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
‘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 FriendsAs 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:
- 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.
- Churches have been encouraged to ensure their Safeguarding and other policies are adequate and up-to-date.
- Evangelism is on the agenda as the Roadshow continues and Revd Otto Ntshanyana works with us in June.
- Youth/ Alternative Worship is happening, and the Circuit Worship Consultation is happening in June.
- All our Lay Workers have had their contracts renewed, and are to be commended for the work they do.
- Property matters are ongoing as always, and it helps when we meet together to pool our resources.
- In September, we hope to see Wharton URC appearing on the circuit plan as we enter a Special Agreement.
- Our Local Preachers bring their own style to pulpits and we include 'development spots' in our meetings.
- Network continues to provide a varied and interesting programme from which many more could benefit.
- 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.