Methodist City Centre Network Conference (MCCN)

Every two years the Methodist City Centre Network hosts a conference in Swanwick bringing together those who work in city centres or large towns. I have been a part of this Network for the last nine years as a result of working at Brunswick Methodist Church in the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The conference provides a great opportunity to meet with other city centre practitioners ordained and lay to share the joys and challenges of working in this environment, listen to seminars and worship together.


Rev Dr Pete Phillips is the Secretary of our Faith and Order Committee and Director of Research for the Centre for Biblical Literacy at St John's College Durham.

Pete began our sessions on Tuesday morning looking at John 1: Embodied mission in a digital age. We were encouraged to reflect on how we might use the digital world which we are now all part of to communicate the gospel and share the story of God in the emerging and constantly developing environment of the digital world.










Revd Lucy Winkett has recently been appointed Rector of St James Piccadilly in London after nearly 13 years at St Paul's Cathedral where she had responsibility for music and liturgy. In her session 'It's like Piccadilly Circus around here...where is the God of peace in a chaotic world?' Lucy explored some of the issues and challenges of the modern city and the ways in which we as a church can remind people of a different way of being and valuing each other.


Revd Peter Hancock is currently chair of the Northampton District and was previously chair of the RUN -Reaching Unchurched Network. Peter shared his belief that new pioneering forms of Church can be a prophetic sign to the Church as a whole of the future that God is leading it to. He advocates the non-denomination, non party all in it together for the Gospel and the Kingdom ethos of RUN.




Phil Summers from APPLECART joined us for an entertaining session describing his work. APPLECART is an arts project which uses storytelling, music, drama and visual arts to explore the richness of the Gospel with a twenty-first century audience. Normally performing in an East London pub they are amazing - if you ever get the opportunity do go and watch them, they share the Gospel story in a unique style with integrity and passion.





After I led a seminar called 'Sex and the City' based around some of our work at Brunswick with vulnerable women Revd Paul Smith and I led our final act of worship, sharing Holy Communion together.
This service symbolised for me all that the Network is about, meeting with each other centred in the God who in Christ gave himself for us.

Old and Young

Dave and I spent a brilliant time at Ammerdown with a group of people who were not at all old, but who walk alongside the elderly. These are MHA Chaplains, full of deep concern for the work, gifted and full of grace. It was a joy to lead a retreat where they could have space to pay attention to their own needs for a brief while, before returning to the various communities where they serve. I am very grateful that MHA were kind enough to invite me to do this for them.

We prayed and reflected; shared and discussed; created pictures and bracelets and rings; and heard the voice of God in all we did together. It was a holy time.

Then I went, without Dave, to the Youth Assembly at Liddington - just outside the District I used to serve and into the Bristol District. A time of energy and noise and passion for life and for God. Late nights and early mornings; laughter and serious conversation; prayer and song and dance; shared sorrow and pain; and the voting and decision making of any good conference. I do like electronic voting, even though I don't understand the technology behind it!

It was great to be working with all the folk who work so hard to enable our young people to participate well - and with Christy-Anna our current Youth President. It was also good to be there for the designation of next year's Youth President - Sam - and to catch up on news from the 'old patch'. Please pray for them both as she continues to do such a great job around the connexion and he prepares for next year.

History and State

Next visit to London, which I confess is not a place where I feel at home - but where I do have some amazing friends. Staying this time with Sue and Daniel ready for my engagements at church and the Cenotaph.

Hinde Street at its best represents the Methodist ability to combine good worship, community, and social action. It was a delight to share in a Quiet Day with them as they prepared for the great Anniversary celebrations this coming week end. Sue provided many additional possibilities for prayer as we reflected together on choosing, and discerning God's call.

After the Morning event on Sunday, I was able to share in the evening communion service and then we ate and drank together while the members/attenders provided questions and I tried to supply some answers. My grateful thanks to everyone for the hospitality, and for the challenge to think and reflect even more about God's grace and the future.

The morning at the Cenotaph was a privilege and a fascinating event. Such an opportunity to remember in so many ways, and to engage in conversation with politicians, leaders of faith communities, representatives of many other nations, and the paid and voluntary staff who served us all so well. I am grateful to Methodism for giving me that moment with those people.

Gatherings and Retreats

Last week I enjoyed being able to be part of the Women Ministers' Annual Gathering at Loyola Hall. We met to reflect and share, being led by Sister Anne Marie and offered both wisdom and space for our needs. I am always greatly encouraged by the women who gather on these occasions - by their faith, their courage and their giftedness, and by their willingness to offer those gifts in the service of others. I thank God for the time I spent with them; for all that we learnt together; for the real sense of re-creation; and for the laughter and joy that this sharing makes possible. We meet next year in Ammerdown.

Then it was on to West Yorkshire and a warm welcome into Doreen and Peter's home. We joined in the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Holmfirth Circuit where the worship in the Civic Hall was also attended by Civic Dignitaries. It was good to meet with old friends and catch up on their news, but it was also good to meet new people and rejoice in their hopes and dreams for the future.

Next stop was Whirlow Grange and the District Retreat, where again I was able to catch up with folk I knew when I too served in that District, but rejoiced in meeting new friends as well. Taking time again to pray and reflect was refreshing for all of us - including the cuddly toys who shared in our time together! My grateful thanks to all of the group - and to the Living God who makes all things possible.

Edinburgh and Forth Circuit

Travelling North for the first time on a Vice-Presidential visit took us to the Edinburgh and Forth Circuit to stay with our friends, Rev Andrew Letby, Superintendent of the Circuit and his wife Deacon Belinda Letby. Andrew and Belinda lived in Newcastle upon Tyne several years ago where Andrew served as District Economic Enabler and Belinda was a member at Brunswick prior to diaconal training at Wesley Study Centre, Durham. Andrew shares responsibility and oversight alongside the staff team for eight churches with approx 500 members and a variety of projects.

On Sunday morning I joined Deacon Belinda Letby where she ministers at Nicolson Square, part of the City of Edinburgh churches. Four congregations have come together on this site and are now looking at their new future together alongside re-ordering their premises.




Chatting with the Circuit staff team, I was deeply impressed by the depth of their friendship and colleagueship. It was very clear that here were a group of people committed to teamwork, growth and the challenges of mission in their churches and communities. It was good to hear of exciting opportunities and new idea's for the future.

Holiness and Risk (equivalent of EDEV-Extending Discipleship Exploring Vocation) is a good example of the unique way in which a team of people have adapted a concept for the specific Scottish context. Using the title from the Methodist conference event the intention is to create a far-reaching lifelong culture of extending and exploring discipleship. The programme hopes to offer a chance for people of all ages to explore their journey as Christian disciples by looking at what has brought them to this point, seeking to discern what God is saying now and where the journey will lead next. The four main elements of this national programme are:-
Discerning - recognising past adventures and discovering new ones.
Rooting - exploring the place of the Methodist Church in this journey.
Reflecting- discovering what God is doing in the world and how we can join in.
Learning - gathering what we need to equip us for the continuing adventure with God.



We spent Bonfire night in the manse garden with members of the Circuit staff team after a gorgeous meal cooked by Belinda.

Border Country

Eunice is right about the hospitality of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District - and a lot more besides! Dave and I stayed with John and Mary Howard and the welcome was warm and full of laughter. After the conversation with the presbyters, we went to visit MHA, where there is caring and supportive independant accomodation for those who need a range of help - but also a wonderful and stimulating home for those who live with varieties of dementia.



I found it particularly moving as we joined in the singing which enlivened so many of the residents. I was sitting with a gentleman who had been a choir member and had sung in local pubs and clubs to the great joy of many. And I remembered my mother, who was part of a famous choir before she married and left (as you had to in those far off days) to"sing for her children." My mother 'left' us some years before she died and I wept as I sang with that community.



The dinner with Superintendents was fun and informative, as was the morning Bible study the next day. It was good to explore the chosen theme of Christ the King and I trust it was of use to those who will be preaching on that Sunday! Eunice has mentioned the reflections on the Israel/Palestine report and debate. I am grateful to Anthony Hick for all that he shared with us and to the rest of the gathering for their contributions.



Sunday was the real border country day for us. Morning service at Wem, where we were able to feel completely at home and worshipped God with great joy. Thank you! And then, after a delicious lunch of local and home grown food (thank you, Sue) we wandered through England and Wales visiting local chapels before we reached our evening destination.



Chirk - and the window behind me contains the words
"I have kept the faith". That phrase informed my preaching and has stayed in my heart. It is my prayer for the people of that new border circuit as they explore serving God in new ways.

Wolverhampton District Visit

Here are some highlights from our recent visit to the Wolverhampton District organised by the District Chair Rev John Howard.

As we travel around the Connexion, we are very appreciative of the hospitality offered by so many people. During our visit to Wolverhampton John and I stayed with Deacon Ann Shephard and her husband Tony, who looked after us with great warmth, kindness and generosity for which we were deeply grateful.




On our first morning we gathered at Dawley Christian Centre where I met and chatted with the Deacons whilst Alison shared in conversation with the Presbyteral Ministers.







Reaching out to the pubs and clubs in Cannock....

Pictured here with Deacon Ann Shephard, Rev Antony Hick and his wife Rossalyn and Student Deacon Georgina Brook, I joined the Cannock Churches Together team distributing tea/coffee/soup etc from 10pm-1am. The team stand near the pubs and clubs opposite a taxi rank every Friday/Saturday evening and are highly valued by those they serve.

Reaching out in the Marketplace.......

In the market town of Stone, St Johns Church wanted to reach out to their community, they contemplated renting a shop but the expense was prohibitive so instead they decided to run a monthly market stall on the High Street selling cards and Christian books. Every month they give items away from balloons to Christian booklets and mince pies at Christmas.


Here I am alongside a member of the team. This Saturday's gift was a flower with the greeting, 'You are a unique, unrepeatable miracle of God-God likes you and loves you.' The team commented that many people are astonished at receiving something 'free.'

Reaching out through walks in the countryside......
In Trinity Church, Stafford a coffee shop is open everyday but on Saturdays they allow other groups to run the coffee shop and keep the money! Here I am with a member of Bishops Offley Church who were running the cafe on this occasion. Bishops Offley is a very small rural chapel of around 12 people who have started to engage in outreach by leading walks around their local area and providing food for the walkers when they return.



Saturday afternoon found us all at Great Wyrley Methodist Church for a session led by Revd Antony Hick. Antony recently attended a study tour in Jerusalem and presented his experiences, after which Alison reflected on the report accepted at Methodist Conference this year on Israel/Palestine.


On Sunday I joined Shifnal Methodist Church alongside the Chair of District John Howard to share in morning worship. The premises have recently been refurnished and the congregation here are exploring how they might reach out to the surrounding community, they are already doing some great work with the MHA Live at Home scheme.