Welcome.
We welcome our new Chair of the District, Revd. Dr. Liz Smith to Leeds. In her special role of having an overview of the Spiritual Life in our churches and meetings, we wish her God’s strength, wisdom and guidance and blessing as she settles amongst us, and makes new contacts and friends. We extend a very warm welcome also all our new Supers & Ministers in the District – especially those who are active within our own circuit. We pray that God will bless and prosper all that they do in His name.
A change of National Advocate for the LWPT.
As the first trustee invited to take on the role of National Advocate of the LWPT it has been my joy and privilege now for a whole year to speak on behalf of the different aspects of LWPT to new and established friends. I have personally been able to take our message to many churches, meetings, concerts and special events which often included a meal! These tended to be the better supported! On the whole, I have found folk to be very supportive and in good heart. Above all I would like to pay tribute to the superb work of loving care and tireless patience I have personally witnessed in each of our four homes.
This last Wednesday I went to Chasetown, near Lichfield, to personally hand over the 1849 LPMA Bible to my successor, Keith Rothery. With the signature of each President up to the present time, it epitomises the aspirations, the hopes and the wisdom of those who have represented the LPMA for one a half centuries. The Commissioning Service used was the same that Revd. Dr. Neil Richardson wrote especially for the LWPT last year when I was commissioned at Roscoe. Now I have encouraged Keith who now has the privilege of visiting people and churches in various parts of the country. He will have opportunities to further explain our work and encourage the Friends to continue to support us. And I anticipate that he also will have challenges on the occasions when he is requested to justify the reasons behind the important decisions which we as trustees recommend. I pray that God will bless all he does as the Peace of the Lord goes with him.
Our Leeds Focus Group.
We have tried to provide the Leeds area with a variety of occasions where Worship Leaders, Local Preachers, Deacons and Ministers can meet together for fun, friendship, fellowship and fund raising. We would like to invite you to a different format this autumn.
On Saturday afternoon, 20 th October 2007 at 2.45 pm please come and share in a relaxed atmosphere at our Rothwell Methodist Church and be spiritually recharged! Meet our new Chair of theLeeds District, Revd. Dr. Liz Smith, who would like to talk to as many Preachers and Worship Leaders as possible. Share in a Taize style of contemplative worship led by the Leeds Mission Group under the guidance of Revd. Patricia Creamer, which will lead into our Annual celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, when Revd. Dr. Liz Smith will preside with our new Wakefield Super, Revd. Terry Keen.
Finally at 5.30 share in a High Tea together. Our after-dinner speaker is the new National Advocate of LWPT, Keith Rothery, who is also the LWPT Treasurer. Keith is an expert on Methodist History, and he will talk about the history of early Methodism with particular reference to the Primitive Methodist Movement which began just 200 years ago at Mow Cop. As usual, feel free to attend the whole occasion, or just the afternoon, or the tea and talk. Please let John Witt know if you would like tea.
May Bank Holiday Weekend 2008.
The National Assembly of the LWPT has been invited to West Wakefield on 3 rd & 4 th May 2008! The planning group (NAP08) will be very happy to receive offers of pulpits for Sunday
4 th May for our delegates. For example, John Bell, recent Vice-President, is preaching at Oxford Place at 10.30 am. Please tell your Super that you would like to take part.
Do you know anyone who is kind enough to offer accommodation on Saturday 3 rd May night? The offers of accommodation will be linked to offers of pulpits wherever possible. Have you any special requests? Could you manage a couple? Some Friends may need an extra night on 2 nd or 4 th May, but it is anticipated that most people will return home after the Sunday afternoon Annual Communion Service. This is an opportunity to show our friends from the South of England what true Yorkshire hospitality is all about!
Thank you once again for all your support and prayers. I ask God to continue to bless all that we do in His most Precious Name. Yours in Christ, John Witt, Leeds Co-ordinator and Local Advocate!