heart summer 2015

8/9/2019 Heart Summer 2015

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P L A N T I N G P O T E N T I A L


2/12

2

S

ix months has passed

since the Winter 2015

Heart Magazine wasdelivered to nearly 6,000 homes

in Fulwood. Thanks so much for all your positive

feedback. We were delighted when

you responded by turning up to Toddler

groups, Wednesday lunches, or to

courses such as our ‘Surviving Teens’

classes or the ‘Sign Nine’ BSL sessions.

You worked hard, learnt a lot and we all

had fun!

This year, Pastor Andrew is

encouraging us to focus on the idea of

‘Planting Potential’ which is why the

Heart cover shows a seedling being

nurtured, not by a single person, but by

a whole team of supportive people.

Andrew (see p6) and the pastoral care

team see real potential for us all to find

peace and wholeness in our sometimes

troubled lives. The team love to support

those who come to them for help.

Andrew illustrates this with his hobby of

woodturning; he sees the potential in a

rough-cut of wood and turns it into a

thing of beauty.

Even those who are happy and

successful are often searching for

something more meaningful in life. Staff

nurse Martin MacDonald shares (p2) how

he found a deeper understanding of

faith, then renewed his musical talent as

he joined one of the church music

groups where he plays the guitar.

From seedlings to saplingsTalking of potential, this year we

celebrated more than 30 young people

from Fulwood Free Methodist Church

being away at universities across thecountry. Four of these students gave

‘Heart’ an insight into how being

mentored and supported throughout

their teens has helped them cope with

the challenges of moving on. (p4)

A seed of faith?Many people have a sense of ‘the

spiritual’ but never ask their burning

questions because, well, who can you

trust to discuss these matters truthfully

and without pressure? Take the plunge,

bring a friend and check out The Venue(back page).

Enjoy reading Heart!

Katharine

A MULTIVITAMIN

FOR THE SOUL

Istudied nursing in Liverpool.

It was there that I met

Tracey, a lovely Lancashire

lass who was studying to be a

physiotherapist. We married in

1996 and very soon moved to

New Zealand, taking jobs

there, simply because we were

young and free, childless and

mortgage-less!My faith background is Roman

Catholic, but in NZ we got involved in

a surprisingly lively Anglican church.

The talks even had power-point

presentations which for us, back then,

was radical! However we had the

travel bug, so we left for Australia,

Thailand and other places. After a

short time back in England, we still felt

unsettled so we returned to Auckland

where we already had so many

friends. Our daughter was born there.

We missed our parents at this time,

and wanted them to have that special

‘grandparent’ relationship with Daisy,

so in 2002, we returned to live in

England.

Out of the blueI got a job as a charge nurse in the

Royal Preston Hospital where I still

work today. A friend recommended a

vibrant Roman Catholic Church in

Preston, so we joined and it was ace.

Soon after this, our son Tom was born.

Out of the blue, one of my workcolleagues invited me to a ‘Christianity

Explored’ course at an Anglican

Church in town, and I was intrigued to

know more so I went with Tracey. The

course was held in a ‘café’ environment,

and included an amazing meal after

which the vicar talked. We could ask

anything we wanted and there were

some lively discussions which got me

thinking that there was more to church

than we knew. The brilliant atmosphere

reminded me of Auckland. I suddenly

wanted to know more of the Bible for

myself. I began attending both

churches alternately. Then anothercolleague invited me to a baptism at

Fulwood Free Methodist Church. I

thought, ‘Why would I want to go to

someone’s baptism? I don’t even

know them.’ I was told it was something

completely different – that it was not

about babies, but adults who had

decided to be Christians. Out of

curiosity I went, and it was amazing!

One of my wife’s friends had recently

started going regularly to Fulwood

FMC. She said, ‘Something good has

happened to me, you should give it atry.’

After some tough family discussion

(because we did love our church) we

decided to try Fulwood FMC. They

don’t encourage ‘church-hopping,’ but

M

M D

A Thing of Beauty

– it could be you!


3/12

it was our desire to discover more that made us go. The

place was packed and everyone friendly. The music was a

proper band, including drums, synthesisers and

enthusiastic singing. I came out feeling like I wanted to do

the whole service again ‘right now’ – and I still feel like that

every time I go. The messages are relevant. The guys who

are up there are in normal clothes talking about coping

with normal things like relationships or money

management, but it is all Bible-based. Everyone could take

these talks into their weekday work place, or shopping or

interaction with other people. Gradually Christianity has

become my life as opposed to something I do. It is who I

am now. As a person I am probably

unrecognisable now to who I was. I

am different. I can’t explain it – I

just am.

One day, the pastor,

(Andrew), was talking about our

talents and how we shouldn’t

shy away from using the gifts

we have. One of the musicians

Steve McNamara was playing,

so after the service I approached

him and said, ‘I can play guitar. Can

you use me?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I began

going to practices. Now I regularly play in

one of the bands and I love it. I am playing for enjoyment

and not performance. What is new to me is that each time

we meet we pray together, saying, ‘Let it be about you and

not us, God.’ I am pretty shy, but sometimes when playing

in the band, I dare to look up and see people singing,

concentrating on God and I think, ‘We are facilitating that,’

and it is mint!

It isn’t weird or uncomfortableSome of us music geeks asked ourselves, ‘Why can’t we

produce some decent music and church songs ourselves?’

So we’ve begun a song-writing group, and we also do

some recording. If I’d done this years ago, God wouldn’t

have featured in the process. Now it is normal to have a

conversation that goes, ‘Shall we pray together before we

start?’ And we do that naturally. It isn’t weird or

uncomfortable.

The church is large, which is why home groups are

such a good idea. It helps everyone to know a small group

of people, who support each other through life’s ups and

downs. Our group meets in our home sometimes. We often

read the Bible then discuss it. Praying together is a wholenew concept for me. It felt awkward at first, but I am

enjoying the learning process.

Like mum’s amazing roast dinner!Many children abandon church in their teens, but our

13-year-old daughter loves going to Ignite, a service

especially for teenagers that begins with sausage butties

for breakfast. She hangs out with her friends and is free to

do her own thing. Our son Tom, now 11, is still at ‘Junior

Church’ (called Energize) but will soon move up to Ignite

(for High School ages.) His friend started to come to church

with him, so he is happy. Tracey and Tom recently

completed ‘Sign 9’, a basic BSL course led by some of thechurch people who are deaf. There are so many things to

learn, enjoy and get involved in. I’d compare the whole

experience to being at uni, where you tend to eat rubbish

all term, then you go home to your mum’s amazing roast

dinner! Suddenly you are properly nourished. Church is like

a multivitamin for the soul and without it, I’d feel a bit empty!

3

“As a person I am probably

unrecognisable now to

who I was.”


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4

Ben Allen2nd Year, University

of Bristol readingMedicine.

I’ve wanted to be a doctor for

as long as I can remember,

so I feel blessed to be in the

position that I am today. My

aim is to work as a medic in

areas of deprivation, such as

those I experienced whilst on

church mission to India in

2012.All my life I have been part of

Fulwood FMC, even throughout my

teens. Each October, the ‘Youth

Weekend Away’ was a uniquely

exciting highlight; a time of outdoor

activities and inspiring speakers. Also,

from aged 11 -16, I was part of a weekly

church peer group run by Rebecca and

Ted Parkinson. The content was

relevant to any struggles I may have

been facing at the time. I am privileged

to have had such caring guidance in

my youth.

During fresher’s week at Uni I was

keen to get off on the right foot so I

attended the Christian Union and

found a new church, but I felt over-

whelmed. The church congregation

was enormous, and although they

were brilliant towards students, I felt

somewhat lost in a crowd, so I decided

to change to a smaller church. There, I

got involved with a youth group which I

really benefited from. The Christian

faith is an intrinsic part of who I am.

Throughout my youth, I have encoun-

tered many people who mock faith but

I discovered that the questions they

presented, instead of making me

doubt, made my faith even stronger.

Towards the end of my first year at

Uni, my family suffered a devastating

traumatic event. After a lovely family

holiday in the Lake District, my grand-

father died in tragic circumstances

whilst walking his beloved dog along

the seafront. When he disappeared, I

immediately had tremendous support

from my friends at Uni as well as home.

I value and appreciate everyone who

supported me through this traumatic

time, helping me come to terms with

what had happened, taking notes for

me in lectures or simply sending me an

encouraging text.

I’ve made many friends at Uni, from

a variety of backgrounds. Far from

home, I initially felt I’d lost the support

of my family and friends, then I realised

that everyone else is in the same boat

and my new friends quickly became

my adopted family. When I do come

back to Preston I love to go to my

home church where I feel relaxed,

knowing most people by name. There

is nothing quite like home, but it is

learning from the challenges we face

away from our comfort zone that

makes us grow.

Becky CrawfordReading English

Literature at Queen

Mary, University of

London.

M y dream is to live and

work abroad someday,

perhaps as a journalist.My family has been coming to

Fulwood FMC for years. As a child I

attended every Sunday but for a while

in my teens I didn’t want to be a

Christian. However, aged 17 I went on a

mission trip to India to work in some

very deprived areas. It was then that I

realised for myself that God was real.

Words can’t explain how I personally

experienced God’s unconditional love

for me.

Coming to University, I felt very

vulnerable because I thought that Uni

culture was only about drink, sex and

drugs and that people wouldn’t accept

me if I said I was a Christian. Although

these are still strong temptations, my

faith has remained strong at University,

This year more than 30 students from Fulwood Free Methodist

Church are studying at universities around Britain andoverseas. Heart asked 4 of them to reflect on growing up in a

church environment and their transition to Uni life.


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5

and I found supportive people in the Christian Union as

well as my new church. Most students are really open to

other people’s ideas and beliefs, so it’s been much easier

than I’d imagined to talk to my friends and course mates

about my relationship with Jesus and why I believe the

things I do. I love Uni and the people I’ve met here, but of

course I always love coming back to Fulwood when I get

the chance!

Elle Dean4th Year, Hull University,

studying French and Spanish.

I’m not entirely sure of my future plans but

International Law is one option. Translation

and interpretation is a route I could choose,

even if it is the more obvious one!I’d like to stay local to Preston; my family and my church

are the two biggest reasons for that! I honestly don’t think I

could ever feel more at home at a church. I started coming

here when I was young, and was an avid member of ‘Kidz

club,’ which I loved. When I was a teenager, the annual

weekend away played an amazing part in my faith. I

remember truly meeting God for the first time aged about

14, and it was one of the best days of my life. Also, I

enjoyed expressing my faith as I sung in the youth band at

‘Furnace.’ Being a Christian at university is definitely a true

test of a person’s faith, but meeting friends who have

similar beliefs makes it a lot easier! Saying that, some of my

best friends here aren’t religious in the slightest and they

haven’t once made me feel like I should change who I am

to ‘fit in.’ It goes without saying that I fully respect their

views too. I joined the Christian Union where I met some

great people. In Hull, I go to a church that is more traditional

than I’m used to, so when I do get to visit Fulwood FMC it is

just incredible. I can’t explain why, but I always feel so at

home here. I get on well with the assistant pastor, Ian, who

is so encouraging and such an inspiration for me. This

might sound silly, but I’m a Christian simply because I want

to be. God is always real to me and even when there are

difficult times I can pray, no matter what.

Lauren Dean2nd Year, University of Leeds,

studying Broadcast Journalism.

M y dream is to be either a TV presenter(I’d LOVE to be the next Holly

Willoughby on This Morning) or a

radio/ television news reader and journalist.

This could potentially take me to a city like

London or Manchester, but I’d prefer to live in

the countryside and stay relatively close to

home.I have happy memories as a very young child going to a

group called ‘Acorns,’ (Sunday School) but as I got older,

the midweek magazine style club called ‘Kidz Club’ was the

highlight of my week. However, some of the best times of

my life happened (over 7 years,) in Ted and Rebecca’s smallgroup. It gave us regular time for conversation, questions

and laughter as we read the Bible and prayed together,

and I’m always thankful for my amazing friends from this

group. I first went on the ‘Autumn Holiday’ when I was 12,

and I have been every year since – a fun-packed weekend!

Each Friday I went to ‘Furnace’, (now called iMPACT) and

became a drummer in the youth band there. I love worshipful

music and this has had a huge effect in how I express

myself as a Christian.

My church friends helped me get through some difficult

times, particularly my first year at Uni when I was very

homesick. I am helped by coming home on Friday evenings

for the youth event, then we go for a McDonalds together.At Uni, not once did I think about changing my lifestyle to

stop following God. In Leeds, there is an uplifting church

called Hope City, full of young people. I love to go there

from time to time. My close friends at university respect me

for my faith so I am fortunate not to have been challenged

or bullied for believing in God.

“At uni, not once did I think

about changing my lifestyle to

stop following God.” L T h e C h r i s t i an f a i t h i s an in

t r in s i c

p a r t o f w h o I a m. - B en

A l l en

B e c k y

C r a w f o r d & B e n A l l e

n

S i s t e r s Laur e n & E l l e D e an


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6

The word ‘pastor’ originates from a

Greek word meaning ‘shepherd.’ This

word describes my responsibility to

care spiritually and practically for

others. I couldn’t possibly do this

effectively without a brilliant pastoral

team, plus many volunteers who give

their time and skills to help withspiritual leadership, administration and

practical matters. In fact, I value every

single person in the church! The Bible

teaches that Christianity is about

working together like a ‘body’ – every

part is needed and every person is as

valuable as the next one.

There are many misconceptions

about church and church leadership.

Some of the negative press is

deserved, but the media rarely report

that many churches in Britain are

actually growing as new people findfaith in Christ. Church leaders can

be portrayed on TV either as

foolish comedy figures, or

crooked, or stupid; no

wonder people are

surprised when they

meet us, that we areordinary, hard-working

people. One of my joys

is to meet regularly to

work with leaders of other churches

across Preston and beyond, from

every denomination or background.

This enables our churches to link up

and be more effective in the

community, running teams like Street

Pastors or ‘Inside Out’ that supports

practically, those who are caught inpoverty.

I love my work! I enjoy speaking on

a Sunday (some call it preaching),

unpacking the stories and teaching

the Bible as clearly as I can, using

power-points or clips from DVDs,

drama or the testimony of others to

back up the message. I enjoy visiting

people in their homes or hospital; the

elderly, the sick and those with

questions. This often involves much

patient listening, counselling and

prayer. If people need differentexpertise I refer them to other

agencies. For example, if a marriage is

in trouble, I give that couple time, then

if they agree, I might refer them to

trained marriage counsellors.

There are no typical days because

anything can happen. If a couple ask

to get married, we show them

around the church, then I explain

the formal and legal details of

the wedding. I offer up to five

free sessions of pre-marriage

preparation to help prepare forthe big day, as well as

considering life issues such

as finance, child-care,

work and the big one –

communication. When

someone dies, I go out to

meet the bereaved family at

least twice, to care, to pray for

them and prepare the funeral

service. Myself or another pastor

eventually leads the service in the

church, and or at the crematorium or

graveside.

Some anecdotesA woman came to see me, deeply

distraught because her husband was

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

Pastor Andrew has worked at Fulwood Free

Methodist Church for many years. He is married

to Katharine. They have 3 married daughters and

3 grandsons. Andrew enjoys reading and wood-turning.

Heart asked him to talk about his working life.

A

,

--

, . M 4 27


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7

ANYTHING CANHAPPEN

having an affair. When I visited, I realised the marriage was

on the brink of collapse, but with prayer, counselling and

much patience, the marriage was healed and grew to a

new place of trust and love. That particular couple have

now been happy for twenty-five years!

A man came to me with an online gambling addiction

and again, through counselling and prayer, as well as our

in-church support group known as ‘Celebrate Recovery’, he

is now in a much healthier place, with ongoing support.We cared for a woman who was alcoholic. Once, at

midnight she was very drunk and was locked out after

losing her key. She phoned us in a terrible state. When I

arrived at her house I saw that the bathroom window was

open, so I scaled the drainpipe. Halfway up it, I imagined

tomorrow’s headlines; ‘Minister arrested for suspected

burglary!’ This friend eventually came to live with us for a

year. We are now her next-of-kin and she has been alcohol

free for many years.

Another time, a man had been talking with me in our

front room. I finished this session by praying for him. As we

closed our eyes we heard a strange noise. The coal in our

fire place moved. From beneath the coal emerged a very

scruffy, blackened hamster that our children had lost for

days!

What’s Important?

> To be consistent.

In some cases this may mean many years of regularly

visiting the same person. Our heart is to show care and

kindness and that everyone has worth.

> To not give up in the face of disappointment.

Everyone is free to make their own life decisions, but

sometimes I witness whole families or individuals making

their own ‘train-crash.’ They maybe hit the bottle, or

have an affair, or make terrible financial decisions and

it doesn’t matter what I say, they will continue down the

self-destructive path. In those situations I, and others in

the church, can be there when they return, or for their

families who may be suffering.

> To do the ‘alone’ stuff daily.

I depend on God for peace, strength and wisdom, so I

usually get up early to pray and read the Bible. After this I

eat breakfast, do admin, then meet with my staff team or

volunteers.

> ‘Church’ is not about one person standing at the front.

Each service involves welcomers, musicians, a worship

leader and the speaker. Other people oversee safety,

care for children, sign for the deaf, ensure flowers are

distributed to the right people, serve coffee and so on.

> Faith is not just about what I do at work

What goes on at home is important too. Over the years

we have opened our home to adults battling with drugs,

alcohol or difficult relationships. We also fostered several

children through the care system, mostly teenagers

which, although challenging at times, was a real privilege

and joy.

Before I was called to church ministry, I was training to be a

metalwork and woodwork teacher. Sometimes people give

me ‘lumps’ of wood. I set up my lathe then put on my

headphones to listen to music as I shape these into bowls

or lamp-stands, hopefully bringing form and beauty out of

something that, before, seemed only fit to burn.

This Bible verse describes my life: I run in the path ofYour commands for You have set my heart free. (Psalm 119 v 32)

If you want to speak with a pastor please phone for an

appointment or drop into reception during the day – one of

our staff will talk with you.

“I imagined tomorrow’s

headlines; ‘Minister arrested

for suspected burglary!’”

Would you like to joinour community choir? Based at Fulwood Free Methodist Church, the

choir is open to everyone regardless of age,

race, religion or experience. The repertoire will

be varied, and will include Christian music as

we will take part in some church events, as we

did last Christmas. Everyone who joins will be

made welcome – especially men!

1The choir practices most

Wednesdays at the church:

7.30-9.00pm A N e w C m u n y

C h ƣ r Welcome

to

Stewart and Lisa Bell (Choir co-ordinators)

Find more information on Facebook or phone

Vicky on church reception: 01772 861597


8/12

FREE

.–. M O N D A Y SF F M C

S • I

Struggling with

hurts, hang-upsor habits?

Come to

Celebrate Recovery!

8

W n d n F ls

p

W e d nes d a y

L c B a

. –

S .

. – .

.

Join us or a two course meal ollowed by a cuppa and

a short service where we sing a couple o hymns, hear a

short Bible message and pray.

Tis group is aimed at those who are retired although all

are welcome.While Lunch Fellowship is usually the 3rd Wednesday

in the month this is not always the case so if you want

to come, please contact Vicky at the church office. She

will send you a free programme in the post.

Join us or homemade soup, a resh warm roll and a glass

o juice ollowed by a homemade cake and a cup o reshly

brewed coffee or a cup o tea – the choice is yours.

We welcome young mums with babes in arms, business folk

on their lunch break, the retired, and students on study days.

Please come in. You will be made welcome.

AB

7

O P

NM

10.00 – 11.30am

20 June, 12 September, 28 November£2 per family – includes bacon butties, drinks and biscuits.

One Saturday each half term, dads, grandads and male

carers bring their little ones to chill out together.

Who Dads out?

L e tt he


9/12

9

B U M P

& B A B

Y

T oddlers

Tuesdays 10am - 11.30am(term-time only)

Time for a cuppa and chat while

your little ones play. The over-3s

go into a separate space for a

story-time. Singing together to end

the morning.

Cost: £1.50

for 1 adult with up to 3 children.

Includes drinks and biscuits.

Tuesdays 10.15am – 11.30am(most weeks)

For expectant or new mums, a

quiet (ish!) place to relax in our caféarea, make friends, share.

No cost. Donations welcome.

‘No that’s not right

Daddy! It’s 536

million, 817 thousand,

9 hundred and 12!’ Four year

old Reuben corrected his

Daddy’s multiplication sum –

and Reuben was right!

A year ago we shared our storyabout our ‘Superhero Concrete Boy’ in

Heart Magazine. It was about our son

Reuben and his treatment for scoliosis

of the spine and other conditions.

Since then many people have asked

how his treatment is going; so here’s a

quick update.

Reuben no longer has a spinal

cast. He had titanium rods put into

his spine and has had four further

operations. He will need about 16

more operations on his spine over

the next 8 years or so, it’s a lot ofappointments and hospital visits but

we know that God is with us through

everything, and that people from

Fulwood Free Methodist Church

continue to pray for us.

In September Reuben started

school each morning. He enjoys atime of home-schooling in the

afternoons. This arrangement suits

Reuben very well, because one of his

‘bonus features’ is that he has autism.

Children with autism often develop a

fascination in a particular area, and

with Reuben it is mathematics and

numbers.

We have a blog of Reuben’s

updates and progress, from his

speech therapy to physiotherapy,

neurological and bowel conditions.

You are welcome to read it and get intouch if you’d like more information,

particularly if you have just found

out your child needs treatment for

scoliosis or has been diagnosed with

autism.

‘T HAT ’S NOT

R IGHT , DADDY !’ A M A N D A & A N D Y C R O S S

www.superheroconcreteboy.blogspot.com


10/12

J ,

. Gather in the Fulwood FreeMethodist church car park on Lightoot Lane, toshare lifs. For details o times/dates phone or emailthe church office.

Lightfoot R A M B L E R S

10

SPACE

For years 7-8

FRIDAY (term time only)

6.30 – 8.00pm

Chill out together on a

Friday evening.Games, activities such as craft or

baking. Lots of fun with

good leaders.

FREE!iMPACT is more than just a youth club - games,

activities, food, sports, electronic games,

worship and a short message each week. Make

friends and relax together.

F o r y e a r s 9 a n d o v e r

(ages 13 – 18)

FRIDAY8.00 – 10.00pm

WEDNESD AY 6pm-7pm in term-time

Subs 50p – F irst week freeCalling all junior school boys

and girls, years 3 – 6.

Fun, games, crafts, games and activities

and Bible stories.

Come to Kick Start!

GREAT ACTIVITIES

InspirationsThose that sew together know each other. Welcome to

Dot’s wonderful afternoons of creativity.

T 12 – 2.45 F

The ChristianResource Centre

Welcome to you all!Come and browse the books for

adults and children, gifts, music and

cards for all occasions in our friendly

resource centre. Do you need help with a specific

issue? Come in, or phone to ask about books or DVDs

on subjects as far ranging as coping with pain or

bereavement, to self-harm or self-image; from handling

finance to child-care and much more. Located on Fox

Street, Preston Town Centre.

Web: www.prestonchristianresourcecentre.co.uk

email: [email protected] / Tel: 01772 259279

See our wide selection of Bibles!

BOOKS DVDS GIFTS CARDS

▼

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN FIND FULWOOD FREE METHODIST CHURCH ON FACEBOOK, T WITTER AND INSTAGRAM?


11/12

From January to March we held a

basic BSL course for anyone

interested in learning Sign

Language. More than 30 ‘students’

attended the lessons taught by Chris

Steele and Katharine Gardner with

the help of June Steele, Christine

Ogden and some of the church

signing team, Amanda and Sandra.

Since then, students have turned upto watch the BSL signing during Sunday

morning church services. Also we

were sent some lovely emails. Here is

one from a lady called Fiona:

‘I am a community nurse. I realised

that basic BSL skills would help me

communicate with some of my

patients, but I wasn’t sure where to

start. Then one evening I arrived

home from work to find Heart

magazine had been delivered, with

the free (wow!) Sign Nine course

advertised at Fulwood Free MethodistChurch. It was perfect timing! I

attended every session and was

amazed how my sign vocabulary and

confidence developed. The teachers

were incredible, really helping us learn

and remember the signs, and

encouraging us to practice, practice,

practice! I came away with

a much better

understanding of deaf

culture, and it was great to

be able to ‘chat’ with

people who are deaf and

who never once laughed at

my mistakes, of whichthere were many! The

sessions were warm,

friendly and relaxed and I met some

lovely people with whom I’ll stay in

contact. I am already

using my new skills

at work and have

signed up for a BSL

Level One course at

Deafway. It is a

beautiful language and I’m so grateful

to Sign Nine for getting me started.’

Signing with dadThree school boys, Tom, Joel and

Hamza, aged 10 – 14 attended Sign

Nine with their parents. Joel said:

‘I went to Sign Nine with my dad

because I saw deaf people signing

at church and wanted to understand

them. The course was really

good and useful. We have

guinea pigs at home - after

a few weeks I was able to

stand in front of everyone

and say a whole sentence

about the guinea pigs in BSL.

I’m glad I did better than mydad, too!’ (Hmm… we think

dad, Ian, did brilliantly!)

At the end of the course everyone

received a certificate to celebrate their

achievements. One

lady, Qudsia, kindly

brought home-made

samosas for

everyone to share,

alongside our usual

refreshments. June handed everyone

a chocolate bunny because it was

almost Easter time. Katharine handedout information about how and where

the group could continue learning

BSL. No one wanted the course to

end!

WE LOVED SIGN NINE!

I was able to say awhole sentence aboutthe guinea pigs in BSL.

SundayServices

Morning ServiceSunday 10.00 – 11.15am

Sparkle

Sunday 9.50am

Pre-School (age 2 to 4 years)

Toddlers aged 2-3 head for their

special room upstairs. Créche available.

EnergizeSunday 9.50am

Church for children aged 2 – 11 years.

Energize begins ten minutes before

the morning service, giving you time

to settle them in.

IGNITE

Ignite

Sunday 10.00am

For years 7 to 10

during the 10am Service.

An informal church for young people.

Includes sausage butties for break-

fast, games, as well as worship, prayer

and a relevant Bible message. Ignite

is a great place to meet friends and

to start, or continue your own journey

with God.

Everyone is very welcome.

Bring a friend.

Sunday Afternoon Service 3.00 – 3.45pm

1st Sunday in the month

(not January or August)

Evening Service6.30 – 8.00pm

Followed by free tea and coffee.

British Sign Languagefor the Deaf

If you are deaf, the

10am services are

signed in BSL and

SSE by members of

the congregation.

A hearing loop is available for the

hard of hearing.

What’s on?

11

All Sunday services are followed by a time to pray, to ask questions, or chat with friends over a tea or coffee.


12/12

A D D R E S SFulwood FMC

Lightfoot Lane

Fulwood

Preston

PR2 3LT

T E L E P H O N E

01772 861597 F

I N D U

S V I S I T O U R W E B S I T Ewww.fulwoodfmc.net

• for info on our church

• for podcsasts – listen to our

Sunday messages online

• for blogs – thoughts and ideas

for you to read

E M A I [email protected]

C O N T A C T

Registered Charity No. 514359

S F F M C :

P A G

P I C

P C W S C

It is a simple, memorable story,

often with humble imagery,

with a single message. Here

is a famous one. What do you

think it might mean?

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As

he was scattering the seed, some fell

along the path, and the birds came and

ate it up. Some fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil. It

sprang up quickly, because the soil

was shallow. But when the sun came

up, the plants were scorched, and they

withered because they had no root.

Other seed fell among thorns, which

grew up and choked the plants. Still

other seed fell on good soil, where it

produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or

thirty times what was sown. Whoever

has ears, let them hear.

Lots of people want a safe

place to ask questions

about the Christian faith,

so we decided to open The

Venue; an informal, friendly

place to meet other enquiring

people.It is not a course, but each time

we meet we will focus on a different

‘big question.’ There will be space

for you (and your friends) to ask your

own questions, join in the discussion

or simply sit back and listen. You are

welcome to come as many or as few

times as you like with no pressure. It

costs nothing, and tea/coffee and a

pastry is ‘on the house!’Open from 7.30 – 9.30 pm every

other week on a Thursday evening

The Venue will be held in the café

area at Fulwood Free Methodist

Church on Lightfoot Lane. Car park

available. For details of the dates and

theme of each evening, either check

out the church website (see contact

details below) or phone the church

office: 01772 861597.

If you’d like BSL interpretation,

email the office and your request will

be forwarded to our signing team.

T h e V e n u

e

O p

e n f r o m

7 . 3

0

– 9 . 3 0

p m ev er y o t h

e r w

e e k

o n

a

T h

u r s d

a y

The

Venue

Find out more about the Christian faith

WHAT IS A

PARABLE?

heart summer 2015

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