Circuit Re-organisation

What is happening?
The circuit meetings of the Chester and the Delamere Forest Circuits have agreed, after a vote, that the two circuits should merge together to form one circuit.

Why is this happening?
There is a national trend towards mergers like this. The driving force is to be able to make the best possible use of the resource we have available – financial, lay, and ministerial. Because there will only be one superintendent instead of two, the other minister who would have been a super will have more time for mission work in their
churches and communities.

When will it happen?
The merged circuit will come into effect from September 2012. September is the start of the “Methodist Year”.

Who will be the superintendent?
The superintendent will be the Rev. Neil Stacey, who is the current superintendent of the Chester Circuit. This will provide good continuity as he is already in post. It was agreed during the discussions that although Neil would take up the superintendency in the first place (and remain in Chester to minimise disruption for him and his family),
that wouldn't necessarily mean that the superintendent would always be in Chester. The next superintendent could be based somewhere else in the circuit.

Simon Kelly, 
Senior Circuit Steward