A New Look At CircuitsMay 2009
A Circuit is a group of churches in a geographic area brought together as a unit of the Methodist Church for the purposes of mission, deployment of resources, mutual support and administration. At present the Ilkley Methodist Circuit comprises
- Addingham Methodist Church
- Beamsley Methodist Church
- Ben Rhydding Methodist Church
- Christchurch, a joint Methodist / United Reformed Church
The Circuit Meeting, which has representation from all four churches, together with the staff and officers of the Circuit, has oversight of the constituent churches and has a two-way relationship with the West Yorkshire District under the Chairman, Rev Peter Whittaker.
The Circuit staff consists of Rev Rob Hilton, the minister at Christchurch, and the Superintendent Minister, Rev Arnold Clay, who has pastoral oversight of the other three churches.
A recent report of the Methodist Conference has called us to look again at Circuits in order to re-group for more effective mission. In responding to this initiative, we are committed to re-drawing the map. The status quo is not an option.
An enlarged circuit could bring a number of advantages, namely
- creation of a renewed Circuit identity
- more lay people in leadership as models/examples
- financial sharing
- a larger staff grouping enabling the greater encouragement, use and sharing of their particular gifts
- more preachers
- closer links with the appropriate URC Mission & Care Group and the Anglican Otley Deanery (depending on the area to be covered by a larger Circuit)
- greater support for the Beamsley Project
- the viability of additional Lay Employee posts whose duties could include some administrative responsibilities previously carried out by the Circuit Superintendent or work with specific groups within the circuit churches, e.g. children and young people, the elderly etc.
Convinced of the likely benefits, the Circuit Leadership Team is actively seeking the best way forward.
Mike Dixon
Circuit Steward - May 2009
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