Thackley Methodist Church and Community Centre

Forest Church 1 - 10 November 2019 We had a wonderful Forest Church session today, making the most of the beautiful crisp Autumn afternoon. We met in the church car park and then were lead by Kate Beck, a Local Preacher, down to Buck Wood. Pausing at the gate into the wood, Kate reminded us that we were entering our place of worship - our church - and then shared the story of The Lost Sheep. We spent an hour or so enjoying the woods, reflecting and sharing with each other about how it feels to be lost and fou nd and being reminded that, like the shepherd in the Bible story, God remembers every one of us and searches us out - we even had a game of hide and seek to illustrate the point! Next, Kate read us a Psalm, reminding how God is in and through all his creation and even knows each of the stars by name. We then crafted our own stars from twigs and wool, hanging them on a little sapling near the disabled access gate on to Ainsbury Avenue - if you spot them add a photo in the

Thackley Methodist Church 29 January 2-4pm  We all know someone with dementia, or perhaps we ourselves have a diagnosis. Let’s talk about it, and about how we can best help people in our churches to cope with what it means for them. Revd Gaynor Hammond , a Baptist minister who has presented workshops and written books on growing dementia-friendly churches, will come to Thackley Methodist Church on 29 January 2-4pm to lead a workshop. Come and share your experiences, ask your questions, find support. Please let Rev Christine Crabtree know you are coming, so we can be sure of making enough tea!