study the Bible, often by following a course, and are currently looking at Hebrews with an online commentary by Fr Richard Ounsworth, a Catholic Monk of Holy Cross Priory, Leicester. We have a lot of fun, starting the meeting with tea/coffee and biscuits and by catching up for a few minutes with each other’s news and putting the world right. We usually finish around 4.00pm.

We would love to welcome a few more members and if you are interested have a word with Ethel Martin or Victor Keene.

Eco-Corner

O is for Organic

Why is organic food so expensive?

Organic farmers observe high standards of animal welfare.
Parts of the farm are left fallow to increase soil health.
They use crop rotation, strong environmental practices and skilled techniques rather than depending on chemicals.
This is labour intensive and gives lower yields.

Why is non-organic food often so much cheaper?
Non-organic food is cheaper because it’s produced using intensive methods on larger farms which receive large farming subsidies.

BUT there are hidden costs to society such as cleaning up river and soil contamination; managing animal sickness epidemics; reduction in biodiversity; additional pressure on the NHS due to chemically induced sickness.
These can cost tax-payers millions of pounds.

Beyond Food
We use many chemicals in our lives, in cleaning and beauty products for example. Some of these have the potential to harm our health, giving us asthma or skin irritations, even cancer or hormone disruptions. Buying organic reduces our exposure to these.
If we don’t want to eat chemicals, do we want to put them on our skin, hair or teeth? There are organic alternatives on the market or we could make our own.

Action points:

Reduce our use of chemical products in our gardens or allotments.
Try environmentally friendly cleaning products or make our own.
Research what chemicals are in our beauty products and find less harmful alternatives. One way of doing this might be to read Skin Deep: The Essential Guide to What’s in the Toiletries and Cosmetics You Use by Pat Thomas (Rodale, 2008)

(Adapted from: ‘L is for Lifestyle’ by Ruth Valerio)

Macmillan Cancer Support
If you are making jam, dividing plants, pickling produce or baking cakes, please put aside any you can spare ready for the Macmillan Coffee Morning at the end of September at which we will be having a sales table as well as hot drinks and cakes in Wellspring. Many thanks.

WOODSIDE AVENUE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
We had a lovely afternoon last Tuesday in the garden of Sue and Brian Davies enjoying homemade cakes, tea and biscuits.
We will be gathering again on Tuesday, 9th September, at 2pm, at the church. This will be a "Last Night of the Proms" session - we will enjoy listening, and joining in with, music and songs from this famous festival, learn something about its history and share memories. Do you have any memories of the Proms you could share with us? Come and join us. Our Earlsdon friends are always welcome.

Kathleen Wykes

Events coming up:
Circuit Welcome Service for Rev Becki Stennett followed by Bring and Share cake and savoury snacks. Thursday 4th September 7pm at Coventry Central Hall

Circuit Outdoor Gathering Coombe Abbey Saturday 20^th September from 11am. Bring a picnic. More information will be in Circuit News

If you are intending to go and could offer transport, please let us know. Equally if you need a lift, please get in touch. We hope to travel in as few cars as possible.

(Lorna, Lois, Ethel, Sarah L – your local ‘Eco-bods’)

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), 29/08/2025

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