News
Our News page has details of future events in the District, Circuits, churches and wider community that may be of interest to you. It also contains reports of recent events and past newsletters, situations vacant and other helpful information, together with the current District news.
If you have events to be publicised on this page please email details to us.
11th November - New Events from churches have been added to the Churches Events page
The keynote address to September 2008 Synod by the Chairs of the District is now available to download
The District Prayer handbook for Sept 2008 – August 2009 is now out. You can download your copy here or contact the district office for your hard copy.
Methodist Conference 2008 Roundup Press Release - here
Press Release from the co-presidents of Churches Together in England for ‘A Time For God’s Creation’.
London District Worship Resources Centre opens October 1st. Faith & Worship Access Course begins November. For further details click here
Situations vacant page now updated with new jobs
New dates have been added to the Diary page
New Training Events have been added to the District Events page
Two Years on...
It hardly seems possible that it was only two years ago that we gathered in the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, to launch the new London District of the Methodist Church. So much has happened since then! In a Keynote Address at the Representative Synod in September, the District Chairs offered their reflection on the work of the District two years on; you may read a version of that address in the District Work → Synod section of this website.
It is important for us all to stop and take stock occasionally: to remember the vision and ideals with which we began; to see how far we have reached and to make any necessary adjustments. However, all of that becomes more challenging when one is dealing with an organism that is as large and as complex as the London Methodist District.
We discovered very early on that in District life most things take longer than expected to plan and to implement; and while that can be frustrating at times, we keep reminding each other that “If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk far, walk with others.” As a District, we are committed to walking with one another and it seems that our unofficial anthem is becoming, “God who sets us on a journey to discover, dream and grow.”*
But having a long term vision (you can hardly get longer term than Eternity!) does not mean inaction in the present. So we invite you to share the expectancy and hope that is beginning to spread as we see new initiatives being launched this year: in our work with young people; in the anticipated growth of members through EDEV – Extending Discipleship, Exploring Vocation; in exploring what it means to be a Church of many languages and cultures under the banner of Belonging Together.
Two years on, we hope that you have a clearer sense of the part you can play in helping us to be Good News in this Global City.
* © Joy Dine, from ‘Faith Forever Singing’, pub. New Zealand Hymnbook.
Circuit Stewards
Circuit Steward is one of the key roles in Methodism. In the next couple of months people in the Circuits will begin to consider who might be open to take on that role for the coming Connexional year. Those already serving as Circuit Stewards will be wondering about continuing for another year.
A measure of the importance of the role is that the District provides two training opportunities for Circuit Stewards every year – one for introduction to the role and the second for briefing about stationing. On a separate occasion, all Circuit Stewards are invited to meet with the Chairs to discuss matters of common concern.
There is no doubt that there are heavy responsibilities involved, but as ever with service in the church, the experience can be profoundly enriching. In the preparation of a new pack for Circuit Stewards in the London District, one senior Steward was invited to share his experience. This is what he wrote:
As a Circuit Steward - a role to which I believe I was called, I was rewarded richly through:
- engaging, sharing and fellowship with others (both lay and ordained), collectively and individually, in the Circuit Leadership team and churches of the Circuit and also at District meetings and events;
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exercising my God given gifts and talents, many of which I had not
previously recognised (specifically in relation to support of our
Ministers) - gaining a far wider perspective and appreciation of the relevance and importance of Methodism and its structures, beyond the local church;
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being challenged to think of creative and innovative ideas and ways to address the issues faced particularly by Methodism, but also the wider Church, in the 21st century, and encouraging and working with others to bring these about.
Click here for more information about ‘Becoming a Circuit Steward’ on 25th June, 2008.
Challenge to the District
At our Autumn Synod in 2007, as a District we accepted this challenge:Over the next two years:
- To recruit and train 20 Local Preachers under 20 years old
- To recruit and train 20 Local Preachers under 40 years old
- To encourage every Circuit to recruit and train 10 Worship Leaders
The Worship Task Group has been set up to provide resources to meet this challenge and support for Connexional training for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders. Click here to find their first report.
Birkbeck College
Short courses in theology and religious studies for 2008/9 More details
Street Pastors
At the February residential meeting of the District Superintendents, Rev. Les Isaac gave an inspiring and challenging insight into the work of the 'Street Pastors'. To find out more - www.streetpastors.org.uk
District Report
The 2008 District Report is available to download
Stories from the Circuits
Kingsdown Methodist Church - Ealing Trinity Circuit
The hoardings have gone; the barriers have been removed. The local community has been invited to look around and make use of the work Kingsdown Methodist Church has done to create a dramatic new space at the front of their building.
Harold Blackburn & Associates Ltd. have organized the redevelopment whilst members have worked hard with fundraising. Ealing Trinity Circuit has been amongst the generous donors. There is more work to do to renew other parts of our building, but all the church activities are continuing as usual and with exciting new space at the front even more will be able to happen.Rev Dr Stuart Jordan, Co-Chair of the London District, visited the church shortly after the new entrance had been opened on 30th March. He toured the new areas, spoke with the young people and with the congregation about the challenges and possibilities before us and across the London District.
Rev Roger Dunlop
Previous stories are available here
This page was last updated on 11 November 2008
