One Voice - in partnership with Northampton Methodist Church & Methodist Church Northampton District

It's been 2 years since the methodist church of Northampton started this podcast. In that time, there's been such a rich depth of guests and talking points. Celebrate with us and revisit some of the wonderful contributors who've told their story to One Voice. We're really pleased to that the second half of the episode is given over to Michael Wadsworth from the Learning Network. Michael talks so e...

David Hallam is a television critic for The Methodist Recorder. For his weekly column, David sits through all manner of entertainment, documentary, reality and drama shows. But can any of it do harm? Can the programmes broadcast into out homes have the effect that Mary Whitehouse warned against? It's a very revealing listen, in which he talks about the challenges to his own faith and taste and wha...

Fill in the blanks. Love is...... Not as easy as you think is it? It's a discussion being stimulated by Mission Enabler Matt Forsyth and his colleagues and they're extremely eager to hear your definitions. Have a listen to Matt talking about his role and personal pathway to faith. Also Imagine an upbringing bereft of what most people would classify as normality. A childhood characterised by neglec...

Homelessness.  It's just unthinkable, isn't it? The notion of being without a home; a place that anchors you is one of most basic requirements as humans. What if you are without one? What if you exist, day to day, in a world that intimidates with suspicion and atrocious weather at every turn? The idea of coping with such adverse and soul-destroying conditions doesn't bear thinking about. One...

Many of us will have tried ( with varying degrees of success ) to capture our observations and feelings as the last couple of years have played out with all its challenges, adversity and loss. The Rev Romeo Pedro posted something he'd written called "Carpe Diem" and we're pleased to say he reads those evocative words in this episode of the podcast. From the United Stockport Circuit, Rev Dr Raj Bha...

Father Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints Church in Northampton and rural dean of Greater Northampton is a man with one eye and the Norman and Saxon history of the All Saints building and another on natty Christmas attire. In this two part exclusive, Oliver picks over the concept of civic pride in Northampton town centre and how, too often, there is a deficit of it. So what part does the church pla...

You probably wouldn't expect to listen to a podcast from the Methodist Church and hear about Humanism. That's exactly what we're going to explore in one of this month's conversations. Rachael Duggan used to be a Christian and by her own admission " wasn't a very good one ". This is the story of how she realised where she felt most at home ideologically. Even though her beliefs and principles are m...

How do you think you would feel if you were undocumented? That all certainty was removed from your life and in the eyes of society, you were no one? Imagine an existence that meant you feared authority; one where you struggle to trust anyone for fear of being returned to the place you're persecuted. This can be reality for those displaced from African countries.  The Rev Charity Nzegwu is a M...

There are all sorts of ways we can occupy the places that offer wonder and experimentation. Nigel Pimlott from the Learning Network thinks it's about " digging deep wells into the unknown " and challenging what leadership truly means. Nigel has some robust and really well thought out ideas on what it should take to lead the Methodist Church in 2021 and beyond and joins us in this episode. Tim Bake...

The desire to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty sits at the very heart of Christian Aid's mission . To champion those who live in some of the most difficult circumstances at the very margins of society is what they do 365 days a year. Martin Gage from the organisation is one of two guests this month and you'll hear some previously undisclosed stories about the w...

Do we offer costly hospitality?  The Reverend Sam McBratney of Dignity and Worth believes we have an obligation to open ourselves up to themes and subjects that cause us to question our own deeply held ideals. To move outside of our comfort zone and challenge long standing beliefs is a destination that should beckon us all. In light of the news that post conference, the Methodist Church is no...

It was only the other week that the President and Vice President of conference were articulating their grave concern about food poverty and food waste. In light of this, we're so pleased to be able to bring you a conversation with a worldwide authority on this very subject. Tessa Clarke is the co founder of Olio which uses an ingenious app to link up neighbours with each other and businesses, so t...

One Voice is frequently a glorious celebration of some of the best traits we have within us. In this episode, you'll hear of new chapters, defiance, resilience and belief.  Deacon Richard Beckett is about to "sit down" and so reflects upon his experiences ( which may involve some admissions about stunt kites ! ) which are many and varied and include the Young Leaders Scheme. Chair of the Dist...

" It was like a bomb had gone off " is the expression the Rev'd Richard Coles uses to describe the impact of his partner's death. The Reverend David Coles died in 2019 and in April of 2021, Richard's book " The Madness Of Grief " was published. It charts the sometimes combative nature of their relationship as alcohol addiction took hold of David and the trials that any type of addiction can bring....

We're now in double figures ! The podcast has reached 10 episodes and there are some really great things for you to listen to and get involved with. Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference has some witty and well observed things to say about his weekly online broadcasts that he does with Vice President Carolyn Lawrence. He also talks movingly about what it meant to be part of a near al...

Imagine this. A world free of nuclear weapons. It's a cause that Steve Hucklesby and countless churches and worshippers believe fervently in. In this episode, you'll hear Steve talk about the ways in which the campaign works and why success is vital. Jayne Louise Bassett is a counsellor with a private practice and someone who works with Manna House Counselling to facilitate online courses like the...

" I think it's important that we know about the darker side of life that far too many people have to deal with ", says Dawn Smith who volunteers for the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank. Part of The Trussell Trust , the foodbank performs an irreplaceable function and is pivotal in many lives being improved, acting as it does as a signpost for other related services. Amarjit Singh Atwal is with us too...

Could it be that our language around God is impoverished and somehow lacking ? It's one of the avenues of conversation that opens up as we talk to Carys Walsh, curate training officer for the Diocese of Peterborough. Her new book is " Frequencies of God : Walking through Advent with R S Thomas " and in this episode she explains the book's approach and her view of Advent. Carys implores us to "sett...

This is what you can expect from the next episode of the podcast, which is out in the next week,

The Methodist Diaconal Order has such a varied and inclusive heritage and Deacon Richard Beckett tells its story to John in the latest episode of the  podcast. " A really lovely opportunity to return to worship " is how Jenny Brooks describes being able to go back into church between the two lockdowns; her and husband Keith give a really good humoured account of how it's all looked and felt t...

Here's a heady equation : Type 1 Diabetes, social media and the Young Leaders Scheme . Heather spreads the message in a hugely innovative way. The Rev'd Phil Snelson confesses diplomatic skills as he tells us all about the notion of closer collaboration between churches. Foodbanks, street pastors and other wonderful initiatives are there to be capitalised upon and Phil has some great stories about...

Helen Cameron ( amongst other things ) is Chair of the District for the methodist church in Northamptonshire. She chats at length about her interests, family and the values that underpin the church. Listen out for mentions of her signature dish and a new title that she's managed to achieve ! Methodist Central Hall in Westminster has been reaching big numbers for its online services, something that...

The Senior Pastor at the New Testament Church of God, Donnovan Allen picks out why the worship in his church is so energised and vocal and then turns his thoughts to racism. He's felt prejudice and discrimination on a personal level and you'll be fascinated to hear his theories. I've never heard the cause of racism identified in an even remotely similar way; it's an extremely revealing conversatio...

" Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world ", says CS Lewis in the film Shadowlands. If that is so, what are the lessons God wants us to learn from the pandemic ? The Rev Romeo Pedro looks into his own personal faith and discusses this profound and searching question. Deacon Richard Beckett had to self isolate with COVID-19 and in the podcast, there is some personal and revealing insight into...

The Rev Romeo Pedro and Rev Francis M'Itiri are part of the team that ministers to the Methodist Churches of Northamptonshire. Both have compelling and engaging stories to tell. Most of all though, they want to hear your stories; stories that connect and resonate and build a renewed sense of community. In this opening episode to our brand new podcast, hear the challenges and changes they both enco...