Please light a candle for the New Year and pray for peace
In his first letter of the new year, Paul says that "... welcoming people is hugely important, because each and every one of us can play a part in welcoming others and, because, as a church community, we long to be - and be seen and known to be - a welcoming, hospitable presence in the wider community of which we are part. It is the little things that matter and even the smallest of actions can be transformative."
As you may know, we have had to spend more than we would like to have done because of defects in the building. First was the Coffee Lounge floor, which after a couple of expensive false starts we now seem to have a solution which is working.
We are now in the middle of trying to fix leaks in the 1930's plumbing in the hall where a few exploratory holes have been drilled. Our main problem here is we don't know where the pipes run but we are in the process of trying to map out the circuit.
All this costs money which is one we have joined easyfundraising where by shopping online via a number of well known retailers, those retailers will donate a percentage of the sale to our fund at no cost to the shopper or to ourselves.
For more information and to join the scheme please go to our Fundraising web page.
Anyone who fancies a cup of tea or coffee, a slice of cake and a chat is welcome to come along. If you or someone you know is lonely, at a loose end, just passing the church or simply wanting a chat, you are welcome to pop in and join us - the more the merrier!
We meet from 2.30 to 4pm on Fridayson the following dates,
After a break for Christmas, Big Brunch is back. Please note that, due to a clash of bookings, we have had to move from the March 16th date onto April 6th. It will cost you £4 for the full English breakfast but other options are available. We look forward to seeing you there, between 10.30am and 1pm on the following dates:
Merton Citizens is an alliance of 17 faith, education and community institutions working together for the common good. Over the past year members have spoken to over 9,000 local people to identify the issues that we care about and deternmine what needs to change. Please download a copy of their 2018 Local Election Manifesto and their Impact report, Merton.
We are looking within our church for a Mental Health Champion for which training will be given. Could that be you? If you want to know more then please Contact Us.
Christian CARE is a charity working in the London Borough of Merton. They are a group of 40 volunteers from 16 different churches offering help to anyone whatever their race, colour or religion. Each year over 150 families, whose lives are in crisis, are supported. They are always in need of food, clothes and furniture, so please follow the link to their website for their latest requirements.
Several people from Martin Way volunteer for Christian Care. If you are interested please look at their Volunteers page and get in touch.
To see if a particular room is available for your event go to our Contact Us page where you can check before emailing your enquiry to our Booking Secretary. Alternatively, you can check by clicking Check availability.
| Sunday 3rd | 10:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Holy Communion) |
| Sunday 10th | 10:30 | David Eagle (Morning Worship) |
| Sunday 17th | 10:30 | Brenda Cannon (Morning Worship) |
| Sunday 24th | 10:30 | Tony Loft (Cafe Worship) |
| 18:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Holy Communion) |
| Sunday 3rd | 10:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Morning Worship) |
| 16:00 | Rev Emma Aikins (Circuit service at Ruxley Methodist Church) |
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| Sunday 10th | 10:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Morning Worship) |
| Sunday 17th | 10:30 | Valerie Ashcroft (Morning Worship) |
| 18:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Holy Communion) | |
| Sunday 24th | 10:30 | David Eagle (Morning Worship) |
| Sunday 31st | 10:30 | Rev Paul Timmis (Cafe Worship) |
In view of the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) coming into effect on Friday, 25 May 2018, we have updated our Privacy Policy to detail how we collect, store and handle your personal data to reassure you that your data is safe with us. Please by left-click to read or right-click to download on the following link - MWMC GDPR Data Privacy Notice
You have gifted the Church
through the goodness of your Grace
to be your hands and do your work,
to be your voice and share your words,
to bring healing to a fallen world
and broken lives make whole.
You have gifted your people
with the blessings of your Spirit,
the power to transform lives
and make all things new.
Now may our hearts receive,
our mouths proclaim,
our hands prepare for service,
that the love that we have known
might overflow the lives we live
and pour into the hearts of others,
that all might receive your Grace,
your renewing Spirit and your love.
Amen
©John Birch
Clicking on the Bible reference below will display the full bible text in another window courtesy of BibleGateway
Late in the 7th century BC the little kingdom of Judah was internally corrupt and externally threatened by the rising power of Babylon. Jeremiah (probably the son of a priest) had the unenviable task of articulating Divine Judgement.
True happiness
It is natural to question the stories of Christ's resurrection. Last week we read Paul's careful list of reported appearances. In this succeeding passage he endeavours to reassure those who have doubts.
Parallel with St. Matthew's familiar "Sermon on the Mount" we hear St. Lukes shorter "Sermon on the Plain". Notice the make-up of the audience - a large inner circle of 'disciples' and a much larger cosmopolitan 'general public'. Jesus' outrageous reversal of accepted values remains something we have to take account of.
The February 2019 Newsletter is now available. To keep up to date with events at Martin Way, left-click to read or right-click to download on the Newsletter cover.
Please let us know if there is any way in which we can be of service to you by contacting us via the Contact us page. All communications will be treated in the strictist confidence.
Do you know anyone who has dementia or is caring for someone suffering with dementia then you may find the organisation "Dementia Friends" helpful.
Dementia Friends is an organisation about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help.
The Merton Dementia Hub is a unique community based service for people with dementia, their family and carers.
Their address is:
67 Whitford Gardens
Mitcham CR4 4AA
Tel: 020 8687 0922
Please click on an event for further details. If you would like to have an event or meeting added to the calendar please email details to enquiries@martinway.org.uk or via the Contact us page.
Would you like to follow a Bible Study, but don't know where to start? Then why not go to A Word in Time on the Methodist Church web site and follow this week's Bible Study.
The Community page showcases organisations which have chosen Martin Way as a place where they feel they can offer further services to the community. Most are regular long-standing bookings. Have a look to see if any strike a chord with you.
Please pray for others known to you who are ill, bereaved, in need of encouragement or just in need of a friendly word, especially if you're the one able to give it. It could mean so much to them.