Author Archives: chris

A special coffee morning!

The annual Supernumerary ministers coffee morning on Monday 26th September saw our circuit’s supernumerary ministers, their partners and minister’s widows who reside in the circuit meet together at Levens Methodist Church.  They were joined by the President of Conference Revd Graham Thompson and the District Chair Revd Dr James Tebbutt.  The President spent some time chatting to everyone and also spoke to the gathering and answered questions.  Supernumerary ministers from the neighbouring South Lakes circuit were also invited.

After this special time of fellowship the President and District Chair moved on to Stricklandgate Methodist Church for some lunch and a gathering of all the ministers in active ministry in the district.

Circuit services

The end of August saw the closing of the Methodist Chapel in Fellside, Kendal.  This was a bitter sweet occasion with much of the history of the chapel being told by Fred Pennington and Richard Thompson, whose families have been connected to the chapel since it was built.  Revd. Dr. Jonathan Pye, former Superintendent of the Kendal Circuit led the service and the theme was ‘God hasn’t finished with yo

At the beginning of September we formally welcomed Revd. Tiras Dainty-Share and his partner Amy to the circuit.  Tiras is stationed in the Kent Estuary section and will work alongside the churches in Arnside, Levens and Storth.

 

Receiving his Authorisation to Preside

Tiras receiving his Authorisation to Preside at Holy Communion

From left to right … Rev Dr James Tebbutt, Chair of Cumbria District; Rev Anne Pettifor, Rural Dean;  Rev Tiras Dainty-Share; Rev Barbara Fairburn;  Rev  Andrew Norman, Parish Priest St James, Arnside.

New President and Vice-President of Conference

If you aren’t already aware of who they are, the Revd Graham Thompson and Anthony Boateng are in office now. There are two videos available where they each introduce themselves and share their faith journeys which you might be interested in viewing. The links are:  My Faith Journey: President of the Conference the Revd Graham Thompson – YouTube, My Faith Journey: Vice-President of the Conference Anthony Boateng – YouTube.

North West & Mann Regional Review

Cumbria, Manchester & Stockport, Bolton & Rochdale, Liverpool and Lancashire districts are currently involved a regional review.  They are looking at the possibility of the districts merging in some way to become one.   If/when any changes come into effect it will affect us all and it would be good for as many people as possible to have input into the process.

The districts involved in this process are hosting 3 open consultations to explore in more detail the model that could be presented to the spring synods.  This model is still being developed and the feedback and input in these consultations will be fed into the design process.  These conversations are open to all and will be held on zoom.  The dates are 9th, 13th and 19th July.  Details of the timings and who to ask for the zoom link are here.

Together at Thornleigh 2022

The Cumbria Methodist Women in Britain group are hosting their annual 3 day residential at Thornleigh Hotel, in Grange over Sands.  Mrs Gill Dascombe, a former Vice President of Conference, will be the guest speaker and her theme is ‘In our Father’s House’.

Further details and the booking form are available to download here.  Please be aware that this event was fully booked up last year, so if you are interested please don’t delay.