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

It's a moment that not so long ago seemed far off. Kingsthorpe Methodist and Baptist Churches are about to celebrate their local ecumenical partnership ( LEP ). Rev'd David Speirs talks to the podcast about the impending celebration service and what the path to this point has been like.

Spectrum are a really interesting organisation and Rob Hufton belongs to it and is behind a conference that will be held in Northamptonshire. " Wounded Wisdom " is totally unique and Rob talks to One Voice about the motivations behind the conference and what you'll experience.

Plus we catch up with Wilhelmina Tan, who is covering Naomi's role as Digital Enabler for Northampton District. You'll hear about the training she's running and how the church can get fresh eyes on what it's doing.

The Hope Centre in Northampton has just held their annual sleep out and thanks to Kyra Williams, the first hand accounts of those who took part are featured in this episode.

Queensgrove Methodist Church was a past host for their winter night shelter, so it's great to hear more about Hope's ongoing work and how it supports those without a home.

Meanwhile in Overstone, a new wave of discipleship is about to launch. Mel Brown tells us about the ideas, enthusiasm and commitment that's needed to make this yet another success story in that area.

It may be February, but panto season isn't over. Not a bit of it! Victoria Summers is with the podcast to talk about Aladinn : The True Story and how you can see it at St Andrew's church in Duston. How does she find the time to write, direct and perform in it???

Leading the Northampton District with her energy and wisdom is the ( relatively ) new Chair, Rev'd Sonia Hicks.

Steeped in Methodisim, which has taken her around the globe, Sonia is such an open and effusive person.

She has a huge amount of experience, which includes being a past President of Conference.

Here she talks about her story, what she's learned and how she views her tenure as Chair of the District.

Helen Stephens is from A Rocha UK, the organisation behind Eco Church. She's here to set out their christian conservation work, what drew her to be such a champion of the environment and how YOUR church can support and cherish the planet.

Hear too from Ann Atkin over in Astcote in Northamptonshire - the chapel she attends recently reached it's 150th birthday and Ann is keen to tell its story and how her family are inexorably linked to it.

Given that we started off with a mystery - it's only right that we solve it and right near the end of the episode, not only will there be a resolution, but her work in the community will be brought bang up to date.

It was a weekday in unassuming Whittlesey in Peterborough. At the Leaders Lunch in the local Methodist church, one American gentleman spoke words of defiance and implacability.

" I didn't sign on to watch the KIngdom of God wither away ", was the first thing Paul Nixon said to this podcast. He's an author and ordained Minister and was there to talk about the ideas and actions in his book " I refuse to lead a dying church. " Paul means business, as you'll find out.

The Torch Trust do some inspired, heart warming and vital work. Supporting worshippers with sight loss and other sight based challenges is their main purpose. They do that and so much more and we're really pleased to speak with their Chief Exec Sarah Dawkins.

You may recall some months ago that we covered the forming of a new LEP ( Local Ecumenical Partnership ) between Kingsthorpe Methodist Church and Kingsthorpe Baptist Church - well, we have an update. Kingsthorpe Community Church, as they're now known, have just held a Coming Together day. Catherine Bruce is with us to explain how it was done and what the outcomes were.

....and so much more! The District's Mission Team Leader, Matt Forsyth takes the road to Oxford and shines a light on the wonderful work of the Rose Hill Community Cupboard. Matt's the person to get in touch with about grants - his email is [email protected]

Sue Padington gives a lovely account of her worship and crafting at King Richard Court in Northampton and what her imminent plans are.

Plus there's the story of 3Gen from the Youth President Bea Hulme. If you need an upbeat story of innovative mission and fellowship, this is the one.

We'll also let you in on the details of an upcoming jumble sale and the first ever administrator's day within the District.

Holy Habits is described thus:

"....a way of life for those exploring or already actively living out the call of Jesus to ‘follow me’. It is a way of life for all ages and cultures; a way of life based on Luke’s portrait of the community of followers of Jesus that we see in Acts 2:42–47; a way of life that nurtures whole-life, missional discipleship; a way of life that, when lived faithfully day by day and fruitfully both personally and collectively, encourages others to join the adventure of following Jesus." ( credit - Holy Habits website )

In this episode, Andrew Roberts, it's author explains how he approached the writing and why it was important to him. You'll also hear how one circuit is implementing the course - Rev'd David Spiers and Jenny Brooks join us for a chat.

Plus there's a wonderfully inspiring look back at the Connexional year by Matt Forsyth of the District Mission Team.

Naomi is part of the Mission Team as the Digital Enabler and we're really glad to hear that she'll be coming on the podcast now and again to let you know about the positive outcomes, ideas and plans for the district.

Dine and Divine is an ongoing success in Northampton and we're joined by Penny Clark to tell the story of how it runs and the buzz they're creating in a local pub!

One Voice also hears from Rev'd Richard Hardy, Director of The Entheos Trust - I think you'll be really interested to discover their raison d'être.

Mission Team Leader Matt Forsyth summarises conference so far and reports from Leeds.

Also attending is Holly Adams and she's speaking at the next ReNew event in Northamptonshire on 23rd July.

She has an amazing approach to the kinds of conversations that the church needs to be having. You'll also be astonished at the breadth of national events attended by the Methodist Church.

There's also an insider's look at the annual fundraiser held by the Leeson household for Christian Aid. We speak to one of the stallholders and a young person who was waiting on tables in the pouring rain!

Sienna, who works for JPIT and is an intern within the Houses of Parliament describes the way she sees how Jesus engaged with people. Radical is perhaps a word you haven't thought of, but her explanation will get you thinking.

We're so pleased to have Sienna as a guest - it was one of our listeners who read her blog on Emily Davison the suffragette - she'll also tell you more about this dynamic and incredible woman.

Also in this episode :

7th Northampton Boys Brigade recently turned 100 years old and Steve Dickinson and Brian Thorpe are on hand to tell that story and what it means to generations of young men.

Matt Forsyth guides you through the rededication of Hinton Church - there are conversations with Cate Vokes and Rev'd Phil Robinson.