Greetings from the Manse. May you read Stephen’s letter and support this worthy cause.
Mental Health Awareness Week is 9th - 15th May and has the theme of Loneliness. Lots of information and resources can be found here. Mental Health Awareness Week is hosted by The Mental Health Foundation. The Methodist Church funded PeerTalk in its earlier years and it is now six years since it became an independent national charity. PeerTalk now hosts 15 volunteer facilitated peer support groups for people who struggle with depression, anxiety and related distress. Our support group locations can be found here We continue to be thankful for the support that Methodist individuals and churches offer us. Our recent online event included Dr Lucy Johnstone and Dr Jacqui Dillon, two national leading psychologists, presenting on the difficulties that surround diagnostic labelling and moving beyond the biomedical model in understanding mental health. Their 10 minute presentations can be viewed here and here. PeerTalk's vision is to host 100+ support groups throughout the UK as a recognised brand of trusted community support that is organisationally robust and clinically credible. Alongside NHS clinical services we provide support in the often long wait for therapy and when the therapy has ended. Mental health struggles will be the focus of much media this next week. The Methodist Church can be pleased to remain a key supporter of PeerTalk's work and vision. Please consider forwarding this email to those who might be willing to support PeerTalk during Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. Thank you. Charities Aid Foundation Bank sort code 40-52-40 Account: 00030406
Today is your annual opportunity to elect those who will lead and represent you on Church Council. There will also be reports on the church activities available and one or two brief presentations.
GOD IN LOVE UNITES US MEETING – Wednesday 11 May at 2.00 pm and repeated at 7.30 pm.
SATURDAY 14 MAY, 10.00 am – Working Party. Please come and help with small repair jobs, cleaning and gardening.
WEDNESDAY 18 MAY, 7.30 pm – Pastoral Committee
TUESDAY 24 MAY, 7.30 pm – Resources Group
EASTER OFFERING
This collection for Mission Funds amounted to £168.75. Thank you to those who contributed.
OFFERINGS – The average for the first 8 months of the year was £670.37 per week against our target of £673.
BENEVOLENT FUND – The amount given in April was £26.50.
BARBARA WALKER would like to thank everybody for the good wishes she received on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
JUNIOR MISSION FOR ALL – We are hoping to have a JMA sale before long. If anyone has unwanted gifts or items suitable for the sale, please hand them to Janet or Wendy. Thank you.
FOOD BANK – We are now accepting donations again in the food bank collection basket in the foyer. Donations of tins and packets of food will be gratefully received. The donations will be given to the Food Bank at Cotteridge. If you want any further information, please see Hazel. Thank you for your generosity.
ALL NOTICES FOR THE NEXT SHEET (SUNDAYS, 22 MAY AND 29 MAY) SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REMI OLATUNBOSUN OR SENT TO info@longbridgemethodistchurc.org BY WEDNESDAY EVENING, 18 MAY.
1654/8 Bristol Road South Rednal Birmingham B45 9TY