Manchester Methodists

In this Harvest season, with its many reminders of your goodness to us and your generous provision for us, we come to offer our praise and thanksgiving. We are aware, Lord, that often we take so much for granted, and it is only when we see the effects of climate change, with soaring temperatures and lack of rain, that we realise how we have abused the balance of nature. And so, along with expressing our gratitude, we seek your forgiveness, Lord. We cannot turn back the clock, but we can all do something to slow the pace of global warming by making changes in our lifestyle. And, meanwhile, to pray for farmers and growers in this country and particularly in developing countries who bear the brunt of climate change.

Amen

This Homelessness Sunday, we are invited to reflect on “Community Cohesion” and what it means to build communities where everyone has a place to belong. is encouraging churches to use the day to raise awareness of homelessness and housing insecurity, while considering practical ways to respond in our local communities.

Homelessness is about more than having, or not having, a roof over our heads. It can mean the loss of security, community, relationships and a sense of belonging.

This Homelessness Sunday, let us pray for those without a secure place to call home, for those working alongside them, and for communities where everyone can find welcome, safety and belonging.

Stillness doesn’t come naturally or easily to us, Lord Jesus. We live in a busy, noisy world, and even when we manage to get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life and into a quiet place, so often our minds tumble with thoughts and our emotions are far from settled. So stillness is something we have to seek for, to wait for, often something we yearn for, a different kind of peace that only you can give. So, Lord, help us to make time today to be quiet with you. To focus our attention on you and allow you to take from us those things that would disturb us, so that we might find that inner calm of resting in your presence and being held in your love. Because then, Lord, we shall surely hear you speak.

Amen

Thank you to Rosie Blayds for our prayer for October:

Dearest Creator,

you have proven to us that your love is constant and never fails. You care for us and stay close to each one of us, especially when we are feeling down or poorly. We keep our hearts open to accept your love, which is overflowing. We feel your peace and kindness to each and every one of us and thank you for all you give us. We trust you; we love you, and thank you for holding us in your gentle arms.

Amen

Lord God, we live in such a broken world, broken systems, broken lives, broken relationships, with every day seeming to bring news of fresh outbreaks of war, of violence, of abuse, so where do we look to find beauty? The most obvious place is in your creation, Lord, where, as the seasons turn, we can find a sense of order and reliability in the assurance that, in the cycle of nature, even as plants die back there is the preparation for new life to emerge. But more than this, if we look for it, we can find beauty in the most unlikely situations, in acts of sacrifice, of kindness, of generosity – in those hope-givers who bring encouragement and help. And most of all because, through Jesus, we have the assurance that in the end love and light and life will have the final word. Let us hold on to that promise today, and do our best to bring healing where we are.

Amen

🖤 Black History Month 2026: Honouring Our Communities

October is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black history, heritage, faith, achievements and the many contributions that have shaped our communities.

As a Methodist Circuit, we are invited to listen, learn and celebrate, while also reflecting honestly on our history and considering how we can continue to build a Church where everyone is valued, welcomed and able to flourish.

This year, let's take time to hear stories that may have been overlooked, celebrate the contributions of Black communities, and reflect on how we can be people who build justice, belonging and love.

🙏 God of all people, help us to listen, learn and celebrate the richness of every community.

This Black History Month, may we learn from the past, celebrate the present and help shape a more inclusive future.

We all have difficult days, Lord Jesus, days when everything seems to be an extra effort, the printer jams, an unforeseen problem occurs, and we’re behind with that article that we’d promised to be ready that day – and so on! And how long those days seem – and how difficult it can be to get to sleep that night as it all keeps rolling round our mind! It’s good to know, Lord, that, when we are up against it, you are there with all the time, supporting us, strengthening us and allowing us to unburden ourselves on you. So, if that’s where we find ourselves today, and especially at the beginning of a new month with all that lies before us, let’s take time out of our busy routine to turn to you, to seek your presence, to know ourselves enfolded in your love and to find your peace.

Amen

A thought for October, by Rev. Catharine Hughes:

Sharing Resources

When we were younger (oh, who am I kidding - it is still true…) my sister and I were quite particular in making sure we got exactly the same amount. If there was a treat of lemonade with dinner, it had to be measured precisely. If there were chips, they were counted out. We were happy to share… but there were limits - and my limit was to make sure that I didn’t lose out.

This connexional year United Didsbury Methodist Church is looking at ‘Holy Habits’. Based on a book by Rev Andrew Roberts, this encourages us to look at ten habits of the early church, as illustrated in Acts 2.42-47. We are looking at one a month, and October has us looking at ‘Sharing Resources’. ‘All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.’ Wow. What an idealistic way to live!

In a world of variable harvests - be it in the allotment, the farm, or the company shares - we are repeatedly needing to make judgements about what is necessary and what is surplus, and how to divide the resources we have equitably. This year we have been warned by farmers across the country that yields will be much less this year due to the repeated heatwaves and extraordinarily hot summer. With less resource, market prices go up… and the poorest suffer most as food becomes too expensive. The result? Food banks will become a wider necessity; children will go to school on empty stomachs; the housebound will choose between heat and food.

The message from Acts is to spot who is in need, and then give up ‘property and possessions’ in order to meet that need. Surely this supports our call to be a justice-seeking church? With our city living we tend to be a step or two away from the stresses of harvest, but we understand food banks and support many across the circuit. Our proposed project in Clayton is meeting a need: that of adults with learning disabilities. The Wesley Centre houses charities whose services to the wider community we, as church members, cannot provide. All this costs - property and possessions - as the wider circuit supports these ventures.

My mother had a saying that she drilled into me:
There once was a man. The people thought him mad.
The more he gave away, the more he had.

Think about your gifts and talents: the resources you can share. Try offering them to someone in need. Perhaps you’ll end up receiving far more than you give.

A prayer for the Circuit Admin Team by Miriam Moules:

God or printers and tech that doesn’t behave, we thank you for the engineers and developers who make our work possible and we ask your blessing on the team who work for the circuit. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

What do we do, where do we go for help when we feel overwhelmed, when we’re faced with a crisis over our health, our job, our finances or the thousand and one other troubles that face us or those we care about - and the systems set up to help let us down. Where do we find the wisdom or the words that will build us or others up, and encourage us and them to keep going. There is only one place, only one person, and that is you, Lord Jesus, for you have lived a human life, you know suffering and pain from the inside, you know what it feels like to be let down by those on whom you should have been able to rely. And so we turn our eyes upon you, Lord, to your face, and in the love and compassion we see there we find the hope and the courage we need, and put our trust in you.

Amen