Our Minister

March 2025 Circuit Link Letter
from Rev Deborah Kirk, Superintendent Minister

Dear Friends

Lent this year will begin with Ash Wednesday on 5th March, and we will then work through the six Sundays of Lent before Holy Week.

There are three Ash Wednesday Services in the Circuit – will you plan to go to one of them?

What are you doing for Lent?

Are you one of those people who give up something, a small daily sacrifice, be it biscuits or chocolate, or social networking, or spinach (as one of my sons once declared)?

A book I have on my bookshelf – Barefoot Disciple, by Stephen Cherry – suggests giving up grumbling - described as ‘a negative, demoralising activity lacking in passion, maturity and wisdom’ - in favour of penitence (acknowledging responsibility) and protest (risky vulnerability). Now there's a thought, and something that could really transform our churches and communities.

Or perhaps you will try to live more frugally, and give the money you save to a charity. Or rather than giving up something, will you 'take up' something - a commitment to specific action, to highlight or combat poverty or injustice perhaps? Or maybe you will be working through one of the various Lent courses offered across the Circuit, in order to focus your thoughts on the season.

Or, the Methodist Church has some resources on its website which you might like to explore, based around the theme ‘Soul Food’.

https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/soul-food/

You can sign up for a daily email which will suggest a reflection or activity:

•              Monday: A recipe video using easily available ingredients.

•              Tuesday: A Bible study video, with discussion on questions from the week’s Gospel passage.

•              Wednesday: A craft video, perfect for doing at home or in a group setting.

•              Thursday: An inspiring story about how the Methodist Church and our partners work to ensure nourishment and care for all.

•              Friday: A reflection on a classic soul song, revealing the good news within its lyrics.

•              Saturday: Soul Food Saturday, our magazine-style video show, featuring a panel sharing weekly highlights and showcasing photos from across the church. We’d love to see what you’re up to during Lent!

•              Sunday: No email, but we invite you to gather in worship, reflecting on the theme as you praise God together.

Whatever you decide to do, the reason for a Lenten observance is to journey through the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day with a willingness to change pace, to notice what God is doing in our lives, and to make more room for him to work.

A priest invited a well-known speaker to come and preach at his church. 'What do you want me to talk about? she asked. 'Come and tell us what is saving your life now' he answered.

What is saving your life now? What gives your life meaning? What are those things that you cling to, that shape your life?

If we are not sure of the answers to those questions, then perhaps a Lenten practice will help us to find them. We have 40 days for a practice to become a habit, and for a habit to become a way of life.

Peace for the journey

Deborah

A message from Ildi:

Dear friends,

I am excited to share with you that after much prayerful discernment, the Stationing Committee has appointed me to serve in the Wolverhampton Circuit starting this September.

This is a blessing, as I have already come to understand more about their mission and aspirations, and I believe I can offer much of my experience to support their journey.

I will be entrusted with the pastoral charge of four churches in the Wolverhampton Circuit, working alongside five presbyter colleagues and one deacon. Three of my churches are small yet vibrant rural congregations, while the fourth is a larger, very active church with a strong focus on outreach and community service.

All of these congregations are inclusive, mission-minded, and deeply committed to following Christ’s call in their communities. I am excited for the opportunity to work with such dedicated disciples and to serve alongside my colleagues in this new chapter.

I am incredibly grateful for all the support, encouragement, and love I have received from the Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Circuit over the past year and a half. It has truly been a privilege to walk alongside you, and while it will be difficult to say goodbye, I still have six precious months to spend together, and for that, I thank God.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as I prepare for this new chapter.

With gratitude and blessings,

Ildikó

April 2025 Circuit Link Letter from Rev Annie Deche, Circuit Minister

Dear Friends,

Spring is so refreshing; I have looked at it and related it to new life and spiritual growth that sets us along our Lenten journey through to the cross and finally to celebrate Easter. We can all see the beauty that surrounds us all and the lovely colours return!

I have picked this beautiful Spring poem and wish to share it with you all my wonderful, blessed friends.

‘New growth, new life – it’s the season of Spring,

baby chicks and birds with a happy song to sing,

pussy willows and catkins decorate the trees,

and fine, floral scents sweeten the breeze.

Bunnies and bonnets, so joyful and bright,

with chocolate and treats hidden well out of sight;

lambs frolic in the fields, up and down they go,

and all those boiled eggs to paint, roll or throw;

Easter parades and family fun,

with memories to share for years to come’.

In this journey of Lent we continue to be inspired by the Soul resources shared by the Methodist Church Connexion team, that has challenged and continues to inspire us that we ask God to give us our daily bread and feed our souls with all things that nourish us, asking if it is only food or God’s word, or shelter being nourished by a safe home, or rest by being nourished by patience and slowness, or the repair of our souls nourished by unconditional love and forgiveness on Mothering Sunday. And what about Soul mates that inspires us to be nourished by companionship on the Palm Sunday to let our hearts sing and be nourished by musical expression, leading us into the Holy Week. Please, if you can, we invite you to join us at Rowbarton or Bridgwater on the Monday or Wednesday evenings of the Holy week and we will together watch the movie ‘God’s not Dead’, drawing us into Good Friday with the theme of Support, nourished by each other when times are tough. We will remove every item from the Lenten cross on Good Friday, reminding ourselves to hold fast to our faith in a world that tries to strip us of worth and value, to live with our faith, and our belief despite all around us.

And pray… O Lord our God, on this Lenten journey, let us face our sorrow, feel our sorrow and trust your Word. Amen.

And on Easter Sunday we will return every object from Lent to the cross. And share our Soul stories, Alleluia, Alleluia! is our story and our song, give us this day our daily bread that our cup overflows with enough to share… That our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord, that our souls overflow with a story to tell.

I take this early opportunity to say I will be thinking of you on this special day! Best wishes for Easter and the season ahead.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed." - John 20:29

With love and Blessings from Moses and Annie!