Yes, we know. It could be the new Richard Coles book dramatised for tv. However, this is a true story and not the figment of a writer's over active imagination !

So just what happened when our co host, Rev'd Sue Jacobs was at a welcome service for another minister? You might need to ask her in person; it probably doesn't pass the podcast censorship filter !

This of course is the launch of our much talked about second episode, which will happen every month now. It's a very different format to the One Voices you'll have experienced so far and gives all of the wonderful people around the District an opportunity to be part of the podcast.

Keen to spread the joy, we're showcasing voicenotes that tell of positive and interesting news from churches and Circuits.

Please send yours to Naomi via this email - [email protected]

Don't forget to subscribe to the District YouTube channel and look out in particular for the video of Rev'd Dr Sonia Hicks inviting young people to the next Synod.

We've been hatching some plans and now they've come to fruition.

The podcast is now fully part of the Northampton Methodist District, so expansion and change is happening.

We're moving to two episodes a month; one on the first of the month and one on the 15th. Longer form conversations with myriad guests will continue to form the first episode each month and the big shift comes in the form of the second episode.

You'll be hearing a range of co hosts, who have so much to offer about themselves, their church life and uplifting stories - it'll be well worth a listen.

Kicking off this new era ( and our main guest this time ) is Ben Aldous from Churches Together In England. Ben was recently in Overstone, Northants for a pilgrimage tied in with the new housing estates and this conversation gives you a sense of how CTE view mission and evangelism.

Naomi Ensor, our Digital Enabler is also here to talk about the podcast changes and the ways we want you to be involved. You can reach her via [email protected]

There's also a very special invitation from District Chair Rev Dr Sonia Hicks - if there are young people in your family or at your church, pin back your ears !

Churches Together in England recently came to the Northampton Methodist District and embarked on a pilgrimage around Overstone with the Pioneering Community Chaplain, Melvina Brown.

Sharing wisdom, experience and best theological practice for work on new housing estates, the group walked through the old and new parts of the village and reflected on the challenges of contexts like this.

Listen out for contributions from Mel and the CTE contingent, which were Ben, Ali, Penny and Katrina from the C of E.

The Dollop of Joy is back this month and the newly ordained Rev'd Sue has her daughter Dotty with her to tell you all about two sets of the most wonderful joy !

There won't be another one for 64 years. August's solar eclipse can be a real marker for wonder and reflection and so we're very pleased to be joined by Rev'd Dr Stephen Skuce, who is the Superintendent for Growing Churches ofThe Methodist Church in Ireland.

Stephen gives us a sense of how Methodism can use the eclipse as a springboard for deepening our faith and asking questions about our stewardship of God's created world. This is where you can learn more from the Connexional website.

Also with us is Leroy Aitcheson from Adoption Focus, who'll be explaining what it takes to adopt a child and in particular, the low numbers of black adopters and how that can change.Leroy has masses of experience and a story that needs to be heard.

Always keen to hold a mirror up to stories of great joy from around the District, the podcast chats to Margaret and Eleri from the Charnwood and Mowbray Circuit. One of their local churches has been working with a couple of councils on a good news project that really supports the community and puts Methodists right at the heart of village life.

We've occasionally spoken about pioneering, but never like this. Methodists have long been known for being at the vanguard of all sorts of issues and projects and you're going to learn about a service that certainly makes new ground.

Kingsthorpe Community Church are asking members of the congregation and the wider community to bring their pets on July 4th to be blessed. It can be any kind of pet and the idea is to reflect and celebrate the love people have for their animals. Sheila Howard tells all.

Bryn Lauder is Festival Events Coordinator with The Connexional Team and talks to the podcast about his search for volunteers to be part of a Methodist presence at the British Grand Prix.At arguably the fastest event in the sporting calender, it's about slowing down and having meaningful conversations with race-goers

By now, I dare say you readily associate Rev'd Sue Jacobs with the notion of joy. She's back with us in this episode and ready to extol the virtues of the joyous moments she's been finding in the final month of being a probationer.

Jay's story is a remarkable one. A year ago, he had the unwelcome diagnosis of cancer. A trainee lay preacher, Jay looked to his faith and regular, devoted prayer. What he found there was miraculous.

Hear his story in full.

" We read to know we're not alone " is how books are spoken about in the film Shadowlands. It's also the outlook of St Andrews Christian Literature Festival who are about to hold their prestigious and unique event. Andi explains how it works and how you can be part of it.

There's also a chance to hear some of the presentation by Rev'd Dr Inderjit Bhogal given recently to the Spring Synod of Northampton Methodist District.

Could you become a church of sanctuary?

How blessed we are to have chats with Rev'd Andrew, Rev'd Sue and Emma Lowe.

Andrew has just come back from a trip to Trichy in Southern India. He describes it as " an assault of the senses " and explains how it takes him back to early Ministry and just how vibrant it is at Bishop Heber College where he and other members of the party stayed. Find out why he went and what he learned.

Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? Emma and some of her fellow worshippers from Loughborough are about to go on one. At 18 miles, it takes in the intriguing story of Saint Morrell. St Morrell's Round is a circular pilgrimage of about 18 miles which is inspired by the medieval pilgrimages made to St Morrell's Chapel on the hillside near Hallaton. The pilgrimage does not claim to follow any previous route but instead visits sites where you can still see things that pilgrim travellers would have seen in the 14th Century.

Emma lays out that story and their hopes.

And what would an episode be without a Dollop of Joy??!!

That joy is delivered, well, joyously by Rev'd Sue Jacobs.

Caroline has just returned from the ChurchWorks Summit, where one of the subjects was supporting young people.

This is very dear to her heart, as Caroline works in Cornerstone Methodist Church , Kettering Methodist Church and Burton Latimer Methodist Church as a Church & Community Chaplain. She is spearheading the Here4U hub at the Cornerstone on Wednesdays.

Caroline is involved in children's and youth work, which includes assemblies, prayer spaces and lunchtime clubs in local Primary and Secondary Schools on Kingswood and the neighbouring estate Hazel Leys.

She also runs, along with volunteers, a weekly youth club that meets at Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre.

Through the podcast, you'll get to meet her and hear the dedication of this work and the immense good it brings.

It's the second and concluding part of the conversation with District Chair Rev'd Dr Sonia Hicks - how can the Mission Team walk alongside you? Have a listen and find out.

We also finish the chat with Rev'd Dr Samantha Gillard of the Northampton Circuit. It's a conversation laced with candour and gives you a really clear picture of what it's like to be a Minister in 2026.

The podcast is blessed with so many wonderful guests and so many key themes.

Our Chair, Rev'd Dr Sonia Hicks is back with us, to chat about her time in post so far. It's the first part of a two part conversation and in this part, you'll find out :

- her leadership style

- how strong Jamaican role models have guided her

- why she's a cheerleader for Methodists

You may remember hearing Leslie Newton in a previous episode. He wrote " Revive Us Again " and has just finished the companion book " Church Unbound ". Please do have a listen to what Leslie has to say and how we can explore a freer "mixed ecology" church.

His book is available here.

Rev'd Dr Samantha Gillard is a Minister in the Northampton Circuit and was ordained just under a year ago. One Voice is joined by Samantha to discover her journey into ministry and hear about her approach to leading worship.

Please note that the second part of our conversation with Samantha will be in next month's episode.

There's also a chance to hear about the joyous and life-affirming work going on at Rose Hill Methodist Church in Oxford.

It's an episode bursting with it. Joy that is!

Adam Noble from Witney Community Meal is with us to talk about their weekly meal with those in the community who come from all walks of life and benefit from this touching gesture.

Adam was recently at No 10 Downing Street at a special reception; he reflects on that and how much of Jesus' social action was centred around food.

Joy has certainly permeated Freeman Memorial Methodist Church in the Milton Keynes Circuit. They've just attained the Eco Church Bronze Award and you'll hear from Helen from A Rocha UK, who are behind the award.

Rev'd Sue Jacobs is a big fan of finding joy and the Covenant service is a great source of it for her and those who attend her services. Thankfully, she's bringing some of that inherent joy to our feature " Dollops of Joy ".

We'll also let you know about some of the wonderful events around the District.