Fresh Expressions

The Fresh Expressions Prayer for this month

Loving God, we thank you for long summer days and for the sense of freedom and joy this season gives to us. As we go out and about, help us to be ready to meet with you in different and unexpected ways. May we catch glimpses of your majesty and glory in creation, and may we recognise you in those whom we meet, however fleetingly, each day.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who is with us wherever we go.
Amen

There has been a Methodist fellowship in Perth since John Wesley’s time, and we are seeking ways of expressing Wesley’s vision in this time and place.

We believe that we can only do this if we listen closely to what God is calling us to do here and now in Perth.  We also seek to serve the needs of the city centre community and of our congregation. Many members of our congregation travel from the surrounding countryside to join in worship on a Sunday and others live in Perth city itself.

The Church Council agreed in early 2006 to form a separate group to consider fully the current and future mission of our church.  This group was also to consider any improvements to our church building that may be required as result of these deliberations. The group elected to call itself FRESH EXPRESSIONS; this is to echo the initiative of that name between the Anglican and the Methodist churches which is looking for fresh ways of being church.

The Perth Fresh Expressions team consulted with the congregation, has met regularly throughout 2006 and concluded that three things required attention in order to move forward. At its September 2006 meeting the Church Council approved plans to progress the items below.

1. To seek to improve the spirituality of the church by way of

• Increasing and making full use of prayer opportunities
• House groups for bible study and talking about faith
• Considering an Alpha style of course for both new and existing Christians
• Looking at new styles of worship and involving our young people

2. To Consider improvements to church premises

• Can we improve our street image?
• Opening up the church worship area for our Saturday morning visitors for prayer and meditation
• Making our grounds attractive
• In the longer term, improving our worship area and making it modern, flexible and comfortable.

3. Improving our communication

• There is concern that we are not well known in Perth – we are looking for ways to improve our visibility.
• Making sure we are listed in all of directories of Perth Churches.
• Seeking to establish the needs of the community.

We continue to pray for God’s guidance and blessing on our plans as we set about making them a reality.