Second edition
2008
Second edition
2008 |
- Introduction
This report has been
produced on behalf of the Colchester Methodist Circuit as an update to the first
edition prepared in July 2005. Since July 2007 each of the fourteen Church
Councils has reviewed the developments in their local Vision in the light of
the Methodist Our Calling statements. Recognising that the Circuit is more
than the sum of its Churches, responses were also requested from each of the
Circuit Working Groups and from the Abbeyfield Community Project.
Some of the documents
produced by this review were quite lengthy. To limit the costs of printing,
this report merely summarises these documents. The full reviews are available
on the circuit website at:
www.colchester-methodist-circuit.org.uk
The summaries in this report
together with the full documents on the website will form the submission to the
District’s review of the Circuit in the autumn of 2008 as part of the
process of ‘Mapping a Way Forward – regrouping for
mission’.
- An overview of the Circuit position
Since September 2006
Colchester Methodist Circuit has been part of the Bedfordshire,
The four Sectors of the
Circuit remain unchanged from 2005. Following a year with only three Presbyters
and a Lay Pastor, who was candidating for the Presbyteral ministry, each is
currently served by a Presbyter, one of whom is the Superintendent Minister.
Another Presbyter is a Probationer and the wife of an Anglican curate in Halstead.
She lives with him and the circuit has established an office base for her at
one of her Churches. An additional Probationer is resident within the Circuit
and serving on a part-time basis, while continuing in secular employment. The
Diaconal appointment has been extended and is now based in the Abbeyfield
Community Project. The Deacon is resident in a house purchased by the United
Reformed Church.
In October 2001 the number
of members in the Circuit was 688 and in October 2004 was 674. In 2006 there were
659 and in 2007 there were 639. This represents a 3 per cent decline in a year.
The District membership was 11,813 in 2006 and 11,569 in 2007, a decline of
less than 2 per cent. The Colchester Circuits needs to increase its efforts to
make new disciples of Jesus Christ. There are a further 547 people for whom we
exercise pastoral care, making a total community roll of 1,169. In terms of
membership,
Since the physical
attributes of the individual church buildings have not altered significantly
since 2005 this report will concentrate on spiritual developments. However, it
should be noted that:
- there has been considerable improvement work on
the schoolroom at Boxted;
- a vestry at Castle has been converted into a
classroom to maximise its use both as a service to the community and
revenue generation;
- currently the structure of the church building
at
- Church summaries
These are arranged by Sector
and alphabetically within the Sectors. This is the order in which the Churches
currently appear on the Circuit Preaching Plan; it is not the same order as was
used in the 2005 document. Within the summary of each Church the Our Calling
headings are used. When viewing the full documents on the website it will be
apparent that not all Churches followed this format, but it was agreed by the
Circuit Meeting that this was helpful for purposes of comparison.
- Mersea
Worship – experienced
local preachers and worship leaders;
Service – Mother and
Toddler group growing;
Learning and Caring – offer
training in Fire Risk Assessment and Church Audit; advice to other churches on
‘how to raise a small fortune with a small, elderly congregation and the
help of God’;
Worship – prayer
centred, using musical talents of congregation, greater participation in local
arrangements;
Service – monthly
hymns singing at Tall Trees, other forms of Christian presence in the home to
be explored;
Learning and Caring –
house groups re-organised, pastoral group leaders will be responsible for
supporting extended Communion to housebound members as need arises;
Evangelism – building
on contacts through existing organizations and users of premises; members
committed to involvement with Parish Council and
Community Association.
Worship – aim to
increase the number of people taking part in worship; monthly mid-week Faith
and Fellowship evenings led by worship leaders;
Service – supporting
the provision of a Christian presence on Abbeyfield by distributing welcome
packs;
Learning and Caring –
increased commitment to regular private and corporate prayer; monthly prayer group
re-located to Hill House and attendance increased; prayer table re-located to
more accessible position in church porch; wide variety of prayer requests
received; Bible study groups continue;
Evangelism – aims to
increase use of IT and make better use of exterior notice boards, to ensure
that users of the halls realise these are church premises and their
availability is part of Christian witness, to improve and build on existing
youth work; well-designed and regularly updated website; improved quality of
posters and frequent changes; crosses placed in both halls; evangelism through
youth work in the form of regular ‘Fun Days’, weekly
‘Lighthouse’, who lead worship quarterly, fortnightly Sunday
evening youth meeting at the manse.
- Castle
Worship – gained from
ventures into new forms of worship and hymnology; three worship leaders and two
local preachers in training; venturing into projection of worship material;
Service – catering
team fully stretched to meet existing demands; active senior citizens group;
Learning and Caring –
the number of copies of recordings of services distributed each week continues
to rise; aiming for wider participation of congregation in covenant with town
centre parish; tentative approaches have started with URC in Lion Walk;
Evangelism – raising
our profile in the locality; high quality leaflets for the neighbourhood;
outreach through Boys’ Brigade.
- Highwoods
Worship – quarterly
Prayer and Praise evening; started weekly Prayer Focus on notice sheet; two
worship leaders trained;
Learning and Caring –
pastoral leaders review needs for help and support; four regular house groups,
plus Lent and Alpha courses, annual ‘Away day’ to discuss
developments in church life;
Evangelism – baptismal
reunion service, monthly ‘Tots Praise’, holiday club for children,
craft days associated with Christmas and Easter, monthly group for older girls.
- Boxted
Worship – special
services held offering contrasting ways of worship from a lively party style to
quiet reflection; much appreciated Prayer Labyrinth during Holy Week 2007;
Service – once work on
the schoolroom is complete there are plans for promoting its use, together with
the quiet peaceful place of worship alongside the hall, as a resource for the
village, the circuit and the wider area for away days;
Learning and Caring –
continued to develop pastoral care and concern for those in church family and
surrounding area; Bible studies and prayer groups have helped and guided
planning for local arrangements, are a great source of encouragement, and
support a sense of teamwork within the fellowship through sharing together;
Evangelism – working
with parish church to developed shared services, lunch, walk of witness,
quarterly café services in the village hall; possibility of working with
parish church in having a youth worker for the village; Silver Band provides
opportunities for outreach at monthly services and many concerts; training band
attracts new members of all ages.
- Eight Ash Green
Worship - we encourage
preachers to challenge us with more modern and progressive forms of worship
using our open and flexible worship space, and congregation, in interesting
ways. We are blessed to have three Local Preachers in the church and are happy
to organise local arrangement services.
Service - we have a strong
social conscience and hold events such as the “Big Tea Party” and
coffee mornings to raise funds for charities such as Tear Fund, Christian Aid,
the Leprosy Mission and Open Doors. We like to respond to emergency appeals.
Learning and Caring - We
enjoy a monthly Bible study (led by our Minister Ruth). We enjoy a supportive
fellowship that has helped many of us through testing times and challenges us
to continue in God’s grace. The warmth of this fellowship has been
noticed and commented on in an encouraging way by occasional visitors.
Evangelism – we hold a
successful club for women twice monthly, encouraging those less likely to
attend Sunday services to attend on a Monday. We encourage “the
public” to join us for various social and fund raising activities
throughout the year including our very well attended jazz evenings featuring
nationally and internationally successful musicians.
We seek to treat people with
God’s care and show them an attitude not known outside his people, as
well as familiarising them with the inside of a church and encouraging them to
join us at other times. Having been through a number of difficult times and
changes of leadership we now hope for a period of stability, consolidation and,
God willing, growth. Mindful of the serious and increasing financial challenges
in church upkeep we seek to maintain focus on our mission. The challenge we
face is to be open to God’s prompting, through the Holy Spirit, and work
with him to be faithful and serve the local community thus exposing others to
his love and grace. We hope to find ways to make ourselves more visible to the
local community, perhaps by means of a leaflet and perhaps a survey to identify
people’s attitudes to the Church and their
possible needs, whilst continuing to support one another and grow in our
faith.
- Lexden
Worship – importance
of prayer has increased; in addition to regular prayer times and quarterly
prayer breakfasts a prayer ministry following morning service has been
established; dedication services for babies; worshipping and witnessing with
other churches in the sector and ecumenically; new members received by
transfer; growth in quality of worship and fellowship;
Service – two residential
homes visited regularly; church hosted non-church groups; weekly Mums and Tots
group, monthly coffee mornings with bring-and-buy support many causes locally
and worldwide;
Learning and Caring –
pastoral visiting and prayer continue to be important, together with
‘care and share’ groups, bereavement support, family nurturing;
growth in concern for each other and those outside the Church;
Evangelism – still
mainly of a quiet one-to-one nature, offering love and friendship at every
opportunity as the Spirit guides; some members involved in outreach to overseas
students through Friends International and others involved in voluntary work in
local schools; church magazine distributed to people beyond the church; weekly
notices expanded and delivered to those unable to attend services; vision has
widened and deepened with an increasing desire to reach out to people around us
and to touch the lives of those who have little or no interest in God.
- Marks Tey
Worship – enjoy a mix
of traditional and modern worship; two worship leaders; good feel to local
arrangements and people have confidence to join in; monthly midweek Communion
jointly with parish church;
Service – have become
a Fair Trade church and using environmentally friendly cleaning materials as a
result of social justice and environmental issues raised in a recent Bible
study; coffee mornings restarted after a gap and are timed to coincide with the
local car boot sale;
Learning and Caring – enjoying
Bible studies; members working closer together, discussing, making plans
encouraging new forms of discipleship, supporting each other;
Evangelism – members
have attended the meetings about the Tollgate development and, although the
form this may take is still unknown, the church could make a contribution to
the outcome.
- West Bergholt
Worship – need to be
energised by faith, scriptural teaching and prayer;
Service – confidence
in working as a community;
Learning and Caring –
studied ‘Presence’ and ‘The Healthy Churches Handbook’;
Evangelism – need to
maintain an outward focus.
- Brightlingsea
Worship – new people
attending services, including those newly retired; high-profile visiting
preachers at evening services; new members received;
Service – weekly Mums
and Tots; many local groups use premises;
Learning and Caring –
flourishing midweek fellowship; pastoral care rated highly; two members of
circuit healing team;
Evangelism – flower
festival and concerts provide opportunities for attracting non-churchgoers;
reputation throughout the town for being friendly and welcoming; visitation of
new housing developments; coffee mornings [in gardens in summer] attract guests
and people on the fringe.
- Fingringhoe
Worship - offer worship in a
flexible setting and explore the option of occasional services at a residential
home and extended Communion; explore the feasibility of a ‘tape’
ministry for the housebound; Sunday afternoons offer an opportunity for
preachers to attend worship and LP’s in training to be heard; regularly
celebrate the Christian Festivals and hold out a welcoming hand to all;
Service - support the
Abbeyfield Project by providing cakes monthly and regular prayer; provide new
Christian books and resources for the Chapel, Circuit and District; provide
Fairtrade products for sale and be an active Fairtrade Church; provide
hospitality for Away Days, Outings, Dinners and Teas to the Circuit and wider
community; to launch (May 2008) a Luncheon Club (primarily for senior
citizens); three LP’s in our congregation and members who serve the
Circuit and District in various ways including a presence on the Leadership
Team;
Learning & Caring -
continue to seek positive links with the Parish Church, through joint worship
(Christian Unity), training (e.g. joint worship leading); will develop our
fortnightly Bible Study and alternating Fellowship groups, opening them up to
the village community and friends; widen our Christian network and seek to
learn from each other;
Evangelism - involvement
within the community, including the school, the local church, care home and
village fete; build on the opportunities given at the weekly coffee morning for
socialising, fellowship and prayer ministry; fostering good and caring
relationships.
- Trinity
Worship – continue to
plan local arrangements services with most members making a contribution; plans
for joint services with Anglicans;
Service – use of
building has greatly increased; support Beacon House;
Learning and Caring –
enjoyed joint Lent study group with parish church; monthly social afternoon;
monthly news leaflet for members and visitors;
Evangelism – regular
news item in community magazine; aim to leaflet the village; plans to publish
welcome leaflet for new residents.
- Wivenhoe
Worship – Thursday evening
Communion; occasional all age worship; full participation of congregation; four
local preachers in membership;
Service – connections
with university students; registered as a Fair Trade church; community use of
premises;
Learning and Caring –
caring, loving community church; Alpha course held
ecumenically; support for
Araali family who returned to Democratic Republic of Congo; Bible study group;
Evangelism –
covenanted to Churches of other denominations in Wivenhoe, thriving ladies
fellowship; visits from and to local school; increasing membership.
- Working Group reports
The first five of these are
arranged under the Our Calling headings, with Learning and Caring as two
separate working groups. The meeting of Local Preachers and Worship Leaders undertook
the review of worship across the circuit. The 2005 report included a section on
the work of the Deacon. This has been replaced by a report on the Abbeyfield
Community Project. The 2005 report noted the need for a review of resources and
finances. In 2007 a Circuit Finance and Resources committee was established and
their report is included.
- Worship
We examined the roles of
Preachers and Worship Leaders. Training is essential and there is a good system
operating in this circuit. Many Preachers make little use of Worship Leaders;
others involve Worship Leaders early in the planning stage of the services and
this is of great benefit in bringing new insights into the finished service.
Enthusiasm is infectious and spills over into services that are joyous. It was
felt that there should be a place on the agenda of the Local Preachers meeting
for Worship Leaders to bring their concerns or to share information about their
local Church situation. Worship Leaders are best fitted to lead intercessory
prayers for local concerns.
There was concern about the
prayer life of the circuit and it was suggested that a retreat focussing on
prayer might be a way forward. In the circuit some sectors have study days and
quiet days and build up the fellowship within a sector by worshipping and
arranging other events to bring people together. It would be helpful to have an
up-to-date list of the regular prayer opportunities at each church.
Difficulty was expressed of
praying for a list of people whom many of us didn’t know or for
situations we knew nothing about. A system that would provide more information
without breaching confidentiality would be helpful.
Raising the standards of
existing preachers is important and we should all, Preachers, Worship Leaders
and congregations, give and receive feedback, offering encouragement and
contributing ideas to enrich worship. Some congregations are said to object to
different ways of presenting the Gospel, but when this is tried it has always
been tolerated if not enjoyed.
Three people [Janet Baker
WL, Douglas Harrison LP, Ron Firmin LP] were appointed to examine ways in which
we could form small groups to study and evaluate what we are doing, e.g.
‘Buddy’ system or as Continuing Local Preacher Development, and
present ideas to the next meeting.
The use of modern technology
and a lively worship style at Highwoods and at Abbeyfields may be hopeful
pointers to successful ways forward.
- Service
We are not sure if “Service Working
Group” conveys what we do or want to do, or if it is understood by the
ordinary member of our Circuit. Therefore our vision includes perhaps having a
name change that reflects more what we are trying to do.
At the moment we have an exceptionally wide
remit (Home Missions, Overseas Missions, MHA, NCH etc) which is not possible to
cover, so we see ourselves as bringing to the attention of the Circuit, issues,
particularly social issues, such as injustice, exploitation etc and to
challenge our own complacency. We especially, want to inform the Circuit of the
more innovative or “cutting edge” work which is being carried out
and to encourage support from the Circuit.
We see that we should be looking at both
worldwide and local issues and would welcome suggestions. To this end we want to
encourage every church in the Circuit to be represented by at least one member,
if possible.
We still see the format of a meal and a speaker
being a good vehicle for raising issues and intend to continue with an annual
autumn event. However, we also want to explore the possibility of a smaller
event in, say, spring which could look at local issues, particularly, and might
be a more intimate occasion.
But most of all, we want to continue to raise
issues which we feel are led by God and to this end we will try to be open to
change should the need arise.
Gill
Bucke and Keith Thompson (Service Working Group Coordinators)
- Learning
It is with some sadness that
I realised when preparing to write this report that I have not managed to
organise as many learning and development opportunities for the Circuit as I
would have liked or the Circuit Churches needed.
Since 1994 I have been
involved in training and learning groups in the Circuit. I qualified as an adult tutor within the Methodist Church following
completion of a course at District level.
When the Circuit action
groups were formed the element of Our Calling that included Learning
became the responsibility of a small group comprising a Minister, myself and
two other lay trainers. (These do not include the element of training for Local
Preachers, which requires a different qualification and authority.)
Over the intervening time we
have been responsible for running ‘Don’t Panic’ training for
Church Stewards; Kaleidoscope and Spectrum Training for Junior Church and Young
People’s workers respectively; Safeguarding training for Church Councils
and Church Workers; All Age Worship workshop and Worship Leader Training.
Now Children’s and
Young People’s work is to be covered by a new training scheme called Core
Training. Safeguarding (see separate report) is likely to require more locally
based training. In addition my health is not robust enough to oversee the
management and provision of training which should be available to a Circuit as
active and challenging as ours.
I therefore feel that this
report should identify the need for a new co-ordinator for learning and
development who should then be responsible for identifying the direction, aims
and objectives of the next five years.
Val Carter
- Caring
During his earthly ministry,
when Jesus sent his disciples out, he instructed them to “preach the
kingdom of God and to heal the sick”. (Luke 9:1,2) At the end of this
ministry he commissioned his disciples for their own ministry “go and
make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19) It is in obedience to this instruction
and in response to this commission that Methodists in Colchester have a Prayer
and Healing Ministry.
The Circuit Prayer and
Healing Group was formed some 19 years ago and was initially a very small
group, with a heart for this ministry, meeting at Lexden and holding occasional
Healing Services on a Saturday evening at churches in the Circuit. It has grown
and developed through God’s gentle leading since those days, so that
today Healing Services on a Sunday evening are a normal feature on the Circuit
plan, and prayer requests are sent and received routinely at all the Circuit
churches.
The monthly meetings at Lexden,
at present led by Rev Andrew Bell, are an opportunity for studying and
discussing some aspect of the Prayer and Healing Ministry. Time is spent in
prayer together for those in particular need, and for each church in our
Circuit. Rev Russell Moston has been a great encouragement in all aspects of
the Prayer and Healing Ministry and it has been under his supervision that we
now have 8 fully trained members of the Healing Team, commissioned by our
Circuit. During the last year the Team have met once a Quarter for deeper study
and to have opportunity to share concerns and to pray together.
The above gives a
résuméé
of the obvious progress of the Group (in human terms), but we deal with
individuals and their need for wholeness in Christ, and it is impossible to
give any idea of the progress that has occurred in the lives (both physical and
spiritual) of those who have encountered the movement of the Holy Spirit
through any of the activities initiated by the Prayer and Healing Group.
In the short-term the Group
would want to see:
Ÿ
The Holy Spirit continuing to lead and guide
everything we do and say as we remain obedient to Christ’s commands
Ÿ
Each Church Council to review the appointment of at
least one representative to the Prayer and Healing Group, and the Circuit
Prayer Link
Ÿ
Each minister (and Church Council secretary) to ensure
that the appointments be brought to the attention of the individual Church
Council
Ÿ
Prayer as an essential part of the life of each
Methodist Church in our Circuit
Ÿ
The Circuit Prayer Link operating more accurately,
efficiently and effectively
Ÿ
Healing Services being either Circuit Services (fully
supported by the Circuit Staff and leadership as well as our congregations) or
Services (with Holy Communion) held at the request of an individual church
(either morning or evening)
Ÿ
The Healing Team used more regularly by the Circuit
leadership as part of the normal ministry offered by Methodism in Colchester
Ÿ
Individuals acknowledging their need for healing and
wholeness
Sadly, we do see obstacles to
the above:
Ÿ
Unless church stewards and secretaries have a heart
for this ministry, it is very unlikely to even get on the agenda of a Church
Council. Some people still seem to think that they must attend every meeting at
Lexden - this is not so.
Ÿ
By no means all of our Circuit churches have a Prayer
Meeting of any sort, Circuit events in past years focusing on Prayer have been
poorly supported, and often members think of prayer as a last resort rather
than an initial response to problems, so that one could wonder just how
precious their prayer life is to individual Methodists in Colchester.
Ÿ
The Prayer Link is a valuable resource in our Circuit,
but does not always work as it should. Has the ‘right’ person been
appointed from each church? How is the information used by each church? In the
very short-term a letter will be compiled and sent to each link in our chain in
another effort to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Ÿ
Circuit Healing Services at present do not seem to be
Circuit Services. We perhaps need to decide if we are to continue with a
Circuit Service, or a Service at a church that requests it. If the latter is
the case, will the Circuit lose out on this special part of church ministry?
Who is consulted before a Healing Service is featured on the Plan? Many people
still seem to be threatened by the thought of a Healing Service. It would seem
that radical evangelists (particularly American) and their dramatic, noisy
services have much to answer for. Our Healing Services are quiet, peaceful and
unhurried. We like to think that we give people that most precious gift - our
time.
Ÿ
The Circuit plan needs to be compiled far in advance
Ÿ
All Circuit staff have been advised of the members of
the Healing Team and their various gifts. The Team do wonderful work in a quiet
and confidential way in our Circuit, but at present are not used by the Circuit
as they could be.
Ÿ
Perhaps for too long the Healing Ministry has been
seen as a last resort at times of illness. Not one human being is
‘whole’ and we are all in need of healing in one way or another, so
another obstacle is getting individuals to
recognise their need for healing.
In the longer term our vision
is for:
Ÿ
God to continue to lead and guide the Prayer and
Healing Ministry in Colchester through the power of the Holy Spirit
Ÿ
Each Circuit church to have its own team of trained
workers, being used as appropriate to the needs of the congregation and its
area.
Ÿ
Prayer Ministry being offered routinely in every
church and whenever the need arises.
Ÿ
Training being routinely offered to those whom God has
demonstrably called to the ministry of Prayer and Healing.
This report has been compiled
only after much careful deliberation and prayer and the above can only be
achieved in a 5-year timeframe if it is according to God’s will. It may
be that the Holy Spirit has other ideas! We may be completely wrong about our
vision for the future of this ministry - it may well grow beyond our wildest
dreams, or it could alter its format very suddenly and dramatically. We are
content to be gently led by the Holy Spirit and to be used as the Spirit guides
us, to minister to those in need in the name of Jesus and for his sake.
Another aspect of
‘Caring’ is ‘Safeguarding’
As the people of the
Methodist Church we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within
God’s purpose for everyone. We seek to safeguard the members of the
church community of all ages. It is the responsibility of each one of us to
prevent neglect and the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children, young
or vulnerable people.
The 1998 Conference, amended
by the 1999 Conference, directed that:
‘no person who has
been convicted of or has received a formal caution from the police concerning
sexual offences against children shall be appointed to ANY office, post or
responsibility or engaged under any contract to which this sub-clause
applies.’ (S.O. 010(2)(ii))
Since the above statement
and standing order came into force I have been the Safeguarding co-ordinator
for the Colchester Circuit. Initially intended to be part of a team, this post
involves:
- Ensuring the circuit has an
appropriate Safeguarding policy which is reviewed regularly and to oversee
its implementation.
- Ensuring that churches in the circuit have a
relevant Safeguarding policy that is reviewed regularly and where
appropriate to assist in its implementation.
- Acting as point of reference within the circuit for issues to do with Child protection, offering appropriate support, information and training.
- Advocating and where appropriate, initiate
training on issues to do with Child Protection
- Liasing with, and be a Methodist representative
to, local statutory agencies involved in Child Protection.
- Liasing with the District Taking Care Team.
- Undertaking any necessary administration.
Although initially
successful in raising awareness and providing training the team, originally 3
members, has now shrunk to the co-ordinator only. In this respect it has become
a very perilous thing – a one-woman band. Despite my best efforts I have
not been able to ensure that every church has a Safeguarding policy nor that
training on Safeguarding and Child Protection is widely available.
It looks likely that there
will be significant changes in Safeguarding legislation by 2012. There is also
a change in the training requirements for lay and ordained people involved in
the work of the church arising from the “Creating Safer Spaces”
initiative in Methodism. All of which means that a much greater amount of
training will need to be offered at local level than previously. Administration
will also increase. In order to facilitate this work a team of enthusiastic
people are needed (minimum 4). I am therefore standing down as Circuit
Co-ordinator in order that others may review and replace our policies, procedures,
planning and training.
If you feel that you could
offer to be part of this team please contact Val Carter or Rev. John Allison.
- Evangelism
The Faith Sharing Team,
meeting in February 2007, suggested following terms of reference:
·
To meet
quarterly
·
To co-opt others
as necessary
·
To be enabling,
as opposed to doing for others.
·
To find out what
is wanted by the Churches.
·
To offer help to
individual Churches to explore their vision
·
To target one
specific area for, say, a year, e.g. ministering to older people.
·
To help to
implement the networking of best practice between Churches where a need has
already been resolved.
·
To get two or
more Churches with the same need to work together and share resources, driven
forward by the Outreach Action Group.
The Outreach Action Group,
meeting in January 2008, agreed these terms of reference but felt it might
adopt a wider brief. Examples of this were:
An interpreting
role e.g. where Churches were not aware that what they
were doing was a
form of Fresh Expression;
Networking,
Enabling and Resourcing;
Finding out what
was being done in neighbouring Circuits, at District and
Connexional level,
what training courses were available, and provide
contacts, e.g.
The Buzz, web sites.
It was felt that for many
Churches it would be more helpful to work ecumenically with other congregations
in their locality rather than attempt things at Circuit or even sector level.
It
was agreed that we should not merely meet for meetings sake, that we had to
prove to people that it was worth attending, but that it was important to have
continuity of membership. It was also important to have a chair/convenor and a
secretary. Initially it was thought that 3 meetings a year would be
appropriate. It was agreed that John Allison would chair the group initially
and that David Carter would act as secretary in his capacity as Circuit Admin.
A list of the Evangelism activities
currently undertaken by the various Churches in the Circuit was circulated and
their future plans for Evangelism as given at the time of the ‘Vision for
the Future’ update in summer 2007. It was felt that this would be more
helpful if it identified the Church and the name of a contact person. This
would enable Churches to know who was doing what and where to go for help.
Churches wanting to set up similar projects could then share expertise. Such a
list would need to be updated annually with the assistance of the Circuit
Stewards attending the Church Councils.
There was tension between an
intra and an extra Church approach to Outreach. We report on places where we
already are, but what about those places where we are not yet? We are not geared
for reaching outside the Church or identifying needs beyond the current Church.
There was some reluctance to thinking ‘outside the box’ of the
Church and to exploring how the Church might be evolving.
- Abbeyfield Community Project
The
original vision:
·
To be a united
Christian presence on the development;
·
To help engender
a sense of community amongst residents;
·
To meet the
changing needs of the community as it develops;
·
To work along
side other bodies to ensure that adequate community facilities are provided
within a suitable timeframe;
·
To establish the
foundation for ongoing united Christian work in the community in the future.
Having carried out a survey
with residents and a separate one with the young people, we attempt to meet the
needs to which people have alerted us. Where possible we attempt to put people
in contact with current service providers; where there are none available we
are committed to filling those gaps. At present most of the work happens at
either the Community House, the manse of Abbeyfield Community Church or
outdoors (weather permitting), thus limiting the size and nature of what we do.
Our hopes that Abbeyfield Community Church would be able to take over the
former Garrison Theatre still seem distant (due to changing priorities of the
developers and the current housing market). Consequently our original aim to
work in partnership with other service providers is essential. We have had
support from council youth workers, a grant of £500 from the housing
association ‘Family Mosaic’ to get equipment for the youth work and
the promise of a similar grant from the extended schools budget.
Present
activities include:
·
‘ABC’
– Abbeyfield Babies and
carers, the weekly toddler group.
·
‘Abbeyfield
Youthy’ – weekly drop-in for children/young people.
·
Starting June
2008 weekly toddler group to support migrant (mainly Polish) workers.
·
Monthly worship
·
‘Wax
Lyrical’, monthly poetry group.
The house is also used as
the venue for a newly formed residents’ group, and the midwives and
National Childbirth Trust continue to use it for clinics and classes in the
continued absence of the promised medical centre.
Our vision would be that
adequate facilities are provided, and we continue to work/lobby to that end,
whilst being committed to ‘filling in’ any gaps whilst they remain.
It may be that should this desired facility come to fruition and it is hard to
see why it would not, considering the amount of prayer support, that the house
could be sold and a new one bought on another development, enabling the process
to begin again. The community workers’ aim is to work themselves out of a
job!
- Finance and Resources
The Current Situation
i. Resources
The current resources of the circuit comprise of 14
congregations and related church buildings and officers, 4 manses, 4 full time
presbyters; also 1 part time probationer and 1 deacon involved in outreach on
Abbeyfields. In addition it has 2 supernumerary ministers, 4 Circuit Stewards,
a Circuit Property Steward and Circuit Treasurer. Other Circuit Lay Appointments
are covered elsewhere.
The Finance and Resources Committee considers that
all these resources are a vital part of the worship and witness of the Circuit.
All congregations are actively engaged in the worship, learning, service and evangelism,
and all are currently viable. With the exception of the West Bergholt church
building, all are in a reasonable state of repair.
The Committee believes that the current 4 full time
presbyter posts are vital to maintain the spiritual life of the Circuit. The
Circuit Property Steward and his team have recently put much effort into
maintenance of the 4 manses. The Committee believes that the manses are
currently appropriately located and in a reasonable state of repair.
The outreach work on Abbeyfields is an essential
element of the Circuit’s call to evangelism and the Deacon’s
presence and commitment has been vital in this work.
The various Lay Stewards have worked hard to maintain
and encourage spiritual growth in the Circuit.
ii. Finance
Over recent years, financing
this level of commitment in the face of declining membership has proved
difficult. But the Circuit has accepted its financial responsibility, and also
been blessed with much outside financial support for the Abbeyfields work. As a
result, it is currently meeting the financial obligations that its current
resourcing needs imposes.
The Circuit Treasurer,
Superintendent Minister, Church Treasurers and members of all congregations are
to be applauded for their part in this.
Looking Ahead
The Circuit Review that will be undertaken shortly by
District officers will consider the life and role of the Colchester Circuit in
the wider context of the Tendring area and adjoining Circuits. This may, of
course, have major implications for the structure and resourcing of this
Circuit. However, while our vision needs to recognise the possibilities that
this may present, we must continue to move God’s work forward in
Colchester in the years ahead.
i. Resources
To this end our vision remains clear. It is to
continue on the path already undertaken in faith. We plan to maintain, support
and encourage all 14 congregations in their spiritual life. If the maintenance
of the existing church property at West Bergholt proves to be too burdensome,
we will encourage and support members there in seeking alternative ways of
being Church to the community.
We plan to maintain our current level of Ministerial
support. We believe that we need 4 full time Ministers to enable us to meet our
calling in the Colchester area. The location of all the manses will however be
kept under regular review.
The outreach work on Abbeyfields will continue. The
presence of the Deacon is essential to this over the next two to three years.
ii. Finance
As a rule of thumb it costs, at current prices,
(April 08), about £43,000 per presbyter to fully finance the Circuit. The
money for the four full time Presbyters is found from weekly giving. Finance
for the fifth (outreach) post is met in part from the weekly giving, but
largely from grants, donations and subsidies (e.g. free accommodation provided
by URC).
Financing for the full time posts for the medium term
is largely secure. Financing for the Abbeyfields outreach Deacon is totally
dependent on continuation of the formula as it currently exists. Should the
grants etc not continue the post would be at risk.
For the longer term, to sustain four posts will call
for a greater proportion of giving from reducing congregations, or
consolidation and staff reductions.
Joe
Rampling and Phil Bingham
- Circuit Summary
While some of the profiles
prepared for the first edition of Vision for the Future appeared to be the work
of a single person or a small group of church leaders, there is evidence that
many of the updates were the result of wider consultation processes within and
around the congregations. This in itself demonstrates the development of a
collaborative style of working. If there was a greater emphasis in the
responses on what has been done in the past 2 years, rather than the vision for
the next 8 years, this is probably the fault of the circuit stewards, in the
way they phrased the questions on which the churches were asked to reflect.
Nevertheless, working from the base line of 2005 it is now obvious that in each
of the 4 sectors and in each of the 4 aspects of ‘Our Calling’ that
there have been developments and there is progress. Our ‘Vision for the
Future’ can now be seen as a process rather than a one-off exercise, a
video rather than a snapshot.
Some churches found the
original 10-year time scale daunting, and there are still those who have
difficulty seeing the way ahead. However, if we expect our clergy to accept a
5-year invitation to be stationed in the circuit, then the very least we should
be doing is to have 5-year Vision. Given the confidence gained from the
progress and developments over the past 2 years it ought to be easier to set
goals and objectives for the next 5 years – things that are realistic and
achievable without being trivial. Something along the lines of, ‘By the
year 2012, in terms of worship, we aim to …’.
Since the churches prepared
their update reports one has carried out a ‘church audit’ of the
skills and gifts of the congregation, while another has challenged the congregation
to re-assess their giving in terms of time, talents and treasure. Both churches
are to be commended for their vision and we eagerly await further developments
from both these projects.
There is a lot of scope for
mutual help within the sectors, and that is surely one of the benefits of the
circuit system. The circuit is an example of an organisation that is greater
than the sum of its parts. In addition to progress within the 14 churches there
has been progress within the circuit as a whole. This is again summarised under
the ‘Our Calling’ headings.
Worship – developments
or continuations include:
- An increase in the number of active local
preachers available to take appointments
- Further people becoming aware of a call to
preach and starting training
- The training of more worship leaders
- A greater awareness by preachers of the role and
gifts of worship leaders
- The willingness of musicians to be as
peripatetic as preachers in travelling between congregations to enrich our
worship
- Circuit services to celebrate special events or
to hear the message of eminent preachers from the Methodist Connexion and
from other denominations
- The celebration of the 300th
anniversary of Charles Wesley’s birth
Future plans include:
- Continuing to challenge members of our
congregations to hear and respond to God’s call to lead worship and
to preach
- Further exchanges of preachers with neighbouring
circuits
- Worship leaders with particular gifts may, by
mutual consent, assist in leading worship in churches other than their own
- Exploring alternative styles of worship
Service – developments
or continuations include:
- Encouraging individuals to respond to appeals
for assistance with the Soup Run and Winter Reserve Accommodation Project
- Supporting the work of connexional agencies of
the church e.g. NCH, MHA
Future plans include:
- Exploring ways of serving the new communities of
Abbeyfield and Tollgate
Learning and Caring –
developments or continuations include:
- Learning about the work of the connexional
agencies; here learning goes hand-in-hand with service rather than with
caring
- An increase in the number of members of the
circuit healing team and in the frequency of healing services; here caring
goes hand-in-hand with worship
Future plans include:
·
Finding ways of making
our cycle of prayer for each church in the circuit on one week of each quarter
more relevant to the needs of each congregation
·
Exploring the
training needs of other church workers e.g. church stewards, church treasurers,
pastoral visitors, house group leaders
We need to develop a
strategy for encouraging individuals and congregations to share their faith
with non-churchgoers through friendship and informal conversation and through
structured events. Some churches have found the use of the book ‘Time to
Talk of God’ helpful. Maybe a series of sessions could be run on this at
circuit level. Other churches have been surprised by the outcome of Alpha
courses. Maybe a day event could be arranged at circuit level for churches that
have run Alpha courses to share their experience with those that have not and
offer them help in setting up a course. Maybe two or more small churches could
plan a course together. Alpha does not suit everyone. Other congregations may
prefer ‘Disciple’ or another course. Again, it would be worth
finding out what our ecumenical friends and neighbouring circuits have found
helpful and stimulating.
- Our Vision – Courage and Commitment
The churches challenged many
of the observations by the circuit stewards in the first edition. This was
helpful in clarifying our thinking. In particular we were chided for suggesting
that a ’rosy picture’ might be less honest. None of the churches,
town or village, want to close but some older congregations are more willing to
embrace change than younger ones.
Some of the ‘points to
consider’ in the first edition were taken up as short-term objectives and
achieved. Others were rejected as impracticable or undesirable. An investigation of the pastoral needs
of elderly residents in care and nursing homes was carried out despite fears
that we could be swamped with requests that we were unable to fulfil. We found
that we had the resources to meet the needs. Bob Finch has developed the circuit
website and the full texts of the churches and working groups responses will be
made available on it. Several churches have developed local websites. An
increasing number of church and circuit officers have email and information can
be circulated quickly to every church in the circuit.
So far Vision for the Future
has been an entirely local exercise, an internal review at circuit level, an
expression of our own hopes and dreams, a tool for us to assess our own
progress and plan our own future. True, it was prompted by a challenge issued
by Ermal Kirby, the Chair of our previous district, and copies were circulated
to members of the district policy committee when we were seeking support for
the Abbeyfield Community Project. The Regional Development Officer, Tony
Barker, and the in-coming Chair of District, Anne Brown, received copies.
The Beds, Essex and Herts
district, having settled down after its own major boundary changes in 2006, is
required by Conference to embark on a review of the 18 circuits in its
district. This is entitled Mapping the Way Forward/
Re-grouping for Mission. It will be the turn of the Colchester circuit for
this external review in September 2008. The review will be facilitated by the
district Training and Development officer, Richard Armiger. He will be working
with the Superintendent and the circuit leadership team. The review will
address three main issues:
What are the mission opportunities?
What resources do you have to respond
to these?
What would you like to do but do not
have the resources to do?
It will work on:
Moving from ‘maintenance
mode’ to ‘mission mode’
Maximising the opportunities for
mission
Effectively deploying staff and
resources
Discovering ‘fresh
expressions’ of what it means to be ‘circuit’
Report prepared by:
Phil Bingham
Jane Dansie
Christine Jones
Circuit Stewards of
Colchester Methodist Circuit