1. From Rev Paul Wilson ....
During the last year many new people have started to worship with us. We warmly welcome all newcomers and hope that those, who have come, now feel that they belong to Knutsford Methodist Church. All are welcome to join us for any of our Sunday or mid-week Services, whether simply visiting or looking to find a Church to which to belong. If you would like to discuss any aspect of Church-membership, please will you contact me (kmc.office@zen.co.uk or 01565 633276) to arrange a conversation - alternatively you can normally find me in our Church's community centre on Mondays and Fridays from 10.00am to 11.00am.
Paul
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2. From Martyn & Rosemary J - about 'Alpha' ....
Would you be interested in exploring the Christian faith further through 'Alpha' or within Home Groups? Our current course (the third in our most recent series) started in January 2008. Those of us who have helped with Alpha never cease to be amazed how God breaks through into people's lives, revealing Jesus personally through the working of His Holy Spirit. We read about, we hear about it, but it is wonderful when we see it actually happen to people we know. We thank God that we have been privileged to enjoy the fun, the fellowship, the food and the challenges that Alpha has opened up. Please pray for this present course, both for those attending and for those leading. For anyone, who may be interested in, or wondering about, joining an Alpha Course (now or in the future), please feel free to contact Elaine P or Rosemary& Martin J - via the Church Office (Knutsford 652251).
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3. Thanks.

From Eric B....
Many thanks for the letter and gift-token from Knutsford Methodist Church. I was surprised and delighted at this gesture. It has always been my pleasure to play the organ at various churches around Cheshire - for the past almost 70 years! - without any expectation of reward, except that people have enjoyed the music.

From Betty D....
I would like to say thank you to all my friends at Knutsford Methodist Church for your love and prayers during Stanley's illness. It was such a comfort to me to know that you were there for us.

From Elizabeth H...
Thank you to everyone at Knutsford Methodist Church for the lovely flowers recently received from the Communion Table. They have been greatly appreciated.

From Gill F...
Our usual trip to Gawsworth open-air theatre is on theFriday, 27th June (Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"). Tickets are £14.00 (to include entrance to the Hall). As usual, and weather permitting, we will meet for a picnic from 3.30pm. Please contact me (via the Church office: Kn. 652251) if you would like tickets.

From David W...
Thank you so much for your letter and generous cheque. This will, I know, be put to good use in the Salud y Paz clinic in Guatemala. I was made to feel very welcome. You obviously have an effective team of lay and ordained folk working together in the Circuit, and I wish you every blessing in all your mission activity.
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4. From Mary G about Christian radio sites
At one of our meetings of the Mereheath Lane House Group I happened to mention that I listened regularly to a Christian broadcast via my TV. Others in the group were not familiar with these Christian radio sites, and how they were available through the TV or computer.

So for the benefit of others in the church, and elsewhere, who may be interested, here are details of just two of the stations available. They broadcast a mixture of (usually) modern worship-songs interspersed with Bible-readings and discussions.

(1) UCB - the publisher of 'The Word For Today', the booklet of daily readings with which many of us are familiar. UCB has a variety of sites from Bible readings, to inspirational music and talks. On the computer you can listen to them on www.ucb.co.uk. If you have Sky Digital, the channels are 0125, 0134, 01235, 0136 (and others!) or, if you have Virgin media cable channels, the number is 914.

(2) Premier Christian radio - their programmes can be heard via their computer website www.premier.org.uk, on Sky Digital 0123 or on Virgin Media 968. Enjoy!
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5. Friends and Fellowship
The month of September last year saw several celebrations amongst a group of friends of a certain age at Knutsford Methodist Church - birthdays and ruby weddings. As I looked at these friends of many years standing, I reflected how they have helped me through some very low times in my life.

They have offered very practical help, but also have sustained me spiritually. They know me almost as well as I know myself, and see through my pretences. I can never thank them enough and wonder how I would have managed without them.

I wonder if there are some people, who feel on the outside, perhaps struggling alone in difficult circumstances. Can I encourage you to join one of the many fellowship groups within our Church (or a Church near to you). Mingling in the congregation on Sundays there are so many people, but going along to, say, a Bible Study group, you would meet a few people informally. As you study God's word together, firm friendships are forged, and you would have your own support-network for life! Of course, it does work both ways, and you will find yourself caring for others.

Some of you might also be interested in joining our weekly Tuesday Senior Citizen's lunches. We now have over 40 attendees on our list, with an average of 35-36 present each week.

Click HERE to check the fellowship groups at Knutsford Methodist Church. If you want to book for a Senior Citizen's lunch or chat to leader of any particular Fellowship Group, please speak to Liz H or Brenda W via the Church Office (Kn. 652251) who will set this up for you. It's always easier to enter the fray if you've already found an ally.

I pray you will take that first step, because I know you will be richly blessed.
Jan P
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6. About the Methodist Prayer Handbook ...
Do you know about the prayer-handbook? There are normally one or two copies kept in the Church's Prayer Room.

What is MPH and how can it help you to focus your prayers?

This is a booklet re-published annually by the Methodist Publishing House, so it is kept up-to-date. Basically there is a double-page spread for each day of a 31-day month, the Church Overseas being on the left-hand page and the various Districts of the British Church on the right-hand side. The Overseas side covers two or three Districts of the Church, with paragraphs written usually by a national person giving thanks for the many good things and making petitions for the needs of those particular churches. It also lists the Mission-partners who are serving overseas - some of course personally known to us.

I add names of people, who are not necessarily partners from G.B. but those I want to remember to pray for, e.g. on Day 22 (Japan and Korea) I pray for Song-Ah-Chee (formerly a Time-for-God at our Church), and on Day 26, one of the Europe pages, I have pencilled in Rikke Nilsson (who preceded Song-ah) - you could add those you wished to pray for - you would do so by this means once a month.

On the right-hand page there are short paragraphs about each District of the Church in G.B. in turn. We come in on Day 19 (Manchester and Stockport District), and the 2006/7 issue mentions Rev'd Cris Acher and Nexus. On this side of the page I pencil in names of people who have gone from our Church, whom I want to remember in prayer but would otherwise forget, e.g. on Day 27 (W.Yorkshire) I pray for Hilary Ewing and on Day 21 for Caroline. You can, in fact, use this guide in any way you want to. It is a great aide-memoire!

The new one comes out in July-August each year with the changes after the Conference. I'm sure copies may be ordered through any Christian Bookseller but if you'd like to 'give it a go' I'd be delighted to order yours, with mine, from the Methodist Publishing House. The price is about £2.25 (a little more for a large print version).

I forgot to say there are small illustrations and maps; I love my Methodist Prayer Handbook and wouldn't like to be without it. I use a bit of it at nearly every meeting of my House Group.

If you'd like a copy via me, please let me know by the end of June (contact via the Church Office, Knu.652251).