Good News! 

GOOD NEWS STORIES FOR THIS WEEK - 1 August
The Methodist Church, Stoke-on-Trent South Circuit
Collected by: Hil Hands (Local preacher)
Dear friends,
Over the last couple of days, whilst out in the warm sunshine, I have noticed butterflies. The first one to catch my eye landed on a garden seat and stayed for a while, wings spread wide as it soaked in the warmth from the sunlight.
Whilst weeding yesterday, I was also graced with the company of eight butterflies on the Buddleia in our garden. Most species of butterflies use flower nectar as their main source of food and the sugary nectar gives the butterflies energy and allows them to fly. Life is starting to cautiously ease out of lockdown. My email box is growing in number and the telephone is ringing more often. The calendar has turned to August and notes and appointments are being added.  I am aware that many people have been grateful to have had the time to stop; that being in lockdown and perhaps needing to shield has helped priorities to be reset and time to be managed with a new awareness of balance.
We have balance scales in our kitchen which came with a set of weights. Maybe I am out-of-date, but there is something about using them, about adding the ingredients in one pan to be balanced by the weight in the other, which keeps me grounded. My role when Assistant Head in school was focused upon the well-being of staff and pupils and the need for work/ life balance. As the butterfly needed time to warm up in the sun, so we need time to pray and reflect before acting, to ensure that the son of God is central to our lives each day. As the butterflies replenished their energy from flowers, so we need to put aside time for Bible study and worship to enable our energy levels to be re-filled.  As our roads and town centres become busier and the pace of life once again begins to speed up, let us balance our use of time on our calendars and in everyday life:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
God bless
If you have good news, please let me know: email - hands.hilary@yahoo.com Please send news to me by Friday 7 August, ready for next weekend

From Stuart and Sylvia
Update on Ashley
God continues to answer prayer.  Hallelujah. Things are looking more hopeful. They have now moved him back onto the Paediatric Ward 217 and he is getting stronger and doing some walking with the physios. Yesterday he had a small operation to fit the Hickman line, (nothing to do with us) which goes into a blood vessel rather than a vein so they can do more with it apparently. He has his Nintendo Switch with him and today was asking Jess if he could have the code to access Netflix which apparently you can do for his Nintendo.I am hoping to go tomorrow evening to give Deb a break. Signs are quite good at the moment but he is certainly not out of the woods yet. Thank you all for your continued interest, concern and prayers.  I can assure you that they are very much appreciated
All our love, God bless
Stuart and Sylvia
 
Prayer time
Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake. Amen
 
God of love and hope,
you made the world and care for all creation,
but the world feels strange right now.
The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.
Some people are worried that they might get ill.
Others are anxious for their family and friends.
Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists,
and all who are working to discover the right medicines
to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times,
you are with us.
Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe. Amen.
 
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.