Dear Friends,
The current trend in a lot of Circuits around the Connexion, indeed in a lot of Churches of all denominations is one of pessimism, with aging congregations, depleting numbers, and financially starved Churches, meaning that across the land Churches are fighting hard, simply to keep going, knowing that the writing is on the wall. I am sorry if you feel that way, I can’t and won’t believe that this is the way God intended it to be, I passionately believe that the harvest is plenty and that there must be a future for the Christian Church in this country. One thing that has been evident throughout history is that as people struggle with the challenges of life there is a natural turning to God, the ministry of Jesus tended to be to those in need and through the generations this has been the place where the Church has been the most effective and I believe that we are on the threshold of new ways of being Church.
The last three years have been challenging and I will never stop praising God for the way he has brought us through and precisely because of the pandemic we have learned new ways to be Church. The most amazing thing is that I believe that we are just at the tip of the iceberg, I believe that God has plenty in store for us in the coming months and years. The key to this is being open to the direction of the Spirit, accepting that we don’t always know best, and this will mean taking risks, accepting that we will not succeed in everything first time, we will make mistakes, things will go wrong, but we must never be defeated. I believe that the Ipswich Circuit is now poised, and ready to do mission!
As we stand on the threshold of the new connexional year, we look forward to welcoming Rev Saul Tadzauche and Rev Abe Konadu-Yiadom into the Circuit team and that is exciting as we anticipate the gifts and graces, they will bring with them. The Methodist Conference debated once again the role of the Presbyter in the Church, which is a conversation that has been on going for years, even decades. There was a time that I believed that the success or failure of a Church depended on the minister, if we were packing them in on a Sunday, it was because we had a go-getting minister, if numbers were falling and there were no children, it was the minister’s fault, and finding the right minister would turn the fortunes of the Church around.
Those who know me well will not be surprised to hear that I no longer believe that idea. I believe that the effectiveness of the Church, and indeed the Circuit works only if, ordained and lay people work cohesively as a team. During my time in the Ipswich Circuit, we have reduced from seven to four ordained ministers, there are two main reasons for this, availability of ministers, and affordability as Churches struggle financially. In his day, John Wesley talked about “The priesthood of all believers” and I passionately believe that our strength lies in good, strong, enthusiastic, creative, team leadership. I am often described as being in charge, I have never seen ministry in that way, my role in the Circuit and in the individual Churches I serve is to blend my gifts and graces with those of others, that we might work effectively together.
I remember chatting with Rev Martin Dawes soon after I arrived in Ipswich and he expressed a desire to minister somehow in the village of Wickham Market, chiefly because the large village sat slap bang in the middle of the triangle formed by the Churches at Framlingham, Orford, and Woodbridge. I encouraged him to pursue possibilities and over the last few years he and Gloria Theobald, one of our local preachers have worked, developing relations with the All Saints Parish Church. It was never the intention to plant a new Methodist Church, but to bring a Methodist Presence in the village and in the parish Church. Gloria was that presence and did some amazing work over the years. Sadly, Gloria passed away on Saturday 9th July 2022 and we send our condolences to Roger and the family. Gloria is a good example of the priesthood of all believers, we thank God for her life and work of ministry.
As we learn to work together during the connexional year 2022-3 I am delighted that we move forward with the authority of the Circuit Meeting to further develop four Mission Areas The Northern Mission Area: Framlingham, Kelsale, Knodishall, Leiston, Orford, Peasenhall & Sibton and Woodbridge churches.
The Felixstowe Mission Area: Kirton, Seaton Road, Trimley, and Trinity.
The Ipswich Urban Mission Area: Alan Road, Bramford Road, Chantry, Landseer Road, and Museum Street
The Ipswich Rural Mission Area: Bramford, Brantham, Capel St Mary, Chelmondiston, Elmsett, and Holbrook
We are using the term “Mission Area’s” adopted by my predecessor Rev Alan Taylor, these are area’s of mission, not simply sections of the Circuit and our aim is to lead the Circuit into mission and to win souls for Christ!
With best wishes Derek
