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

It promises to be a very special weekend.

The 4th and 5th May is the 145 year anniversary of Queensgrove Methodist Church in Northampton and there are wonderful events planned.

Steward and Trustee Charmaine Voyce shows us around the church, talks about her lifelong links to it and explains how Zimbabwean vibrancy will play its part in their wonderful celebrations.

You'll also be able to hear the second part of our conversation with Head of Mission Jude Levermore from the ReNew event, which was held at St Andrew's church in Duston.

Speaking of St Andrew's, we've news of when they're marking 50 years of the current building and the timings around it.

Lois Leeson is planning a Christian Aid day, which involves tea, coffee, cake, Indian food and her usual huge plant sale - she's on the podcast inviting you to be there.

It happens every three months and helps to reinvigorate, refresh and revitalise.

ReNew is put on by the Northampton District and during Holy Week, one of these regular gatherings was laid on at St Andrew's Church in Duston.

Methodist Church Head of Mission Jude Levermore was there to talk about her role and participate in a podcast first - "One Voice Live"!

You can hear the first part of that ReNew conversation with Jude in this month's episode.

Also

The latest news on the Kingsthorpe LEP between the Methodist and Baptist churches is brought to you by Trevor Clarke and Catherine Bruce and our last conversation is based around something incredibly innovative!

Amy Scott Robinson is running a retreat at one of the Retreat Association's venues around the concept of prayerful poetry.

Listen in and find out all about it.

Naomi Ensor is the new Digital Enabler for the District and has invigorating torrents of thought for how churches can get the most from their online social presence.

If you've questions around social media, Facebook groups and how to create artwork that leaves a mark, Naomi is more than able and happy to help.

Hear all about Naomi and this brilliant role.

This episode is also a chance to catch up with how church life in Kingsthorpe is evolving. These are epoch making times and the Methodist and Baptist church are in the process of forming an LEP.

But what will be the name?

Listen to Catherine Bruce explain the process and if you qualify to vote, you can email yours to [email protected]

Can you even begin to conceive what homelessness is like? To have no safety, warmth, routine or humanity.

The Hope Centre is in its 50th year and over the course of this winter, Queensgrove Methodist Church has become a temporary night shelter for those who seek the support of this wonderful organisation.

It's fascinating to hear how Louise and her colleagues break the cycle of despair and crisis.

From the Mission Team, you'll hear from Rev'd Kim Shorley, who is the FEAST enabler. Let's unpick the meaning of FEAST and how it can bring a sustainble vibrancy to church life.

There's also some news from Pam Kirkland - did you know that wonderful faith conversations can begin in the pub?!

He's never been afraid to identify the unedifying presence of antisemitism.

A return to circuit ministry means Rev'd Bruce Thompson has the opportunity to examine some of the more unsavoury views he has encountered over his time with the church.

The forthcoming District Study Day is being led by Bruce and is titled " Preaching with Sensitivity in Lent and Easter " - Being aware of anti-Jewish Bias.

You can hear a two part conversation with Bruce in this episode.

Details of the day and how to attend can be found here.

Mel Brown, the Overstone Pioneer Community Chaplain sends us a really animated and joyous report on all the successes she and her peers are having there - you can't fail but to be drawn in by her enthusiasm!

And what's it like to be both a treasurer and trustee in the Methodist church?

Keith Brooks tells his story.

Three Christmas stories from where you are.

Conversation, opinion and experiences of Methodism are in abundance, as you hear about the following :

Our man out there in the District, Matt Forsyth spends some time with Nigel Pimlott at the recent ReNew event. Find out how Nigel reflects on his role and what he thinks will embolden Methodist churches in the future.

Catherine Jones and Pam Kirkland of Kingsthorpe Methodist Church have just enjoyed great success with the Nativity they organised with some of the young people from King's Kids. (You might even hear some of the dramatic and vibrant performances).

Our final destination is Upper Wreake, where we meet local lay pastor Janet Norburn who shares some wonderful stories ( quite often around food! ) and an infectious enthusiasm.

We've also news on the Xmas appeal being run by the established and highly respected Hope Centre in Northampton. Please help if you can.

Wherever you were, I'm sure you fell silent.

You may well have attended a service of Remembrance. The village of Harpole in Northamptonshire was one of many places that felt the loss so deeply, so keenly. 47 never returned from World War One. It was event that changed so much and society's change was the church's change. Could a village chapel ever recover from this epoch making conflict?

We meet Mary Burt to chart the life and times of Methodism in Harpole and her role in it.

On his district wide travels again is Matt Forsyth and this month, he meets up with Holly Adams to reflect over the Restore Hope event in Amersham.

To find out more about more about Mission Planning, do visit the new District website - https://www.northamptonmethodistdistrict.org.uk/ For help in Mission planning, do contact the Mission Team Leader on [email protected]

You'll also meet Rev Calvin Cheung, who is steeped in the Chinese church; hear him speak of his experiences and the hope he holds for the future.

Cafe Emm in the Weston Favell centre in Northampton is a truly philanthropic place. With a direct link to Emmanuel Church, it feels like an extended family to its customers. Their latest project is a weekly event called " Singing for the Soul " and happens every Tuesday.

Anna and Scott tell the story.

One of the great pleasures of this podcast is to return to previous guests when they have a new or updated story to tell. The Rev Leslie Newton returns to talk about his new book, which was born out of his sabbatical. You'll hear an extract from it and a detailed chat about what the book holds.

Our third story is one with foundations in Cameroon. Two members of the Presbyterian Church spent some time recently in the Northampton District and they tell us what life and faith is like there and how their twinning with Northampton helps their inspirational work back home.

We've also got some what's ons and District Mission Enabler Matt Forsyth explains Out of the Ordinary, of which more details can be found here :

https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/advent-and-christmas-resources/

We started out as a podcast for the Northampton Methodist Church and now our wings have spread!

Thanks to the Methodist Church Northampton District, we're now reaching out to another 18 circuits.

With the help of District Mission Enabler Matt Forsyth, we're going to be telling so many more stories, relaying events and reflecting the places you worship in.

In this first episode of the new format, Matt sends a report from the recent ReNew event in Sileby. It's great to hear all the passion, vigour and mission.

Reverend David Spiers also joins us to talk about the year anniversary of Northampton Methodist Church. There are some fantastic initiatives and success stories and David explains the highs and the challenges.

Our final guest is dancer and dance teacher Emily Yong, who is part of Springs Dance Company - she's on hand to tell the story of their touring production and what it can do for your church. It is an amazing piece and has a wonderful track record.

It's been 3 years since we started One Voice. Back in 2020, the podcast set out an intention to tell all kinds of stories from all types of voices and now is the time to capitalise on that.

Northampton Methodist District is joining us from September and bringing with it a further 19 circuits. Think of all the fascinating and listenable stories that means; our aim is to capture those insights and experiences. Matt Forsyth, the District Mission Enabler is with us to talk about this big move.

Clare Clarke works for the Northampton Saints Foundation and they've been putting on a wonderful resource called The Memory Cafe. Hear her explain the ethos behind the project, its benefits and some breaking news that will bring even more good news with it.

If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast or know someone who has a story to tell, please email [email protected]