Good News! 

Good New Stories for this week 18 December 2020
The Methodist Church, Stoke-on-Trent South Circuit Collected by Hil Hands (local preacher)
Dear friends,
2 Corinthians 9:15
 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The first Christmas was simple - ours can be too!
All over the world, people have needed to prepare for Christmas in different ways this year. For many, that may have involved online shopping and e-cards. For some it will have meant thinking ‘out of the box’ as we look for new ways in which to share the nativity story with others. We know of YouTube Church services available online, Zoom Carols for people to access from the warmth of their homes and a drive-in Carol service too!  Our youngest son has recorded his class nativity with his Year 1 bubble, and they appear, dressed in those shepherd and wise men costumes we all know and love so well, with smiles that will be treasured forever on the videos sent home.
Surely that is our prayer this Christmas – that people would understand, and treasure forever how:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign
Christina Rossetti.

Our ‘Good News’ sheet has enabled us to give thanks to God for the many ways in which His love has brought light into a sometimes-dark year. Thank God for the continuing work of Key workers. Thank God for the wonderful ways in which churches and communities have reached out to their neighbours. Thank God for the technology which has enabled such outreach.
So, let’s keep it up? During our ‘simple Christmas’ let us all listen out for the whisper of the Holy Spirit, encouraging new ways to share God’s love in the New Year.
2 Corinthians 13:11
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. Amen.
Happy Christmas and God Bless
If you have good news, please let me know: email - hands.hilary@yahoo.com. Please send news to me by Friday 29 January, ready for that weekend.

From Superintendent Minister, Rev Linda Catlow
The West End Methodist Church, Community Centre and Café has been busy over this Covid Time.  The Café has been closed to the public during lockdown one and two, plus whilst in Tier Three, but our staff have still been serving our community.  They received a grant from the Council which enabled them to feed the vulnerable and lonely in the community.  On Wednesday and Thursday’s our chef would cook a feast then staff and volunteers would deliver the meals.  On Thursday 9 December a special meal went out, 55 Christmas Dinners were cooked and delivered. Also, last week Christmas bags were put together and delivered to families who usually come to our Munch Club. This is held during the school holidays for those who would usually receive a free school meal. THANK YOU to all the staff and volunteers of the West End.
Trentham Methodist Church formed an Events Team a few years ago.  They have been amazing over this Covid time.  Once a month they send out a craft activity envelope to every member of Trentham Methodist.  Some they deliver on foot and some they post. We gain a lot of joy from these small packages which contain a variety of quizzes, crafts, cards, origami, colouring and always a message of love and care to the church family. The church family are very appreciative of these packages of love.  THANK YOU to the Trentham Events Team. 

From Norman (Local Preachers Secretary)
I am delighted to share the good news that both Jo Powell and Lee Thomas have both successfully completed their local preaching studies and will be accredited in the New Year at a special Circuit service. This has involved a lot of hard work and study and their preaching ministry will be a blessing to our Circuit. In addition to this Rody Riguerre of The West End Church has moved to the next stage of his preaching journey and is now "on trial".
Norman
From Stuart and Sylvia - Update on Ashley
We were delighted to welcome Ashley home on Friday 13 November.  He had been in hospital two days short of six months.  He is doing really well. His blood sugars are keeping a constant level such that he has been told that unless they go over 10, he doesn't have to take his insulin. He is still getting the odd episodes of pain but nothing dramatic.  Our biggest problem with him is getting him off his computer where he is playing games with his friends nearly all day.  We can't complain though because earlier on, we were unsure whether he would make it or not, let alone play on a computer.  Thank you once again for all of your prayers and support.  He still needs that.  He is still quite weak but very positive so thank you all so much.
God bless, Stuart and Sylvia

A prayer for the church (Christian Aid)
May your love that never fails
strengthen the weak
encourage the fearful
calm the anxious
heal the sick
through your church –
your washed hands
and feet on earth –
distant but still present
virtual but still connected
apart but still helping.
God in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Amen.

Love never fails (Christian Aid)
Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope.
Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far.
Love compels us to give and act as one.
Now it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before.
As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family.
So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.