Happy New Year. As another year gets underway we reflect on 2011 and hopefully look forward to 2012. I wonder what the year will hold for us in the district? Well we can never be certain ,but if I was to speculate I would say more financial insecurity for the country, a rise in unemployment, further cuts in services. Concern wisely expressed about youth unemployment.
In the district we can look forward to a great synod with Chick Yule as our speaker known to many by his books and as a regular on good morning Sunday. Two presidential and vice presidential visits often very stimulating occasions.
Visits from the warden if the Deaconal order to help us think about Deaconal posts. Also Martyn Atkins the General secretary leading the ministers retreat.

On Saturday March 17th we are holding the District Discipleship Forum at Littleover Methodist Church from 9:30am to 4pm.

Book your place through the District Web Site.

Extending Discipleship, Exploring Vocation (EDEV) is about encouraging Christians to grow in their discipleship, explore their vocation and discern their ministry.

A Full programme of events from the St Philips Centre

A new 6-session course about discipleship for small groups.

Examples used at the 2011 Circuit Stewards Consultation - Spondon

A short book about Christian discipleship from a personal Methodist perspective by Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain.

Through the website link, the book is available as:
- a pdf file (for use on personal computers);
- an Epub file (works on most ebook readers, including those from Apple and Sony);
- a Mobi file (will work with the Kindle ebook reader from Amazon, as well as Kindle software that runs on other devices).

Leaders' booklet for this 6-session course about discipleship for small groups.

Dates for the Diary - 2 East Midlands events especially for YOuth & Children's workers

As you know Sunday 18 March 2012 has been designated Discipleship Sunday across the Nottingham and Derby District. It’s a chance for all preachers and leaders of worship to focus on this important subject just a day after the big District Discipleship Event. To help preachers with their preparation and thinking about leading worship on that day we have put together some background thinking on the theme which we hope will help all those leading worship. In some circuits the day is also being designated Local Preacher’s Sunday so this information is particularly pertinent for any Local Preachers and Worship Leaders involved on the 18th.

It’s divided into 3 sections, each one looking at a different approach point to discussing Discipleship so as a preacher you can begin anywhere.

We do hope it proves useful for you not just on that date but throughout the year.