From The District Chair’s Desk

Greetings for the start of another new year – well, a new Methodist Connexional Year. September is the time when many church activities recommence after a summer break, when many people take up new roles. A number of lay people will be starting new responsibilities within the life of the local churches, circuits and district; we wish them well in their new tasks, and thank them for responding to a call to serve. That may well have come from their individual discernment, or because someone has encouraged them to fill a gap somewhere. Either way, it is God’s work in which we participate, and I have often acknowledged that none of us is really a “volunteer” but rather we are “called to serve”.

A number of ministers will be starting new appointments within the district – similarly responding to God’s call. Firstly, that call is to ordained ministry which has been affirmed by the church, and then each minister is in a covenant relationship with the Methodist Conference. This means that ministers are required to uphold the authority of the Conference in the life of the Church and to observe its discipline. Ministers have been reminded of this in a recent letter from the Secretary of the Conference, which will be an annual letter from now on. The letter reminds those of who are ordained ministers of the common discipline of annual stationing by the Conference. In the normal scheme of things, ministers will remain in an appointment for the number of years initially agreed, but occasionally they can be asked to move due to exceptional needs within the wider church. It is part of that covenant relationship mentioned above.

So, whatever your particular calling we wish you well in this new year. For many of you, it will be a continuing of your own journey of discipleship in well-trodden paths of service; may God bless you in those roles. For others, the new year will bring different, maybe surprising opportunities; thank you for rising to those challenges and may God bless each of you especially in times of change.

Every blessing, Stephen Burgess