One Voice - in partnership with Northampton Methodist Church & Methodist Church Northampton District

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.

It was only last month at St Andrew's church in Northampton that the ReNew event set itself the task of " rediscovering hope ", so it seemed a great idea to further explore hope in the context of the podcast.

Someone who led a very powerful session at ReNew was Olive Ruvimbo Ruzvidzo and she is one of our guests.

Olive brings a wealth of professional and faith-based experience to her role with Methodist Women in Britain. With a background in Business Management, Marketing, and Public Relations from her work in both Zimbabwe and the UK, she understands the power of strategy and connection.A dedicated Local Preacher accredited in 2022,

She is an active voice within her church and the wider Methodist community. She represents her church at Circuit meetings and has been elected to represent her District at Conference for four consecutive years. Her commitment to social justice has led her to Parliament, where she has represented the Methodist Church, discussing the vital link between faith and politics with MPs.

We're also joined by Vicky Summers from Harlestone Players, the force of nature behind Alice's Adventures in Pantoland, which will raise much needed funds for Maggie's Centre. Listen out for how you can book your tickets !

Our third guest is Ann Atkin, who explains why you should wear clothes " suitable for a farmyard " when attending the carol service in Astcote. There'll be mulled wine, mince pies and no shortage of singing!

As Anna puts it " Coming here (Steeds Farm in Faringdon) is like stepping into a parable....it's a meditative experience."

Having just marked its 5th birthday, Exploring Faith in Nature is a delightfully unique gathering amidst the picture postcard setting of a farm in Faringdon, Oxon.

Tracey and Anna came up with the idea and they're on the podcast to tell you their story and that of those who immerse themselves in the beauty of God's world. This is pioneering the the Nth degree!

Kingsthorpe Community Church are ( like many others ) in the throes of planning their Christmas Fayre and we're so pleased that Catherine Bruce has let us in on some of those planning secrets and what people can expect from it.

And who doesn't like some joy, especially when it comes in generous dollops?! Rev'd Sue Jacobs is here for a joyous update; you have to listen as it's always thought provoking and funny!

Three compelling conversations, three subjects underpinned by faith and Methodism.

Rev'd Kim is with us to give you a great overview of Gifted and how it fits into your church once we start to approach Christmas. Her explanation will be really helpful and there's always the District website, where you can read more and download all the relevant documents.

Please do remember there are some small grants available; we want you to be encouraged and try something new.

" Reflected in Nature, Finding God in the created world " is a brand new book by Claire Daniel and is illustrated by Jamie Poole and we're talking about it in this podcast. Discover all about its aims and how Claire was inspired to write it and of course you'll hear about Jamie and the way he created the beautiful artwork.

How many times do you base a chat on something that happened 300 years ago? Well that's what we're doing in this episode. Have a listen to Rev'd Richard Atkinson , who speaks with great insight about John Wesley's visit to Fleet Marston in 1725 and speculates on what Wesley would say to us today.

He's been known as " The Maestro " for a long time and he tinkles the ivories for us right at the top of this episode. Lincoln Noel will be entertaining Methodists at the forthcoming 100th anniversary celebrations - it promises to be a glorious occasion!

Rev'd David Speirs is on hand to put some more detail on this set of celebrations, the importance of its pioneering history and how it sits with Our Story, Our Song and the new Connexional year.

" The Dollop of Joy " feature is launched by Rev'd Sue Jacobs and as Sue still has to pinch herself that she's going God's work in West Oxfordshire, she's here to impart her joys and yours.

Melvina Brown continues to co ordinate some great work in Overstone and she's with us to talk about this Summer's highlights and what it means to have a new gazebo.

The FEAST creative mindfulness group meets every month in Wellingborough Methodist Church. A project introduced by Rev'd Kim Shorley and supported by people like Wendy ( who leads the group ), they use Bible passages as the inspiration and catalyst for some stunning artwork.

Wendy and Melissa tell the story of the group, their experiences and the kinds of outcomes and friendships that have been formed there.

Rev'd Sue Jacobs is a Probationer Presbyter in the West Oxfordshire circuit and we're very glad to have her as a guest on the podcast to talk about the rewards, challenges and out and out joy in her role. She certainly conveys what she calls "dollops of joy".

We've also news of a meal and entertainment at Park Avenue Methodist Church and a nod to the upcoming Greenbelt Festival.

One person thankful for their new role and a group of people being thanked for their part in community cohesion.

Matt Forsyth is now Vice President of the Methodist Conference and in this episode tells us about his view of the role, how he aims to fulfil what it requires and where the hope and optimism lie.

It's a two part conversation and sat right in the middle are a collection of wonderful stories from New Parks Methodist Church in Leicester.

Men's Sheds is a voluntary charity group that aims to create a safe space for the community to allow people to refurbish tools, do some gardening or work on their own projects. Or just a place to meet others and socialise.

They have supported those with depression and suicidal thoughts and helped turn lives around; to bring direction and meaning.

They were one of the groups thanked at the " One Big Thankyou " event hosted by the church and what a lovely occasion it was. A celebration of a truly diverse and caring community, it honoured so much wonderful work and volunteering and One Voice takes up the story, starting with Justin Moulder.

Make sure you listen out too for a couple of important events coming up this month ( July ) and support them if you can.

Trinity Methodist Church, Oadby was the place where Spring Synod converged in May and it asked " Where is the love? "

One of the key talking points and illustrations of lived experiences centred around being single in the church. How are those without a spouse or partner treated and in what ways can we make them feel more included, more welcome? You can sample a little of the presentation by Rev'd Miriam Moul.

The Christian Literature Festival in Great Missenden is almost at hand and we're proud to be able to speak to Jonny from St Andrews bookshop about this stimulating event.

Do try and get there if you can.

The Rev'd Nathan Falla of Rugby Methodist Church Centre is also with us as he reads a special prayer he wrote for Pride Month.

It was 4 years ago that the Methodist Conference adopted the Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity.

It's an initiative that affirms our commitment to the rich diversity of people within the Methodist Church and ( amongst other things )  a profound change in the culture, practices and attitudes of the Methodist Church so that all Methodists are able to be full participants in the Church's life.

Janet and Regina from the JDS Group, who are also members of the Rugby Methodist Church Centre are our main guests on the podcast.

Please do have a look here for information and resources.

The Group would love you to join them in their key work.

We'll also meet Paul, who works at Cafe Emm once a week. It's based within Emmanuel Church and has such a lovely, community led ethos.

Hear his story.

Every single story, every conversation signals a new start.

Kingsthorpe Methodist and Kingsthorpe Baptist Church are now formally and inextricably linked. Their LEP is fully up and running and they marked it with a memorable and joyous celebration service in the middle of March. The podcast aims to bring you some of the views and experiences from that service.

We talk about characters, tradition, friendships and cake ( of course! )

The fabulous layworkers event ReNew came round again and One Voice was there to reflect what went on at St Andrew's church. Listen to Rev'd Dr Sonia Hicks and Abi Jarvis, who had some interactive and deep rooted lessons about the journey of one's faith.

Eco Church is doubtless something you'll be familiar with and Jo Godfrey from Wesley Memorial church in Oxford stops by to talk about their gold award and how they set about it.