Minister's Letter: August & September 2014

Dear friends,
We're almost at the start of a New Year, so if you are reading this article (late) around 1st September then Happy New Year!

The Methodist year ends on 31st August, and our New Year begins on 1st September. If you haven't got children or grandchildren in school then this time of year may well pass you by, but it marks a new beginning there too.

For Churches, Circuits, Districts, Presbyters, Deacons and Lay Leaders it marks endings and beginnings. For Revd Claire Heald (Wesley, Christleton and Rowton) and Revd David Ray (Hoole) it marks the start of them 'sitting down' from the active ministry. Their ministry amongst us in the Circuit has been a gift to us all, and they will continue to exercise ministry amongst us in the future, still living within the Circuit, but without pastoral responsibility for any church community. We also bid farewell to URC minister Revd Martin Hardy (Caldy Valley and Garden Lane) as he moves onto pastures new. Please would you commit yourself to praying for Claire, David and Martin in this new phase of their ministries?

For Revd David Goodwin (Hoole, Garden Lane and Caldy Valley) and Revd Christine Dutton (Wesley, Christleton and Rowton) it marks a new beginning in the Chester and Delamere Forest Circuit as we welcome them as staff at a Circuit Service at Hoole (Hamilton St) at 7.30pm on 1st September. Please would you also commit yourself to pray for David and Christine as they prepare to move to a new (or in the case of Christine, first) appointment? And if you felt able to join with many other folk from around the Circuit in offering a warm welcome, then come and join us on that evening, to wish them well and offer them your prayers.

What does a New Year usually invoke? Resolutions, reminiscing, regrets? We are in good heart in Frodsham, with our brothers and sisters in faith in this community, and within the Circuit with all those who represent our churches, and serve us in many ways (particularly thinking about and giving thanks to God for Church and Circuit Stewards who are starting, continuing or completing terms of office). Let's resolve to serve God afresh in this coming year together, let's reminisce about what God has done in us and through us and despite us, and let's not regret any new or renewed opportunity that God places in front of us in the year to come.

God bless you, and Happy New Year!

Rev'd. Denise Harding