26 October 2017
Take a spin on the Wheel of Generosity
- Take your turn here
- It's
People are being encouraged to spin an online Wheel ofGenerosity and commit to small acts of kindness as part of a newcampaign from the Methodist Church.
A Generous Life is designed to help Christians rethink togetherwhat it means to be generous in their local contexts.
"Every act of generosity, however small, bears witness to ourgenerous and loving God," said the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, GeneralSecretary of the Methodist Church. "Generosity can be expressed inmany ways, whether through financial giving, dedicating your timeto help someone else, or sharing freely your skills and creativity.A Generous Life is a great opportunity to rethink what it mightmean for each of us to act generously as disciples of Jesus in oureveryday lives."
A range of resources is available here to help congregationsexplore their vision, commitment and generosity within the localchurch and its community. The resources are suitable for use at anytime of year, but are ideal for Aldersgate Sunday (18 May), whenchurches remember the day in 1738 on which John Wesley 'experiencedconfirmation of his salvation by the grace of God.'
A special, one-off issue of ROOTS magazine has also been produced,which features worship planning materials for adult and all-ageservices, as well as children's and youth groups.Every Thursday,people will be encouraged to say 'thank you' on Twitter to thosewho have made a difference in their lives, however great or small,using the #thankyouthursday hashtag. They can also share their ownstories of what generosity means to them when they register forcampaign updates.
When asked about the people who had inspired them to be generous,one respondent said: "When the woman who worked as my cleaner andchildminder in South Africa (a 'domestic worker') offered to takeon an AIDS orphan who was rummaging through our bin on bincollection day - she had so little but was willing to give so much.It inspired me to adopt a child permanently as a member of ourfamily."
Another said: "I am what I am today because of the generosity oftime and energy of my Boys' Brigade Officers in Scotland. I wasthere for five years, walked out at the end of those five years andhave never seen them again. They may think they had failed but theyplanted a seed. One day we will meet again and they will be sosurprised that I not only became a Christian but a minister."
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A range of images to accompany the campaign can be found online