Our Minister

February 2023 Circuit Letter from our Superintendent Minister, Rev Deborah Kirk

‘We are no longer our own, but yours.’

I wonder how many of us have recited the Covenant Prayer this year? ‘I willingly offer all I

have and am to serve you, as and where you choose’ ... we promise God, as individuals and

as a body of people.

The Covenant Service, coming as it does near the beginning of a new year, encourages a

refocussing of our energies and reflections for this new – and difficult – season.

As I look around our Circuit, I am conscious of the many ways in which our churches are

intentionally and sacrificially redoubling their efforts to connect with and support their

communities: inviting people into warm welcome spaces, forming supportive conversation

groups, responding to various local needs through the offering of practical gifts, prayer, and

time, as well as continuing with those everyday compassionate actions towards those we live

alongside, the impact of which go far beyond what we can ever imagine.

There are also challenges to face in all our churches – for most this means increased bills, for

some it means coping with inefficient heating systems, building issues, fewer people in our

congregations. Temple is working through an expensive project to replace a section of roof

which will incorporate solar panels – you can read about it further into this issue. The

congregation has committed to raising half the cost – a huge task, and a courageous step

which looks to the long view with eyes of faith.

The Circuit is having to look carefully at its finances in order to balance the needs of the

Circuit with the resources of the churches – a sensitive and ongoing conversation. All our

churches, large or small, and their individual contributions to their communities are

important and valued, and alongside that as a Circuit, we are also encouraged to remember

our relationship with, and commitment to one another.

Meanwhile, there are new worshippers in several congregations, bringing new enthusiasm,

new gifts and skills, and new ideas. How important it is, not only to help those new friends

feel welcome, but to create opportunities for them to offer those gifts and ideas.

You will find an article from Citizens Somerset further on in the magazine. This group

continues to grow with new member organisations, and our Methodist team is gradually and

slowly expanding, as we recognise that Community Organising offers us a really practical way

of putting our commitment to social justice into action. Is this the time to add your voice to

the campaigns?

‘I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose’. These words – if

we have the courage to say them – define who we are. Some of what we do brings us joy

and fulfilment, some of it is challenging and testing. But we are God’s people – here

together, for such a time as this. Just as we are given the grace to say the Covenant Prayer,

so we are given the grace to keep the promises we make.

As we move together into this ‘nearly new’ year, the most important thing is that we

remember who, and whose, we are: ‘We are no longer our own, but yours.’

Deborah

Circuit Link Letter from Rev Annie Deche

Moses and I arrived on the night of 6th September 2022, however, we remained at the luggage collection department at Heathrow Airport, and by the time we left to arrive at the beautiful warm, and lovely manse at 5 Quantock Way it was 3.15am or thereabout. We just can’t thank Rev Deborah and Richard for the hours they stood waiting and with the big taxi to carry our big 4 suitcases which we actually did not see until one arrived on Sunday 11th; the second suitcase arrived on Monday 12th and the final two arrived on Friday 17th of September.

Sadly, on 8thof September, we all were in shock, almost in denial to hear of the demise of our most ‘sparky, quick-witted… and an absolute pro’ Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest reigning monarch, having ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, aged just 25. In June 2022, Her Majesty became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee - a historic milestone that marked her 70 years on the throne. We now continue to learn how to sing the National Anthem with the King instead of the Queen. God bless our King Charles III.

We wish to express our warm gratitude for the warm welcome we continue to receive while we settle in and sometimes forget we are only a month and a few days old. God is ever present with us all and we are assured of your support as we serve under the guidance of our new Superintendent Minister Rev Deborah who has been very supportive. The leaders, stewards, lay preachers, supernumeraries, and all members are all supportive and in all your prayers life here in settling is very warm and welcoming. The different church services, mid-week services, Bible studies, Messy Church, Toddler groups, and many activities on the Circuit are a true copy of all the pre-presentations we received while still in Kenya. The climax of our hearts being strangely warmed was the visit to John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol on 8th October and stepping in the footsteps of John and Charles Wesley was so precious!

‘We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count’ (Neal Maxwell) and therefore ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him’. (Colossians 3: 15-17)

Annie