Welcome Service for Circuit's new Ministers

Two new ministers arriving at Congleton Circuit, Rev. Randall Smith and Rev. Ieuan Johnston, were welcomed at a special service held at Wellspring Church. 

Some Headlines from Methodist Conference

In the formal parts of the service, led by superintendent minister Philip Berry, Randall and Ieuan expressed their commitment to their new roles and the congregation responded by expressing their support for the new ministers.

On a more informal note, Rev. Anthony Tagg, deputy Chairman of the District, spoke about the ups and downs of ministerial life, in an entertaining sermon. Randall and Ieuan came forward to introduce themselves personally. Ieuan told us a little about his working and personal life, as a minister and earlier as a teacher, and about his time spent in Zimbabwe.  Randall expressed his pleasure at being here. 

Representatives from the Circuit, the churches and chapels under the new ministers' pastoral care and Churches Together in Congleton, also welcomed the ministers. The ministers' wives, Barbara Johnston and Michelle Smith, were presented with bouquets of flowers. A beautiful and very ample supper was then laid on by Wellspring Church.

>  Approval for the report ‘Priorities for the Methodist Church’, which will form a focus for the whole Church over the next few years. The Priorities were drawn up following the ‘Where are we heading?’ consultation process: a review of the viability of local churches and circuits.

>  Passing of resolutions brought by representatives of the Youth Conference calling for relevant worship and preaching in all Methodist churches, and the nurturing of prayer.

>  Adoption of a motion objecting to the presence of obscene internet sites promoting violent pornography and instructing Connexional team members to work with Government and the internet industry on this issue.

>  Easing of bureaucratic processes by piloting a scheme whereby property schemes for minor works under £12,500 in value (with some exceptions) can be approved at district level.

>  Approval of resolutions relating to serving alcohol on Methodist premises when a substantial proportion of a church's mission involves managing a conference centre.

[see the Connexional Link pages of methodist.org.uk]

Changes to MAYC Sports

[from the News section of methodist.org.uk]

Methodists  Lead on Disabled Access
is not enough

According to Property Office secretary Paul Ingram, most Methodist congregations wish to provide more than the minimum requirements and have provided a positive example in their communities.

Despite that, the disability charity Through the Roof is alarmed that fewer than half of the churches of all traditions in the United Kingdom will meet the deadline.

[The Methodist Recorder,]

I grew up in the Welsh valley town of Bargoed, about 15 miles north of Cardiff. After leaving school I worked as a laboratory technician while studying part-time, this led eventually to a university place to study physics.

I was sent to a Methodist Sunday School and attended Christian Endeavour. It was through this that I came to my first profound experience of the presence of God. I felt called to preach while still in my teens and finished my training at the end of my last year at University. I also married my first wife at that time!

I taught Physics for 20 years in Northampton, in a Methodist boarding school in what is now Zimbabwe and at convent school in Altrincham. During my time in Altrincham I felt a call to presbyteral ministry, candidated and was accepted. While I was undergoing training in Manchester I was minister of an inner city church. Subsequent ministry has taken me to the Morley Circuit, Manchester & Salford Mission, and the Accrington & Haslingden and Bromsgrove Circuits, being Superintendent in the last two circuits. 

During my second time in Manchester my first wife died suddenly and I subsequently remarried. Barbara will be accompanying me to Congleton. We have four children between us and by the time you read this we hope to have seven grandchildren between us!

We are looking forward to sharing in your ministry in Congleton, especially at Key Green and Cloud.

PS  Ieuan is pronounced 'Yi - an' and rhymes with Brian, said with a Welsh accent.

Sponsored Cycle Ride around the Circuit

Our four intrepid cyclists, Richard Gowing, Avril Waghorn, Rob Waghorn and Philip Berry, cycled a total of 33 miles connecting the 10 churches of the Circuit. They hope their efforts will raise a few hundred pounds for the Trinity Project.

The first 13 miles were heavy-going, with a number of serious hills to climb. The journey over the final 20 miles was a more leisurely ride. In the middle of the ride the intrepid four took part in the Sunday service at Congleton Edge and finished the day with the evening service at Trinity.

The picture shows the cyclists outside Trinity Church, having just completed their journey – and yet still showing considerable signs of life.

Replacing the Boys Brigade Bus

the old and the new
( new is on the left! )

The Boys Brigade bus is also used to take people to and from morning service at Trinity if they need transport.  

Over the years the previous bus had become increasingly cranky: endearing to some but infuriating to others.  And it was never designed to comply with modern safety standards.

The replacement vehicle cost £2,255.  Fundraising events included a Glen Draper concert in May, which raised £725.  That sum was then kindly matched by Barclays Bank.  The remaining amount will come from sources such as BB funds, the sale of the old vehicle and a contribution from the Ladies Club.  Many congratulations to all who have helped.  

Young People's Flower Service at Trinity

The young people of the junior church, together with Trinity junior church choir held their annual flower service.

 Flowers were brought into church and, after a hymn and a blessing, the young people went out to Moody Hall, Congleton, where they sang various songs and choruses, and gave flowers to the residents there.

The flowers and the singing were greatly appreciated.  The final hymn was 'All things bright and beautiful', where all the ladies and gentlemen from the Hall joined in.

The young people were asked to go again as often as they could as the event had been appreciated so much.  We thank all the young people and the choir for all their efforts.

[from Trinity Messenger]

C-of-E harvest worshippers will plough the fields.... 
and apologise

[World Vision News]

Harvest Festival services could soon expect worshippers not only to thank God for an abundant crop but also to repent for sins against the environment and for oppression and inequality.

Congregations which traditionally gather around piles of bread, fruit and vegetables to sing ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ will be asked to acknowledge their ‘selfishness in not sharing the earth's bounty fairly’. They may also apologise for ‘our failure to protect resources for others’ and for ‘inequality and oppression in the earth’. 

The new prayers are contained in the latest addition to the liturgy, the Common Worship: Times and Seasons, expected to be approved by the Church of England’s General Synod.

[www.worldvision.org.uk/church]

Presidents-Designate

The President-Designate of the Conference is the Rev. Thomas J Stuckey. 

Mr Stuckey has served in Scotland, Bristol, Exeter and the Reading and Silchester circuit. He has been Chair of the Southampton District. 

The Vice-President of the Conference is Mr John A Bell from the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District, a layman with a special interest in relations between Church and business/industry and the world of work. 

Born in 1942, Mr Bell studied economics/statistics at Manchester University and  industrial management at Leeds University.

[from www.methodistrecorder.co.uk]

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