Chipping Norton and Stow on the Wold Circuit Bicentenary

On Sunday September 14th I was in Chipping Norton School where the Chipping Norton and Stowe on the Wold Circuit were celebrating their bicentenary. I think this must be an unusual event and it was a privilege to be part of it.

The choir sang an introit at the start of worship

 
Members of the circuit were joined by minsters who had served there including Revd Ronald Frost, who had been in the circuit in 1945. Friends from other parts of the country joined us along with the Mayor and other community representatives.


The singing was led by a combined Circuit and Church choir and the hymns included one specially written for the occasion by one of the choir members. We enjoyed it so much, we sang it twice!

A candle was lit for each church in the circuit

Revd Soba Sinnathamby, Superintendent Minister

 Each church in the circuit has been challenged to begin something new for mission in this bicentenary year and they are rising to the challenge.

Among the many documents that I have signed this year are the authorisations for lay people to preside at communion. As I signed them I prayed for each person so it was especially significant for me to be invited by the Chair of District to present the authorisation to one of the Circuit Local Preachers.



We celebrated 200 years and looked forward in faith and in hope to the next 200!

With Revd Peter Hancock and some members of the circuit