As of Tuesday, 17th March the Trustees of The Bread Church suspended all bread making until further notice. As of 11th June, 2020, Methodist Churches In the Liverpool District remain closed.  Please read the statement from the Chair of the Liverpool District which explains why. We look forward to welcoming you to The Bread Church when we are able.

 

During this time of lockdown, we have added pages about on-line worship, prayer, help in Liverpool and activities to do at home to keep us all connected.

Look at our Action for Children charity section for help with your children during the coronavirus (Covid 19 ) pandemic.

 

Do scroll through the other pages; to see how we normally work.  We look forward to welcoming you to Somewhere Else in the future.

 

If you need to contact either our Minister, Reverend Ian Hu, or myself - Lorraine Howarth (Administrator), then email info@somewhere-else.org.uk as we continue to work from our respective homes for the foreseeable future.

 

You can also stay connected to our community through our facebook page, which is organised by our One Programme Participant - Laura.

 

 

The Bread Church (also known as Somewhere Else) is an inclusive community that meets around the making and sharing of bread. We offer a warm welcome, hospitality and friendship to those of all faiths and none. 

 

We are open twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10.30 - 2.00 to make bread by hand, with individuals and community groups of all ages and abilities.  The sessions include time for:

• all the elements of making bread,
• conversation and refreshments,
• shared reflection and prayers, and
• a simple meal together, prepared by volunteers and those who come to make bread.  

Anyone wishing to make bread is asked to arrive by 11a.m.  To share in other parts of the fellowship - coffee, conversation, Reflections and lunch - people arrive at any time from mid-morning onwards.

 

The activity is usually led by our resident Minister, the Revd Ian Hu, and facilitated by a team of volunteers who help with hospitality, and guide visitors through the steps in bread-making.

 

We also hold meetings for worship and contemplation  at other times. Scroll down this page to read about our Quiet space on Tuesday sessions last year. 

 

Check this website or our facebook page to keep up to date.

The Bread Church - Liverpool City Centre Methodist Church

'It is with outrage and deep sorrow that we have witnessed the recent brutal killing of George Floyd in the United States.

 

 But outrage and sorrow are not a sufficient response to racism and inequality in society. How to begin a process of change? It starts with self-examination and listening to the people whose lives are affected by discrimination and hate......'

 

In response to a letter which she received this week, from a South London Methodist, about racism and the lack of support from The Methodist Church over the last 15 years for the injustices experienced by BAME young people, Barbara writes: There is no excuse for racism. All people are made in God’s image.  We are one body in Christ Jesus.

 

Follow the link to read the full message.https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/latest-news/all-news/a-personal-message-from-the-president-of-the-methodist-conference-the-revd-dr-barbara-glasson/

 

On the 21st April, a former regular attendee at the Bread Church - Violet - sent a message  to the community, via facebook, from her new home in Germany. Violet moved there in March.  It was great to hear that she is well and still baking - though yeast was just as rare back in April there as it was here.  

 

This is what she said:

This is a wonderful place to come and spend a few hours. It is not just for folk who have religion (I don't), it's for anyone to enjoy.  The people who come here are really lovely and kind folk who are interesting to talk to.  The whole idea is amazing and it is a shame there are not more places like this for people to go.

 

I went regularly, twice a week, with a girl I supported who enjoyed baking, we made heaps of lovely things together and always felt welcome and relaxed.  I miss coming along to the baking and only stopped as I moved to Germany.

 

Thanks so much everyone, I will miss you.x

 

Do 'like' our facebook page and check it regularly, as we are keeping connected through this and our website.

 

 

 

Here at Somewhere Else, we have a wish wall in the main room.  When we are waiting for the kettle to boil or our bread to prove, then people may physically write their wishes for local and national issues on a post-it and glue it to the wall.  If you log on to the Methodist Website https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/prayer/prayer-wall/ you will find a prayer wall, where you can add your concerns.  

 

Do take time to have a look, as it is another way for us to feel connected.

 

The Methodist Church Website has also added prayers connected with the pandemic not only from the UK, but from our brothers and sisters around the world. https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus/prayers-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

 

Follow this link for A prayer for Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=Z9KRMAFgk7o&feature=emb_logo

 

A prayer for all people during lockdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LoWxlpLfDA

 

Members of the SWE community say a prayer together, which is posted to our Facebook page, every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 8 pm.

Both members of the Somewhere Else and the CASAI communities welcomed the opportunities to grow, share and express creativity around various areas of faith. 

 

These are some of the results of that time.

This collage was based on ideas contained in At Sea with God by Margaret Silf.

On Sunday, the 14th of April, members of Somewhere Else and CASAI (Church Action on Sexual Abuse Issues) met for a time of reflection on the words from Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. The group of fifteen took time to produce decoupage hearts, whilst reflecting on the passage.  Our friend, Carole Benn then led us in a poetry workshop. People produced poems around the themes of "Space" and "Ten Things about Me".

 

Everything has its time

Absolutely not based on Ecclesiastes Chapter 3  1 -8!

 

The trouble with Ecclesiastes,

Is that all that rhymes are nasties

Unless you’re in to Cornish Pasties!

 

So time to create

And agitate,

No more hate

God’s love is great.

His amazing grace

For every race,

Colour and creed

And those in need.

 

For his grace is the answer to all,

Picks us up with his love when we fall,

And he hears us when we call,

When we throw it- he catches our ball.

 

The Byrds had a time and season,

A purpose under heaven and reason.

 

The Bryds, how absurd.

Had they heard

God’s word?

 

Has God’s calm,

His holy balm,

His loving arm

Kept you from harm.

 

If not, don’t cry,

Try,

Fly – for in CASAI no one asks why,

No questions that pry,

No need to lie,

For in time

Life will rhyme

And you can climb.

It’s not a crime

You just need time

To see a sign,

And meet the vine

Strong and true

Firm as glue.

For God’s in charge

Of life’s decoupage.

 

 

Andrew Lovelady

 

10 Things I love about Myself

 

 

Here is my voice – crying out passion with vibrating chords of endless sound.

 

Here is my sight – eyes caressing the forms, being one with light.

 

Here is rhythm – percussion, pounding, repeating, my hands dancing, foot tapping, heart racing.

 

Here is my kiss – no words, just love’s impact, whistling a tune of you and me.

 

Here is where I stand – treading the boards on the clouds of the earth, ‘Oh my feet ache.’

 

Here is my flavour – spectrums of taste and colour, eaten well, ‘Tea’s up.’

 

Here is my idea – Sheer and clear, God gives me skin to fly, watch the gulls and flying thoughts.

 

Here is your space – my friend no time to waste, together kindred under heaven.

 

Here is faith – not placed, infinite body, everywhere from me to the master.

 

Here is God – soul’s seat, complete, a gift for life. My heart is yours.

                                                            Paul Duncan

 

Heather’s Haiku and other poems

 

 

Sunday afternoon

 

Sharing round a large table

 

All are fabulous.

 

Paddle in hand, I’m ready!

Keep an eye on that ball!

Small and white,

Bouncing towards me,

Smack! A point on the board,

Over to you.

 

Sometimes in the dark

 

Sometimes in the dark I think

Sleep will never come.

Count backwards, relax, - impossible!

 

Sometimes in the dark I dream

My handbag gone,

Run, frenzied, wake – a real nightmare!

 

Sometimes in the dark I feel

Fulfilled, cherished loved,

Safe in God’s care – an answered prayer.

 

 

Heather Lovelady

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch at Shelly’s

 

Plan a quiet day

A purpose under heaven

For every season.

 

 

Interchangeable Haiku

 

 

Having a together time

Need to take some time for me

Space and quiet please.

 

                                     last 2 lines can read –

 

Move away from me

Get lost you bobo!

 

Ode to the Trafford Centre

 

Take the right road out

Shopping dreams and food

Home away from home.

 

Palm Sunday Quiet Day

 

Writing our haiku -

Maybe you can kindly muse

Creativity.

 

Pride

Pride summer season

Celebration of ourselves

Solidarity.

 

Ian Hue

 

Haiku by Alex

 

Will I trust again

Open up my heart anew?

And say ‘I love you.’

 

***

Is it any wonder

I want to hide deep under

Tough times like thunder!

 

 

***

Bright new days are here

Wiping away every tear

Rising up, no fear.

 

 

***

There’s hurt and pain -

I put on my smile again

No rainbow without rain.

 

 

***

You know my heart’s cry

To my old self I must die

I will heal and fly.

 

Alex Gayward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Policy

The Methodist Church's Privacy Notice