Farnworth and Worsley Methodist Circuit

Superintendent's Letter

September 2008 A new Methodist year begins with opportunities and challenges in front of us of which yet we do not know. How can I know this? Because it is ever thus! Situations are changing within all levels of the Methodist Church, and of course, the implications are felt within the life of our circuit and churches; more people being asked to take on responsibilities within Districts, Circuits and churches. Within our own churches it helps enormously when those with responsibility see their role as an outworking of their discipleship (rather than a chore to be done or a role in name only!). And we all know that ministry is something which is shared by us all – not just those who wear the white collar, or are especially paid ; we all have our part to play in the Kingdom of God. We welcome back John and Kathryn Key, who have been managing Moorlands Christian Guild Guest House in Whitby until earlier this year. They return to preaching in our Circuit this quarter. You will see that a number of Worship Leaders have completed the second Worship Leaders Course, and are awaiting Church Council approval. We give thanks to God for their response to his call. Bearing in mind the above two paragraphs, please consider prayerfully whether God is calling you to be a Local Preacher or a Worship Leader – and have a word with your minister or a Local Preacher or a Worship Leader to begin testing that call. In September, we are going to continue with what seems to be proving to be an annual event – that of themed preaching. The Five Saints Team – of which St Catherine’s is a part – is spending time thinking, and acting, on the theme of being the BEST for Jesus – and we’re linking in with that. So throughout September in our morning services, we shall take one letter, and build a service around Being, Enjoying, Sharing and Through Jesus. The evening services for this quarter are also taking on new life! HOPE 08 is a national project encouraging churches to become more involved in, and relevant to, the community. The first two Sundays in September, October and November are going to be services uniting the evening congregations (but, of course, all churches are invited to come!) – with the overall theme of HOPE 08. September is to have the theme of VISION, led by Revd Ian Humphreys, October is looking at current and relevant films, led by Revd Philip Brooks, November we are delighted to have in the Circuit the new District Evangelism Enable, Revd Mark Street, who will not only lead worship in the evening, but lead a workshop in the afternoon, and I shall close on the second Sunday in November with a Communion Service. If you are not used to coming to evening worship, now is the time to try them out! May God bless you as you continue to seek God’s will, and serve Him in the life of your church, work, home and community.

June 2008

Dear Friends

 

As the Summer quarter begins, we look forward to a time when we hope there will be fewer meetings to attend, and a little more time to take stock of our lives and our church lives. Of course, not everything stops – there are holiday clubs going on around the circuit, and many people are involved in the running of these events which draw in children who often have little involvement with church.

 

We are delighted to welcome Thomas James into the life of the Circuit. Thomas is the baby son of Kathryn and Ian Humphreys, born on 8th May, and our congratulations and joyful prayers go to them as they begin the journey of parenthood.

 

We also pray for David, Katy and Libby Stretton as they move on to Macclesfield, where David begins his ministry. We pray that God will guide and bless them as they settle into this new way of life.

 

The Circuit Leadership Team is currently looking at staffing, and the appointment of Lay Workers (who from September are not to be given that title, but are to be known by the job they do, eg, Children’s and Youth Worker, Pastoral Assistant, for our current Lay Workers). We are pleased, that Revd Joe Wilson will be doing some visiting over the Summer months for Trinity and Kearsley Mount – so do look out for him; I know that he will be welcomed by those churches.

 

Certainly as a Circuit we are not standing still! Some may wish that we could for a while!

 

You will see on the current Plan, that each church has an ‘Own Arrangement’ service – the larger churches have two! Also some churches are having united services during August. All evening services in August will be Circuit Services, as in the past two years – please see this as an opportunity for fellowship across the circuit, and not just a combining of the three evening congregations ; whenever we have a special Circuit service, many people say ‘Why don’t we do this more often?’ – Well, we do! We have a Circuit Service every month! So come and enjoy the fellowship and worship this Summer throughout August, and experience different styles of worship.

 

Please continue to hold the Circuit churches and staff and stewards in your prayers. It is the prayers of the people which strengthen, support and encourage – indeed prayer is our very life and breath. – and remember that the staff hold you in their prayers also.

 

Remember also that the changes which are happening in the Circuit are a reflection of all the changes which are happening not only connexionally, but also across other Christian denominations. May we trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and follow where the Spirit leads us.

 

Finally, we hold in our prayers the people of China and Burma who are trying to recover from the natural disasters of cyclone and earthquake, and the agencies who are attempting to help them. May God’s comfort and peace surround and abide with all who are suffering.

 

 

‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen’ (Eph 3:20-21)



January 2006

Dear Friends

During the next few months, there are some interesting happening around the Circuit. In some cases, these happenings are life-changing for those concerned.

Firstly, please do try to attend the service at Wharton URC on January 8th at 2.30. This is a highly significant service at which Revd David Payne will be officially inducted as minister of that church. This has taken a great deal of prayerful thought and discussion, as the Methodist Church, URC Church and Greater Manchester Churches Together have sought to discern the mind of God on the way ahead for this unprecedented move. Revd David Payne initiated the plan and worked through obstacles; both Wharton and the Circuit are appreciative of his gifts, from which we benefit.

I am delighted to be able to tell you that David Stretton, who you will know as a Local Preacher for Boothstown, has been accepted for Foundation Training, and will be making plans for that training in the ensuing months. We pray for David, Katy and Libby. Also, Revd Ian Humphreys will meet with the Probationer’s Committee in April for the final stage in the discernment regarding Ian’s call to the ordained presbyteral ministry. We pray for Ian and Katherine.

Whilst we’re on the theme of training, development and call, you will, I hope, have been given a leaflet containing details for training opportunities around the circuit. These will help to develop your own God-given talents, skills and vocation, as well as provide fellowship with people from other churches. Already the Property training has been regarded as worthwhile, and given us a focus for our work in the future. So, if you are a steward, musician, children’s worker or pastoral visitor, there is something for you! Please do take up these free opportunities – they will benefit you as well as your church and the Circuit as a whole.

I’m also delighted that we have our first Circuit Magazine ‘Touchstone’. Why is the magazine so called? There’s an explanation on its back page! We hope that this is just the first of future editions, so if you have any comments to make, please contact David Cowpe. In order for the magazine to have continued success, there needs to be a flow of articles. Thanks are given to the representatives of each church, David Cowpe and Ian Lord. Please ensure you know who your church rep is.

Pray Without Ceasing has brought wonderful blessings around the Circuit. There are Advent discussions taking place, and there will be Lent ones, too. Walkden is preparing another Prayer day to which the Circuit is invited. If your church is arranging something else on the theme of prayer, please let us know. I would also like to promote the Taize services at Salford Cathedral on the first Friday of each month at 7.30 – though not January.

Springboard is now taking shape, and the Staff and Stewards are making this a basis for developing a Circuit Policy at our Away Day in February.

At the suggestion of some visitors to our churches, I have placed membership figures with the name of the churches on the Plan, postcodes of churches alongside church contact names, and indicated those churches which are LEP’s, or as with Wharton, with whom our Circuit is in a special agreement. I hope you find these additions give useful information for you, too.

Finally, some of our Local Preachers are unavailable for appointments, or are unable to supply more than one appointment this Plan, because of illness, studies, or other circumstances. Please pray for your Local Preachers, who provide a variety of styles of worship and ministry according to their gifts.

May God’s richest blessings be yours - Revd Enid Knowles


September 2005

Dear Friends

As this Methodist year closes, so does my first year as the 'resumed' Superintendent of the Circuit. Following the many changes of the recent past, this year has seemed a little calmer to me. But that does not mean to say that nothing has been happening - indeed much has been happening which will benefit the circuit in many ways:

  1. Staff and Circuit Stewards have been collecting data and Springboard is taking place across the Circuit - information from both of which will help us to formulate a Circuit Policy and Mission Statement.
  2. Churches have been encouraged to ensure their Safeguarding and other policies are adequate and up-to-date.
  3. Evangelism is on the agenda as the Roadshow continues and Revd Otto Ntshanyana works with us in June.
  4. Youth/ Alternative Worship is happening, and the Circuit Worship Consultation is happening in June.
  5. All our Lay Workers have had their contracts renewed, and are to be commended for the work they do.
  6. Property matters are ongoing as always, and it helps when we meet together to pool our resources.
  7. In September, we hope to see Wharton URC appearing on the circuit plan as we enter a Special Agreement.
  8. Our Local Preachers bring their own style to pulpits and we include 'development spots' in our meetings.
  9. Network continues to provide a varied and interesting programme from which many more could benefit.
  10. Circuit staff meet regularly for business, fellowship, social and quiet times.

None of this could happen without the Circuit working together as a team. We are encouraged to 'build each other up in love.' Your presence at Circuit events and meetings really does make a difference and benefits us all.- if your church is not represented at meetings, then it feels to me as though the 'ring' of 'circuit' is broken and we miss you! I hope you have a refreshing Summer, finding time to relax a little! And we wish David Payne a fruitful sabbatical.

Sincerely Yours - Enid K.