Ossett and Horbury Circuit Service

This evening I lead a circuit service at Horbury Methodist Church in the Ossett and Horbury Circuit of the Leeds District. It is the home church of my parents-in-law, John and Vera Sudworth, and the home circuit of my aunt, Janet Hey, (pictured) so it felt very like a family occasion.

The circuit Superintendent minister, Rev Tony Walton and circuit stewards all took part in the service and we benefited from a dramatised reading by the worship leaders of The King’s Way Church as well as a large choir. Members from neighbouring circuits also joined the service, which was good to see as they start to develop links as part of on going discussions about a possible future single circuit that could bring together 4 of the current circuits around the Wakefield area. It is an exciting and challenging time for all of them.

Horbury Methodist Church has a vision for a new church building. Their current building has significant structural problems and the hope is to raise £1.8 million to build a building that is fit for Church and community. Pictured below with the plans are Rev Tony Walton and Mr John Sudworth who leads the new building group. They’ve raised around £0.5 million so far and they remain committed to the task despite the difficulties they’ve had with planning restrictions. Even trying to get permission to deal with the large trees that have damaged the foundations at the front of the church has been difficult. Please pray for them as they try to live out what God has called them to do in Horbury.