Each year, Helen and I usually meet up with friends to record a list of new year's resolutions and review the previous year's. The first time we did this we had met at Saltram and were sat in the cafe, so the only thing to hand to record the resolutions was a napkin, and we've kept up the tradition for several years. We even managed to do it this year, using the power of Zoom!

This week's Bible passages talk to us of new starts and new beginnings...

Genesis 1 tells us that first story of good coming from nothing, a new beginning, a beginning!

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

In the appointed reading from Mark 1 v4-11, we read of two new beginnings. First we have the new-start of baptism. That confession of sins, forgiveness and a new start, a new life, one filled with the spirit. Later in verse 9 John baptises Jesus and so his ministry to all begins, another new start.

One of the wonderful things about being a Christian is that there can always be another new start. Moreover we can begin each day new, fresh in the presence in the spirit of God. So I challenge you today to think about new beginnings, fresh starts. What might you do differently in your life this year. More time reading the word, more time in prayer, being more positive, gentler on yourself. What might we do differently as a Church this year, what should we do differently as a nation this year?

If we were in church, during a service I'd be asking for ideas, as we're not, have a think about it. I will post the same question on our Facebook page so if you'd like to respond there, please do so.

Whatever the answer let us pray that 2021 brings new beginnings for us, for Church, for nation and globe. A new start is needed and one is at hand.

As to our new year's resolutions, well, I didn't run the half marathon I put down last year!! Maybe I will settle on targeting a mile this year :-)

Blessings and love to you all

Jon, Helen, Josh and Beth
xxxx

P.S. I have updated our website today to reflect the situation and extend a message to those in our community. http://www.elburtonmethodist.org.uk/

Message from Di
Following the advice of the Circuit Leadership Team, EMCC's Church Council has agreed that the Church should be closed until further notice. We have decided to have Zoom services both morning and evening. This week's service will be led by Andy. The Code is: REDACTED please call for details.
with blessings,
Di

FACEBOOK LIVE
Please note as a result of the above there will no longer be an EMCC live stream. If you can not join Zoom you can join with other local churches on-line. As an example Ridgeway have a YouTube service planned for the 10th. You can see that here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDRcrqWEDVyuqnq-IC4v3Q

Upcoming Services (via Zoom)
Morning Services in January
10th Andy Chislett-McDonald
17th Deacon Linda Brown
24th Mary McNaughton
31st Gillian Higgins

Evening Services in January
10th - David Youngs
17th - TBC
24th - Andy Chislett-McDonald
31st - TBC

REDACTED
CONTACTING OUR MINISTER
Rev Andy Chislett-Mcdonald
07960 050355

ANDY's Messages
If you are not already aware Andy is sharing a message everyday during lockdown and you can read this on our facebook page. You don't need a Facebook account to do that, if you come as a guest Facebook behaves like any other website. You can read all his past posts here: https://www.facebook.com/ElburtonMethodist

Contact Details

The NOTICES

Please remember you can get these notices via our notices blog on this page of our website: http://www.elburtonmethodist.org.uk/index.php/notices-blogso if you don't get this email do check there, anytime.

PRAYER

For those who would like to we are continuing our Wednesday prayers, starting at 7pm we are each praying at home. We end at 7:15 with the Lord's prayer. You can find out more on our website.

COFFEE MORNINGS

Please remember Denise hosts a coffee morning at 1030 each Saturday on Zoom, please get in touch for zoom details.

JAM & IMPACT

Jam & Impact are no longer meeting online or in-person.
UNSUBSCRIBE If you've had enough of receiving this notice sheet it's easy to unsubscribe. Please just reply to this email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE.