District News – 17 March 2026

Stories from across the District

We are looking forward to hearing what your church is doing/did during Lent and Easter. Do send in stories and photos!

MWiB Afternoon Tea

Thursday 26 March 2:00 pm

Join us at Bents Green Methodist Church for an afternoon tea with stalls.
Dr. Ken Dunn MBE will be present representing his charity 'Africa's Gift' . He will also have a stall of gifts and a video about the charity's work. All welcome.

Sad news from UTU

Christine Geoghan who was our Assistant Librarian for many years, has sadly died.
We give thanks for all her work alongside Patsy in the moving and re-cataloguing of our library. This was so important in ensuring our Library was kept to a professional standard.
We send our condolences to her husband, Michael.

District News

Communication Survey

Have you filled our survey in yet? It is helpful to know how you find out what is happening in our District, and to know if there is anything we could do to improve it!
Communications Survey

Why come to the District Gathering?

Many of us are asking the same question: how do our churches connect meaningfully with the communities around us?
At our district gathering on April 18th, we will be exploring the practice of community organising, a way of working that begins not with projects or strategies but with listening.
Research and experience show that when communities are genuinely listened to, relationships grow, trust deepens, and new possibilities for change and hope emerge.
Together we will explore practical ways churches can listen to their neighbourhoods, notice where God is already at work, and respond alongside local people.
If you care about the future of our churches and our communities, this conversation is for you.
I would encourage you not only to come yourself, but also to invite others from your churches who care about their neighbourhoods and the future of the church’s mission. It will be wonderful to see people coming together to learn, reflect, and imagine what this might look like in our own communities.
Look forward to seeing you
Book your place here

WhatsApp Channel

Have you found our channel yet?

This does not replace the newsletter, but will be another place where you can find our weekly prayer, links to book onto District events and other resources. The advantage of a WhatApp message is that you can then very easily share a single message with others among your own contacts, helping to spread the word!
Scan the QR code on your phone to find the channel!

GDPR Annual Checklist

TMPC (Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes) have announced that the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) checklist for 2026 is now live. It is very similar to previous years – the biggest change is that they have moved from using Google to Microsoft. You can find out more here: Annual Checklist

As in previous years, I have set aside some time for online support sessions to be held on Zoom. These are planned for:

• Thursday 19 March at 10:30 or 1:00pm

You can book a place here: GDPR Support

Other News

Does Your Church Stream or Record its Worship Services?

Across the Methodist Church, hundreds of churches are streaming worship every week – but most are figuring it out alone. What equipment works? Which platform? What about copyright? Can we legally stream that hymn? What if someone in the congregation doesn't want to be on camera?
We're putting together an Online Worship Toolkit to bring all of this together in one place: practical guidance on copyright, platform comparisons, consent templates, accessibility tips and real examples from churches that are making it work.
If your church streams or records services, please take ten minutes to fill in our survey. Whether you've been doing this for years or you're just getting started, your experience will shape what we produce.
online-worship-survey

Step by Step: Nurturing Growth

Want to Grow Ministry with Children, Youth or Families?
Are you exploring new ways to support children, young people, young adults or families in your church or community?
Join our community of practice as we explore how to grow children, youth and family ministry in your local contexts. Through the five-session programme, we will offer space to learn with and support each other, with opportunities to apply and feedback on what you’ve learned.
Find out more here

Upcoming Events

Bolsover Celebrates 200 Years of Methodism 1826 – 2026

This year Bolsover is celebrating a remarkable milestone — 200 years of Methodism in the town.
Following the discovery of a stone embedded in the back wall of Bolsover Methodist Church, dated 1826, it was decided that this important piece of our heritage should be celebrated with our Community, Circuit and District. To preserve the stone from further weather damage, it will be professionally cleaned up and re-sited in the Sykes Room within the church, protecting and honouring our shared history.
From very humble beginnings, with many small chapels across the town and surrounding villages, Methodism in Bolsover has evolved over two centuries and today continues its witness at Bolsover Hilltop Methodist Church. The story of this journey is fascinating, and we warmly invite you to explore it through a timeline, photographs and memorabilia charting 200 years of faith and community.

• Launch Service – Sunday 22 March | 10:00am – Led by Revd Vicky Atkins (Chair of the District)
• Exhibition – Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March | 10:00am – 2:00pm – The church will be open daily to view the exhibition, refreshments will be available.
• Concert – Saturday 28 March | 2:00pm – 4:00pm – A special concert by the Staveley and District Churches United Choir, featuring well-known hymns by Charles Wesley. Refreshments will be served, and a retiring collection will be taken in support of Ashgate Hospice.
• Celebration Service & Buffet Tea – Sunday 29 March – Final Celebration service Led by Revd Richard Andrew (President of Conference), followed by a celebration buffet tea. If you would like to stay for tea, please contact Margaret Rowley on 07815 149993 for catering purposes.

There will also be one-off events throughout the year, so please keep an eye out for further details.

Journey to Jerusalem

Bakewell Methodist Church present an Interactive display telling the Easter Story!

The Journey to Jerusalem display takes us through the last days of Jesus’ life: “From Hosanna to He is Risen”.
We see the excitement of the crowds on Palm Sunday and the agony in the garden and on the cross and the joy of the resurrection leading to the truth of the post resurrection experiences that Jesus is alive.
The journey also gives us time for reflection and the opportunity to pray interactively through themes such as justice, peace, love, thanksgiving, healing, families and forgiveness. The display is full of life and colour and hopes to bring the story of our Saviour’s final days to our hearts and minds.
The Easter display “Journey to Jerusalem” will run on Monday to Saturday each week (with refreshments) starting from Monday 23rd March and ending on Easter Monday 6th April 2026.
The times will be 10.00am to 3.00pm
apart from:

• Maundy Thursday 2nd April 10.00am – 12noon only
• Good Friday 3rd April 11.00am – 1.00pm only
• Easter Monday 6th April 10.00am – to 12 noon only

Tenebrae – a concert

Saturday, 28th March 7-8:30pm

An evening of sacred music for the season of Lent including a performance of the Tenebrae Responses by Victoria, a new work, The Ninth Hour, by Eleanor Game and other music on the theme of lament interspersed with readings from poets and writers. All profit from the concert will go to Steel City Choristers.
Venue: Whirlow Spirituality Centre
Tickets £12 (including a glass of wine/soft drink and nibbles).

Office workers' gathering

Thursday 30 April from 9am

The next Gathering for all those involved in church administration will be held at St Thomas Crookes . This is a great time to meet up with others in similar roles, to share experiences and good practice and to offer support and encouragement.
It is organised by the UCAN (UK Church Administrators Network), but is open to all.
To help with the catering, we do ask you book in so we know how many to expect:
Book here
Do pass this invite on to anyone you think might benefit.

Regional Retreat – The woman at the well

There are still some places available on the next Regional Retreat for presbyters, deacons and lay employees at Wydale Hall from 20-22 May 2026.
Donna Worthington (Retreat Leader) will be leading our time together when we will explore: The Woman at the Well: an invitation to journey to the well, to Christ the Living Water. Donna is an experienced retreat giver trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, labyrinth walking and storytelling.
More information and booking details can be found via EventBrite: https://260520RegionalRetreat.eventbrite.co.uk
Bookings close on 1 May

Lay Employees Retreat

3-6 June 2026 – Wydale Hall

The lay employees retreat is like no other. It offers time and space away from work and busy diaries to relax, meet new people and catch-up with old friends. The programme is designed with plenty of choice. There are led sessions and reflections, creative opportunities and freedom to explore the wonderful gardens at Wydale and beyond. A rhythm of prayer and worship is offered, with ample time in the evenings for socialising, either in the bar or through organised activities.
Full details of this year's retreat, including how to book, can be found here: https://260603layretreat.eventbrite.co.uk
The full cost is £270 for an en-suite room or £100 for non-residential (staying off site, but joining in all meals apart from breakfast)
There is an agreement that Districts will support those wishing to attend by giving an automatic 50% subsidy, for those who have not already attended another subsidised Retreat this year.

And finally ...

A prayer in times of uncertainty and change

God of the earth, the sea and the sky, As we look around us we see change and uncertainty:
The effects of the changing seasons on the work of our farmers, and the security of homes and businesses. The power of the sea on our coastline and the catch of fishing boats. The flightpaths of military aircraft pointing towards global political uncertainty. In our churches and communities too, there is change and uncertainly.
May we know your steadfast love, and that in all times and all places you are there. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Angy Long, District Chair, Lincolnshire District