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Congleton
Circuit Prayer Labyrinth
On Maundy Thursday
and Good Friday, 2004, there was a multi-media experience at
Trinity Methodist
Church,
Wagg Street, Congleton, involving a contemporary version of a traditional
cathedral Prayer Labyrinth. For
background information on what prayer labyrinths are all about, see the
article about Prayer
Labyrinths. Here are samples of what it
looked like at Trinity. |
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 A Limb of The Labyrinth Tree |
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 [These
photos are clips taken from larger
photos] |
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A
prayer labyrinth was a very new venture for Trinity Methodist
Church. Many who came had no idea what it would be like, so it was
very impressive that people put their fears and hesitations to one side
and came to try it. Participants were invited to comment on their
experiences on a leaf, which was then hung on a tree near the exit.
In all, about 80 leaves were hung and the feedback was overwhelmingly
positive. Typical comments were 'thought provoking', 'inspiring',
'moving', 'awesome' and 'reflective and peaceful'.
A labyrinth is designed to express faith in a relevant and meaningful way in today's world, though it is difficult to describe the substance of it to those who have not experienced it. The labyrinth at Trinity revitalised people's faith and made a fitting start to the Easter weekend. It included stunning computer representations created by David Pickles, which were immediately requested by Elmer End church for their own labyrinth. The flexible layout of Trinity church proved to be invaluable. Chairs could be cleared and the labyrinth laid out starting at one end and filling most of the length of the church. The beautiful windows also lent to the atmosphere. Quiet music added to that atmosphere as people wove their way around the intricate pattern, moving between the eleven meditations and activities. The path was a preparation for an encounter with God at the centre. The path from the centre then took people back out to the world. Many people found the experience very affirming and a reminder of how much they are accepted by God's love, which was particularly appropriate in the Good Friday session. Sylvia Harrison [adapted
from an article published in |
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Mums & Toddlers Group at Trinity oversubscribed
But don't be put off. The situation is always changing. Put your name down and watch this space. Contact Judith Talbot or Glenice Weston via the Superintendent Minister. While children play, it's an opportunity for Mums, Dads, Grans and anyone else who is a carer to make conversation and make friends. Drinks and biscuits are provided. The group is for children from baby age until school age. We have toys for the younger ones, craft activities for the older ones and sing-songs for all. There is a break for refreshments. We meet in Trinity church hall, Wagg St, Congleton, on Tuesdays, from 10:00 until 11:30. |
Congleton Circuit Youth Fellowship Formed
The Sunday Night Youth Fellowship (SNYF) group at Trinity have formed closer ties with Wellspring's Youth Alive group (previously known as the Wellspring Youth Team), to bring a circuit feeling to the combined group. The group is for young people aged 12 and upwards. Come along and join us. You will be made most welcome. Contact Avril Waghorn via the Superintendent Minister. We have our joint meetings at Westwood House, next to Trinity Church. Meeting time is 7.45 PM on Sundays. The programme of activities is very varied: from serious to fun. One meeting was called 'Chocolate', where the group were told the history of chocolate -- and of course tasted it and drank it for the next hour. A
Sample Programme
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Quatercentenary of King James’s Authorised Version of the Bible Celebrations at Hampton Court |
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Methodism Facing a Time of Radical Change [from notes on Methodist Conference, 24 June 2003, published on the web site of the Methodist Church in Great Britain] A paper, “Where are we heading?” suggests that the Church is facing a time of radical institutional change. Rising costs, inappropriate organisational structures, the burden of inappropriate or too many buildings and the strain of trying to ‘fill vacant offices’ from a declining and ageing membership, all challenge Methodist members. This will open up a discussion by the Conference on a possible future in which the Church recovers confidence in its faith and worship and encourages a risk-taking, flexible and focused mission. |
In 2004 visitors to Hampton
Court Palace were transported back 400 years in celebration of the
anniversary of two key events in King James VI's court of 1604:
Shakespeare's debut performance before the King in the Great Hall, plus the Hampton Court
Conference which led to the commissioning of the King
James 'authorised version' of the Bible.
In January 1604, soon after the Christmas and New Year festivities, King James convened a conference at the palace in an attempt to resolve continuing religious conflict. The Hampton Court Conference resulted in the commissioning of a new English translation of the Bible, possibly the single most important publication to date for our country as it gave literature to the masses. In 2004, in celebration of these auspicious events, Hampton Court Palace came alive with exhibitions, dramatic presentations and tours reflecting the influence of drama and literature on the Jacobean court. Costumed guides representing court personalities of 1604, including actors in the King's Men troop, diplomats and ambassadors, Bishops, court gossips and King James himself, interacted with visitors, sharing their stories of court life and the events that took place here in 1604! |
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| Professor
Albert Friedlander of the Council for Christians and Jews, stated in an
interview on BBC Radio 4 that this much talked about film from Mel Gibson is a historical fiction, not true to the
researched history of those times, or the Christian faith, or the
Christian gospel.
He felt that its characters are 'black and white' portrayals, e.g. Pilate, the Roman magistrate, is portrayed as saintly; whereas Caiaphus, the high priest, is portrayed as a villain. And, simplistically, there is no discrimination between the Sadducees (traditionalist, conservative, reactionary), and Jesus’s ‘party’, the Pharisees (progressive). |
'The Passion of the Christ'
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He felt that the film whips up emotion in an unacceptable way, portraying violence, cruelty, a baying mob and flogging. In Professor Friedlander's opinion, we don’t need even more violence in our lives than we have already, through he likes of the Madrid bombings. Rather, the world needs to use rational thinking more. In the same interview, Christian Odone, ex editor of the Catholic Herald, said she believed that Gibson is a visionary in his own right, and she felt that visionaries have a strong appeal at the moment. She stated that viewing this film will lead to renewed or strengthened faith. |
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This is Magazine Page 3 |
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