Update from CTMK

 

The Purpose of Churches Together in Milton Keynes is to draw together Christian communities from Milton Keynes and surrounding areas to: Show God’s love to the Borough and City of Milton Keynes Support each other as followers of Christ To do this, our initial plan is to: Build a network of churches from across the geographical area and a broad range of different Christian traditions and ethnic backgrounds. Generate a mailing list in order to enhance communication across a range of different groups to enable them to work together to more effectively serve the local community. Organise events that bring churches together to improve mutual understanding, build effective working relationships and increase the impact of joint activities. So as we come to the end of the first quarter of 2023, what have we been doing to meet the above?

Events We wanted to launch CTMK with a series of events for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. From 18th January - 25th January we held 8 events over 8 days. It involved 8 amazing teams in 8 locations bringing together the traditional denominations, Pentecostal and the Quaker tradition, and culminated in the official launch of our new charity and new logo! From Pentecostal Worship to Evensong, a Question and Answer Session to a focus on Climate Unity, plus a Concert, a Mission Fair, a Cost of Living Summit and more. It was a truly incredible week - with moments that will be remembered for a very long time. It was wonderful to see the rich diversity of the churches in Milton Keynes. And we did that with no member churches! A huge thank you to everyone who was involved and to everyone who came along to one or more of the events. Read more here

Support for Ukraine In January we were introduced to the Ukrainian Community in MK who asked if we would be involved in their Memorial Service. February marked the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. We helped to organise a Vigil for Ukraine on 24th February at the MK Rose. And the day after, Tim, George and Ann attended the Memorial Service dedicated to Ukraine at Christ the Cornerstone. At this service, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in MK became a member of Churches Together in Milton Keynes and signed the Membership Covenant. We were also delighted to support a Vigil for Ukraine at the Milton Keynes Quaker Centre. We look forward to supporting our Ukrainian Community further in the future. Read more here

Vital Signs In February, Ann attended the launch of the latest Vital Signs Report, produced by MK Community Foundation. Vital Signs focuses on 12 major themes, and combines published data with observations from local community organisations, to illustrate the lived experience in Milton Keynes. The 10th edition launched alongside a visual exhibition that celebrates a decade of growth and development in the city of Milton Keynes, as well as showcasing the report's findings. You can view the report here.  It's an important piece of work which can guide us to areas of need in our city. For example, the report shows that 18,000 children are living in poverty in MK. Yes, 18,000! As more households struggle, the demand for help increases and so MK Community Foundation have stepped up to provide grants to charities that specifically support the community in MK with things that ease the cost of living crisis. Vital Signs Boards MK Community Foundation have produced a selection of Boards which they are keen for churches and other community spaces to host - one, a selection or all 8 boards - for a few weeks at a time to stimulate conversations about the issues raised. Below is an example of one of the boards. Do get in touch with us if you would like to host these boards and we’ll put you in contact with MK Community Foundation.

Other Events… We were delighted to support and promote An Amazing Walk from Middleton Hall to the MK Rose on New Year's Day. 1st January 2023 was the official 250th anniversary of the famous hymn Amazing Grace, written by Revd John Newton to accompany his New Year's Day sermon for the morning service at the parish church of St Peter and St Paul's Church, Olney. Read more here

During December and into January, the Knife Angel was in MK as part of a month of Action against Violence & Aggression. The month of action was delivered in partnership by the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes Safety Centre (Hazard Alley), MK Dons and MK Dons Sport and Education Trust (SET), together with Loughton Baptist Church and ROC (Redeeming our Communities). The Knife Angel is a 27ft sculpture, made from approximately 100,000 bladed weapons collected in knife amnesty bins during police operations across the country. Created by the British Ironwork Centre, it travels to locations around the UK to educate children, young people and adults about the harmful effects that violent behaviour has on communities. It offered us an opportunity to talk about the message of peace and goodwill to all humankind as an "anti-violence" narrative. Read more here

Tragic Events in the world and closer to home  When tragedies happen, the Church responds with loving service. Following the tragic event in Netherfield at the end of January, Grand Union Vineyard Church opened their doors for a time of prayer for the community - a space to reflect and talk to a listening ear. On the day of the funeral of Leah Croucher at the beginning of March, Servant King Church & Community Centre in Furzton opened its doors for those who wanted to take a moment of reflection, quiet prayer or to light a candle in Leah’s memory. And when the earthquake in Turkey and Syria happened in January we promoted the appeal from MK based World Vision who work in the affected areas.

Happy Events Milton Keynes celebrated it’s 56th birthday in January. And in February, King Charles III visited MK to mark our new status as a city, awarded as part of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Here is our Trustee Revd George Mwaura with the King as he signed the visitors book at Christ the Cornerstone.

What Next? Thy Kingdom Come Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. Thy Kingdom Come 2023 will take place from 18th - 28th May. We are planning a series of events in MK. More details coming very soon! Annual Civic Prayer Breakfast We have taken over the running of this event and invitations will be sent out shortly to Civic Dignitaries, Business Leaders, Leaders in the Voluntary Sector and Church Leaders. It will take place at the beginning of July at Christ the Cornerstone.

Mission Priorities We are beginning to focus on the Cost of Living, Climate and Mental Health crises that impact our communities in a big way.

Member Churches As well as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Christ the Cornerstone are also full members of CTMK. We thank them both for their commitment to our work. We continue to meet with other churches, and as word spreads, more churches are contacting us to become members.

Why join CTMK? Members of MKCT will: be part of a network of congregations, supporting each other in mission to the city and Borough of Milton Keynes create greater awareness of the mission activities and events organised or promoted by member churches contribute to activity that will have an impact both on our churches and the wider community. Want to become a member? Do contact us either by phone or email and we will arrange for one of our Trustees to be in contact with you.

How to Contact Us Ann Harris - Administrator Tim Norwood - Chair of Trustees email: admin@ctmk.church tel: 07472 302106