This momentous week begins with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem’s as Jesus announces (according to Matthew 21) his Messiahship to the world. There then follows a time of preparation leading to the Last Supper, arrest, trials and crucifixion. The week ends in darkness as Jesus is buried in a borrowed tomb.
Christians embrace this special week and rightly eke out every ounce of understanding and engagement. However, we do so knowing that next week everything is transformed. But what of those who actually journeyed through the first Holy Week? There was no sense of blessing or anticipation for them.
We would do well to recognise the suffering of all those who loved and believed in Jesus, as well as the suffering of Jesus Himself. To watch, wait and endure is something we are all called to do at times in our lives but what will the final outcome be? How will we cope? And what place have hope and love?
Whatever you are facing, may you be richly blessed as you journey through this week and may you be doubly blessed next week! Meanwhile, know this, God goes with you.
Amazing Gifts
Through the help of two fellowship groups that I have been able to lead, I have produced a booklet entitled "Fruit and Gifts".
The more traditional churches have tended to shy away from the gifts of the Holy Spirit because of the excesses that some have strayed into, but nevertheless they are part of Scripture. In the booklet each of twenty-one are looked at from a Biblical basis, with examples of their use; emphasising not only the supernatural ones like healing, but ones which seem 'ordinary', like administration. The booklet looks at each one in turn.
The fruit of the Spirit is accepted by all churches as being essential, and this section is looked at in an interactive way that will hopefully be helpful to individuals and particularly small fellowship groups.
If you would like a copy (free or for a small donation), please contact me. Groups studying do not need to have it, as each section can be photocopied in turn.
Terry Higgins, (Plymouth & Devonport Circuit) - 01752 262 600.
Germinate Leadership isfor lay and ordained leaders in rural churches who have already displayed some creative and entrepreneurial flair in ministry and are keen to develop themselves and their skills.
Every part of the Germinate Leadership programme is rooted in the opportunities and challenges of ministry in rural contexts and fosters a collaborative, ecumenical approach and a culture of continuing personal and professional development.
It is expected that all participants, both lay and ordained, will end the programme as creative, entrepreneurial, collaborative and strategic leaders, better equipped to engage effectively with local communities and encourage churches to be an effective Christian presence. ‘The programme has been inspirational.The combination of theology, leadership training, peer and mentor consultancy, spiritual development, stories from rural experience, in theory and practice, has given me renewed enthusiasm and confidence in my ministry. It is has been a vital part of my continuing formation and learning.’ – Programme participant
Rachel Mitchell writes: “As someone who has just completed the 2017 programme, which lasted for 18 months, I would thoroughly recommend this for lay or ordained leaders in our rural churches.
My experience, as a lay person, is of an exteremely valuable and practical course which has both supported and grown my understanding of leadership in the rural church and of the creative ideas others have found which work here and why. Many of the ideas are also relevant to more urban places, although the course is designed for people involved in the rural church. I wonder if this is something you might need to find out a little more about?
For Methodists and lay people there are busaries available. My costs were met by a Connexional bursary, my Circuit and the District.”
For more information, go to: https://germinate.net/training/germinate-leadership.
Upcoming Important Dates
14th May - Stationing 2020 Preparation Meeting at Wonford- 7.30p.m.
27th June - Methodist Conference begins in Birmingham
7th September - Representative Synod at Central, Torquay
Many of you will be aware that the South West Region has now been extended with Bristol District moving from West Midlands into the South West.
We are delighted to write and inform friends that The Learning Network in the South West will shortly be back to full strength after a period with a number of vacancies.
On 24 January 2019 Howard Wilson took up post as the Regional Learning and Development Coordinator for the South West. Howard is based in Bristol and will have overall management responsibility for the Network in the South West.
We have three Regional Learning and Development Officers in the South West. At the start of January Sharon Rowe returned to the team from adoption leave. She will be our link person for Cornwall District. Sharon has particular expertise and interest in children’s, family or youth ministry/work and community development.
At the beginning of March Dr Wendy Allen joined the team. Wendy will be the link person for Bristol District. One of her primary areas of responsibility will be around support for Local Preacher training and development.
At the end of April the third member of the team Bridget Down will complete the team as the link person for Plymouth and Exeter District. All team members will have lead areas across the region.
We will be working to identify needs across the region and would be delighted to hear suggestions from individuals and churches as to how we can help them develop in their work.
Please be patient with us – it will take a little while to get to grips with all that is needed in such a large and diverse region.
Anyone wishing to be kept informed of the work of the Learning Network in the Region can email Howard Wilson (wilson.howard@methodistchurch.org.uk) to be added to their email mailing list, or follow @SouthWestLN on Facebook or Twitter.
METHODIST CENTRAL HALL, MANCHESTER
SEEKS NEW TRUSTEES to develop the vision and ten year strategic plan for the Methodist Central Hall, Manchester in order to speak powerfully of God’s love by making this building a focal point for community engagement through the combined use for mission and income through commercial use.
Membership of the Board offers an exciting opportunity to play a significant role in reimagining how
Methodist Central Hall, Manchester can be utilised in the 21st century for worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism thus enabling all those who enter the building to experience God’s love. Whilst at the same time recognising the significant potential the building has to generate income to support further missional work.
The Board will meet four times a year but additional meetings are anticipated. A Chair of Trustees will be appointed from the successful candidates (dependant on extensive experience)
Priority will be given to applicants who offer relevant skills and experience in areas including mission and evangelism, property management and development, finance, legal , employment or relevant local knowledge/community involvement.
All trustees must be members of the Methodist Church and will work on a voluntary basis (with reasonable expenses reimbursed).
If you would like to be part of a team shaping the future development of work and mission at Methodist Central Hall, Manchester or would like more information please contact MCHtrustees@gmail.com.
The closing date for completed applications is 5pm on 1 June 2019.
Women of the Community Celebration.
Friday 8th March was International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion Caroline Chugg, Chair of Devon County Council organised a morning celebration at Devon County Hall in Exeter. Those women invited had been put forward for making a positive difference to their communities. Deborah Bevan, one of our Family Workers at Tavistock Methodist Church was nominated by a toddler group parent.
Congratulations to Deborah, who paid tribute to all those volunteers who support the family work .
Chrissie Slaney
District Safeguarding Officer
for Plymouth & Exeter Methodist District
The Connexional Safeguarding Committee now have a strategic work plan. This is reviewed annually and guides work and set priorities. The District is also working on their own strategic plan and is the focus of our annual away days.
Due Diligence Checking began work on 1 January 2018 following a competitive procurement process and the transfer from the Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding. All checks have now moved online.
District Safeguarding Officers are now supervised nationally by Connexional Case Worker Supervisors
Tim Carter has been appointed as the Director for Safeguarding in the Methodist Church. This is to support the general work of safeguarding. The appointment will continue to set strategy and structure nationally.
There is now a pool of approved risk assessors recruited and commissioned by connexion safeguarding. This is to ensure a consistent standard and approach to safeguarding assessments. This should also ensure the reduction of delays in the connexion assessment process. Some risk assessments will still be conducted by the District Safeguarding Officer in discussion with Connexion Case Worker Supervisor. There has been an increase in District risk assessments completed by the District Safeguarding Officer this year.
The last year has seen the remainder of the past case referrals reviewed. Connexional Safeguarding are on target to complete this work. It is fair to say that learning lessons continues to be gathered and implemented because of the findings.
The 2017 Methodist Conference approved the introduction of safeguarding contracts to replace covenants of care. There are now new procedures for undertaking safeguarding risk assessments. It is key that ministers and superintendents make themselves aware of the changes. The District Safeguarding Officer must be informed of all safeguarding contracts in place and usually is part of the process of setting up and implementing. There has been an increase of work in this area for the District.
Safeguarding training
The Leadership Module has been completely revised and launched as a new Advanced Module course. This now includes essential online learning and role specific reflections. Safeguarding and Learning Network colleagues have taken a lead in the production of this material.
The Advanced Module course is coordinated locally by the District Safeguarding Trainer. We still presently don’t have a Learning Network Coordinator in place. This may mean that the rolling programme may not be achieved in the time scales set by National Connexion Safeguarding. This is a huge piece of work locally for the district.
There is a working party in place which is developing a module for monitoring and support groups volunteers. This is an important piece of work as they support and monitor those on safeguarding contracts
Discussions are in place with mission partners to offer more training and preparation for mission aboard. This will consider what is needed in addition it will maintain appropriate and good safeguarding practice in cultures and legal systems. These are sometimes very different to our British institutions.
The selection process and support for ministers from other countries and conferences is also under review. This is to ensure we meet good safeguarding processes and practices.
District Safeguarding Officers
The 2017 Methodist Conference adopted a formula to be used by all Districts in calculating the number of hours required for District Safeguarding Officers work. This was a way of assessing cover to meet safeguarding demands. Districts are now more able to review and understand the increasing demands of the position and develop a mechanism to look at current and future demands. Nationally this has seen an increase in hours allocated for most Districts.
Case work
The New Safeguarding Policy still requires embedding. There is strong evidence which suggests that Superintendents, Ministers and those who with a safeguarding role within circuits and church do not always ensure that the District Safeguarding Officer is a focal point of contact for advice and making referrals on safeguarding matters. This still often means that the case work is reactive rather that a proactive to ensure good safe working practices. There is however an increase in risk assessment work and safeguarding contracts work.
National Safeguarding Conference
Last year’s annual safeguarding conference continued to consider survivors and victims of abuse. This means we are continuing to focus and reflect on the progress of safeguarding within the Church and how we share that with outside agencies demonstrating our competence.
Local work in the District continues to focus on victims and survivors. This has resulted in a strong theme for our next network safeguarding day in March 2019
To conclude
Finally, it is fair to say that there has been no reduction in society’s on-going exposure to safeguarding matters. These may relate to past cases, current allegations or convictions of abuse. It is interesting that the football world and charitable organisations like Oxfam have experienced challenge to their own unsafe working practices and behaviours. The are some similarities in the exposure of these in our own handling and dealings with past and present cases. In addition, last year my local (and nationally) ecumenical colleagues particularly in the Catholic and Church of England, have answered difficult and challenging questions about a series of cases of clergy abuse. These were exposed in public hearings conducted by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). We need to understand that the Methodist Church and our District isn’t immune from this review now or in the future. This means we must continue with our efforts to take full advantage of the learning from our own past case review. I work closely with the District Safeguarding Group. This is to ensure we continue to develop and create safe space for all to attend church. Together as Superintendents, Ministers and District/Circuit/Church Safeguarding Officers we can make a difference and ensure we develop safe and nurturing places for members and users alike.
If you require any information from the previous website, please get in touch with Louise Martin, District Administrative Officer for Plymouth & Exeter Methodist District at admin@pemd.org.uk or on 01392 211624
