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Welcome to Earlsdon Methodist Church
Newsletter and Notices
Number 279: 18.01.26
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 a lot of information in this week’s newsletter, so I won’t delay you with a long editorial. We have a letter from Steward Steve, updates of church family members, our diary of news and events, and a Christmas hymn which many will be familiar with.
Yes, we are still in the season of Christmas! The nativity scene on the fireplace at home stays in place up to Candlemas. I like this tradition and it also conveniently postpones the climb up into the loft space to put everything away until next year. Reflecting on the amount of junk / boxes of precious memories which face me when I do poke my head into the dusty cavity might well provide rich pickings for a literary ramble sometime. However not now. I promised to be brief.
Ed
Sunday 18th January
Worship at 10.30am led by David Kershaw
Meditative worship at 6.30pm with ‘Pulse’
Morning Worship is available to access via the usual zoom link
Coffee and tea are available after morning service
Sunday 25th January
Worship at 10.30am led by Alison Gee
Sunday 1st February
Annual Methodist Covenant Service with Holy Communion at 10.30am led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams
Church Family News
Joanne (daughter of Betty Crofts) and family would like to thank everyone at EMC for their messages of condolence, cards and donations on behalf of Betty. Everyone's kindness was such a comfort at this sad time. Thank you all.
Ros Light is gradually making progress towards more stability, whilst remaining in hospital in Cambridge. She is very appreciative of messages of support and encouragement. We continue to hold her, along with Kathryn & family, in our prayers.
Ali Verney sends his greetings and wishes us all a Happy New Year. He has been given a job as a voluntary teaching assistant at Cheylesmore Community Centre, helping visually impaired people with their Maths lessons. He is feeling very positive about this and hopes it may lead to a paid role.
Circuit Outdoor Worship. Winter seasonal gathering. Saturday 17th January at Coombe Abbey. Arrive 10.45 for 11am start at the café area. Gentle walking, worship and fun for all ages. (Approx 1 hour)
A Letter from Steve Fox:
Hi all,
Happy new year, I hope you all had a great Christmas time, and are refreshed and ready to jump into a period of being the salt and light for the World. It’s a big responsibility we are commissioned with, and sometimes it feels like mighty mountain to climb, do we have the right equipment in our backpack to accomplish this?
Our Vision Group and steward team met last week, and out of it we have some things to work on.
One item that was raised was house group meetings. Historically this has been a backbone of Methodist life, a safe place where we can meet, discuss and explore our faith.
Presently we have one main house group, that I know of, which meet fortnightly on a Tuesday, at Ray’s house. This group has grown and flourished, obviously there musty be really good tea and cake available. But we heard that this group is now at capacity, no more chair space left. So it was suggested that another group or groups be started.
So to this end, please consider whether this is something you might like to be a part of. I haven’t been to this present group, but in the past I was part of a house group, and we had great times of fellowship, bible study and discussion.
It isn’t always possible to get into discussion with others on a Sunday morning, or to hear others’ points of view or take on Bible passages, but in smaller more informal groups this can help to encourage and grow our own faith, and strengthen the bonds of fellowship which underpin our Church family life.
So please let me or one of our lovely steward team know if you would be interested in being part of a new group/s.
Also raised was our newest prayer group. This group have been meeting after Wednesday worship, to pray for our Church, our activities and endeavours and for outside groups who use our facilities. There hasn’t been a great many people taking part in this, and we are wondering if this time slot may not be the best one.
So please take a moment and contemplate whether you would like to take part even occasionally, and what might be the best time for this to take place.
Again, contact one of the stewards or Lorna, who is presently coordinating this prayer group.
I’m sure there will be more things that come out of these Vision Group meetings, I was very encouraged by the number of people who participated in this last one. It tells me that we care about our Church life, and want to sustain and grow it. The meeting is open to anyone, whether you are a member or not. It’s your chance to let your stewards know, what you like, or not, what we as a church could do better and how, and to let us know new ideas of how we can express our faith.
As you will have heard after this April we won’t have a designated minister, so groups such as this will be crucial to the continued running of Earlsdon Church, so please don’t assume it can run itself, time to step up.
Also raised at this meeting, the Community Carol service was amazing, and we felt that we would like something similar at another time. Someone suggested that maybe we could hold another event, on the Church anniversary. So an idea is being formulated, to have a concert/time of sharing on that Sunday afternoon, followed by a birthday tea. What do you think? We would welcome any suggestions of people who might take part. I have suggested to my Panache Friday steel band that we take part, so any other ideas are very welcome. Let us know. It will be 26th April.
And finally,(phew you say) time is fast approaching to vote on a new member/s to the steward team. So please give it prayerful consideration, let me know if you are interested. Usually nominations are requested for the AGM, so you have a few weeks to think about it, we really need to maintain a good number in this team, which helps spread the work load, and gives us a balanced leadership.
It could be you in chUrch? (Sorry)
Steve
Wellspring Café
Thursdays & Fridays 9.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. Saturday 9.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon
The usual menu of drinks and light food is available. Prayer Shawl knitters meet on Thursdays
Mondays
Eco-Meeting online. 19th January, 7.30pm. All welcome
‘ Come and Sing!’ 7.30pm in Church. Next Meeting 26th January
Tuesdays
Intercessory Prayer Group: 11am online
Evening Bible Study and Fellowship Group 7.30pm at Ray’s fortnightly. Next meeting 27th January
Wednesdays
Prayers and Bears 9.30am in term time (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.
Resuming 14th January
Wednesday Worship 7pm. A short act of worship held fortnightly. Coffee available from 6.45pm. Next meeting 21st January.
Praying for Church and Community: Fortnightly, and next meeting on 21st January, following worship from 7.45 to around 8.30pm. This meeting can be attended in Wellspring or online, using the usual Sunday worship link
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)
The first of 2 scheduled 'Healthier Winter Clubs' is happening at Queen's Road Baptist Church this coming Monday (19th of January). This is for ANYONE who would like some more help with the pressures winter often brings.
Please do come along. You can just drop in.
CTEC FELLOWSHIP MEAL
The annual CTEC Fellowship Meal will be on Saturday 24th January 2026. This year it will be held at St Mary Magdalen's church, Chapelfields at 6 for 6.30pm. The cost is £9 per person. The evening will include a talk about the CTEC Charity for 2026 which is 'Clothing Coventry'.
Our church has been allocated 10 tickets. Please see Lorna Warrener if you would like a ticket.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
We will be taking donations to Carriers of Hope at the end of January.
There is a box in Wellspring for donations of
· Food (long-life e.g. tinned, packets, bottles); Toiletries
· Household cleaning products; Baby food, nappies
All donations are welcome but if it’s anything other than items on this list, please check with either of us as they may have to be taken to a different location. Thanks.
David & Lynda Pinks
Prayers for Church and Community
At the Vision Group meeting last week it was suggested that we include in the newsletter the particular church and community activities which we will be praying for at the next meeting of Prayers for Church and Community. This is, as you know, held fortnightly after Wed Worship. When we meet next Wednesday we will be praying for:
Church Groups: - the Property and Finance Committee and the Monday evening singing group
Community Groups meeting on our premises: - the Earlsdon Crafters and the 'Say Something in Welsh' group
People who are unable to meet with us on a Wednesday evening might like to remember these groups in their own personal prayers next week
WOODSIDE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
We meet again on Tuesday afternoon, 27th January, at 2pm (at the church) when we will enjoy a talk and demonstration of crafts by our own Margaret Adler. Followed, of course, by a refreshing cup of tea and biscuits.
FUTURE DATES
10th February - "Daddy Fell into the Pond" and other humorous poems
24th February - Potters Village in Uganda - Phil Godfrey from Solihull Rotary will give a talk about this project
10th March - "Who do you think I am?" - an Open Meeting sharing our memories
24th March - Musical Afternoon from a local Ensemble
Our Earlsdon friends are welcome to join us at any of our meetings.
Kathleen Wykes
Baby Godiva Appeal
January is a tough month for many, and requests to us for help are through the roof showing that.
We are completely out of stage one formula.
Can you please consider donating a tin? Picking one up when you shop will help a struggling mum feed a hungry baby.
We also need baby first foods and snacks, and nappies.
You can donate to us at 10 Napier St. CV1 5PR Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm
Events coming up:
CTEC Meal at St Mary Magdelene Church, Saturday 24th January, 6 for 6.30pm.. Tickets £9 from Lorna
Quaker Meeting House Fundraising Concert. Saturday 7th February. 1.30 for 2pm at the Meeting House, 25 Hill Street, Coventry
Church Council Thursday19th February 7.30pm in Wellspring
Lois Talbot (Web version by Tim W), 16/01/2026
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