Dear Friends, As this Connexional Year draws to its close and the new Year draws closer it does so in a time of significant crisis all around. On the global front there are the various conflicts all around the globe that persist. Amongst the others, the unconscionable attack on the Ukraine is impacting a wide range of issues from energy provision to global food provision impacting virtually every economy on the Locallyplanet.wesuffer
On the Church front we too enter into a time of transition and change. Both Kim and Jan move into the final year of their ministries amongst us and so we are contemplating the opportunities the Stationing processes of the Methodist Church will provide as we seek their replacement. In the southern part of the Circuit, we are working towards drawing the Partridge Green, St Andrew’s and London Road congregations into an exciting new partnership in the Gospel – one church operating out of three chapels. Into all of this we are urged to ‘…pray without ceasing...’ 1 Thess 5:17 and whilst I am sure we’ll all probably say ‘Amen!’ to that, it probably feels more than a little daunting even thinking about engaging with that injunction.
Superintendent Minister: Revd Gavin Hancocks
Editor: Angela Hancocks dhnews@dhcircuit.org
Dorking & HorshamNEWSLETTERCircuit Autumn Edition 2022
the impact of those events as we are confronted with spiralling costs and the inept governance of a political party that has completely lost the plot. More and more people are becoming dependant on Foodbank and Community Fridge provision. Just this morning I was down at St Andrew’s and, in the space of 20 minutes, 53 people had been through the doors and all that was left was a pile of bread that obviously made up the bulk of the food available.
Superintendent’s Update
For me, prayer takes on a number of forms, one of which is conversation. So, if I can start from the bottom up, perhaps we can find our way into the seeming insurmountable issues at the top of the pile.
Take for example the Stationing conversation. We have known that Jan’s appointment was ending in the summer of next year when he looks to retire completely for the active ministry. Currently Jan is serving as a Supernumerary Minister in a part time appointment. When Kim indicated in June that she was not going to seek an extension we knew we needed to begin a conversation in earnest to determine the way forward. The Circuit Stewards and I engaged in conversations with the District and Synod and the Leadership Teams of the three churches and together, over the month of July we have been able to shape a meaningful profile to aid us in calling a new minister to take up an appointment covering Effingham, Cobham and Leatherhead as from September next year. Of course, that conversation is not at its end yet! The next stage is being matched with a Presbyter in the Stationing rounds in the autumn so please keep the conversation going! Both in your private conversations with God and in our corporate ones as we meet and consider and discern.
Similarly, our 3into1 conversation is giving shape to a new possibility across the three southern churches. What began as an idea has begun to develop into a gradually taking shape possibility as we take the time to reflect together around the benefits of bigger partnership in the Gospel between the churches. The most encouraging sign of God answering our prayers was the time we spent together recently at Trinity Methodist Church, Storrington to begin to discern together a vision for the new church. Sixty-One people gathered to share in the day and the buzz and sense of anticipation that grew by the end of the day was clear evidence to me that God was answering our prayers!
Gavin Hancocks
What do I mean by ‘prayer is conversation’? Well, simply this: whenever we engage in conversation with one another about something it is a form of prayer.
Now we just need to find a way to move that all up to the next level!
Especially when we take the time to acknowledge God in the conversation and use the conversation to listen carefully to one another for the voice of God.
Maureen EffinghamPrescottMethodist Church Effingham has been meeting with Kim for prayers at the Chapel early on Friday mornings for some years, but during Lockdown we moved to Zoom and were joined by members of Cobham United Church. Dave took over hosting when Kim got Covid in February 2021 and has continued to create slides to combine music and images that reflect the news and views of the world around us. This helps us to pray for our churches and
Currently, the number of national and international situations that need prayer can feel overwhelming, and there are lots of needs within the church family and the local community as well. A prayer group meets each week on Zoom. People can make a prayer request in person, online, or by using our WhatsApp prayer chain. We are praying for wisdom for the Circuit Invitation Committee as they consider the needs of the three churches in the north of the Circuit and begin the process to seek a new minister to support mission and care for us.
Cobham United Church “Ever since Jesus taught his disciples to pray, prayer has been an essential part of the church. It is something we value highly. For many years now we have had a prayer chain led by a co ordinator. Messages used to be passed by telephone to those involved but now email has taken over which also has the advantage that participants can be informed of requests and needs even when not at home. It is something we can offer to friends and contacts outside the church as well as to our own members and has been much appreciated by many people over the years. We also have a cross on a table in the church vestibule with paper and pen so that any of the many people who use the church building can put a prayer request on the cross which will then be included in the next service. Before lockdown we used to have a weekly prayer meeting in the Manse but when that was no longer possible, we turned to zoom. Now Effingham Methodist Church organise a much-valued weekly zoom prayer session with music and open prayer for any members of the churches in the pastorate. We have a nucleus of regular members and others attend when they can. Of course, being on zoom it can be accessed even when members are away, and we have had people participating from overseas on occasion. Prayer transcends borders!”
Anthea Willis – URC Trustee Leatherhead Methodist Church It has been a busy Summer so far. We joined with the Parish Church to celebrate Pentecost and it was a delight to worship and sing a mixture of contemporary and traditional hymns and songs together. Our new fortnightly ‘Connect’ groups are meeting in person or on Zoom. We are enjoying looking at spiritual gifts, praying together and enjoying each other’s company. At the June ‘Time for Tea’ we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with festive food and decorations and a ‘photo-booth’.
congregations, the Circuit, our ministers our communities and some of the problem areas around the World. We also get copies of the Methodist Prayer handbook for all our members at EMC as many of us use it for daily inspiration and to learn about other Methodist communities throughout the UK and the world. The theme for the 2022/2023 Prayer Handbook is: ‘The Greatest Commandment’ Matthew 22:37 39. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
With new prayers calling for the Methodist Church to be the Church that God desires and help to explore how we should live out Our Calling, as we respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ through discipleship, worship and mission. Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organisation specialising in freedom of religion and belief, send me a weekly online prayer diary of needs around the world, which is often a very hard read and a reminder of how lucky we are here in the UK. A few years ago, when I was contributing to the pastorate’s monthly magazine, I signed up for a monthly newsletter from The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) a partnership between the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church which aims to help the Churches to work together for peace and justice through listening, learning, praying, speaking, and acting on public policy issues. During Lockdown they started a daily online prayer which lands in my email from JPIT’s Stay & Pray team, praying for a different justice issue every day. Both Dave and I believe it is vital that we lift our eyes beyond our own immediate situations, ensuring that despite changing seasons in our lives, we maintain a rhythm of prayer. One of my favourite prayers is The Difference which was on a bookmark that I bought in a Cathedral bookshop. Although it was written over 80 years ago, it still seems very appropriate for our current challenging times. There are many online versions which say, “Author Unknown”, but the poet is Grace L. Naessens from a Catholic Church in USA who died in February this year. Ange Putland TheDifference Igotupearlyonemorning andrushedrightintotheday. Ihadsomuchtoaccomplish thatIdidn'thavetimetopray. Problemsjusttumbledaboutme, andheaviercameeachtask. "Whydoesn'tGodhelpme?" Iwondered. Heanswered,Youdidn'task." Iwantedtoseejoyandbeauty, butthedaytoiledon,greyandbleak. IwonderedwhyGoddidn'tshowme. Hesaid,"Butyoudidn'tseek”. ItriedtocomeintoGod'spresence. Iusedallmykeysatthelock. Godgentlyandlovinglychided, "Mychild,youdidn'tknock." Iwokeupearlythismorning, andpausedbeforeenteringtheday; Ihadsomuchtoaccomplish thatIhadtotaketimetopray.
Serving the churches as well as multiple roles within the denomination itself, has taught me that ministry never happens in isolation, it requires team work on every level, an accountability to one another and a desire to listen for God’s voice amongst one another. Bringing the two denominations together in Cobham required us to be fully open and hospitable, to acknowledge that God calls a priesthood of all believers. For even though some might wish to elevate one’s status as a minister we are no different from another, merely given a different role to fulfil. Within a team lies the prayerful wisdom and knowledge, passion and discernment that guides us as the people of God to move forwards. Differences can be overcome if there is a willingness to acknowledge those differences, and then together a willingness to seek a solution. We should never underestimate
Dear Friends, I have been invited to write something about calling and ministry in an ecumenical setting for the circuit
Whennewsletter.Ileftcollege in 2010, I was not sure what would await me. My roots over the 7 years before I felt the call to ministry, was a mixture of Anglican, Methodist, United Reformed Church (URC), Community and Charismatic churches, each offering an encounter with God in their own unique way. I came to value the diverse way in which God spoke through and moved through others. So, this new venture as a minster serving both the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church, across three churches, felt quite exciting. There was of course much to learn and much to understand, mostly concerning governance rather than worship, as we value much of the same Ithings.came to value the non conforming nature of both denominations, values rooted in an outward looking gospel. As a URC minister when we take our vows to serve God and serve the church, we also make a commitment to a denomination that believes that change is an inevitable part of the spirits calling. Both in terms of personal change but also in the structures of the URC, a willingness to change at every level. It’s an important aspect of ministry for me because no calling whether personally or as a church, can continue without the need for an openness to the ways in which God challenges us, structurally as well as personally. Otherwise, we end up asking who’s serving who?
the value of hospitality at every level. I will always be thankful for both churches for their willingness to respond to God’s call in becoming a United Church.
It has been my privilege to serve the churches in Cobham and Effingham, for between us we have followed God’s calling to consider what ministry looks like. For Effingham ministry in the village is inseparable from ecumenism, it is part of the very fabric of its churchmanship. Its value is in offering the community an example of what Christian discipleship looks like, unity of the body. A body which values its diversity.
High,"ItisgoodtopraisetheLordandmakemusictoyourname,OMosttoproclaimyourloveinthemorning,yourfaithfulnessatnight..."
Even though I will be moving on in 2023 I wish to thank the circuit for all their kindness and their hospitality shown to me as a ‘new’ minister and as a United Reformed Church minister. There were some things to navigate through as an ‘authorised’ minister within the Methodist Church, but I have been incredibly blessed that God called me into a pastorate that has supported me, allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them, and loved me. Bless you.
Kim Bring All Your Thoughts to God – by Henri Nouwen
Although many good things have been written about contemplation and contemplative prayer, many people still have the impression that contemplative prayer is something very special, very “high,” or very difficult, and really not for ordinary people with ordinary jobs and ordinary problems. This is unfortunate because the discipline of contemplative prayer is particularly valuable for those who have so much on their minds that they suffer from fragmentation. If it is true that all Christians are called to bring their thoughts into an ongoing conversation with their Lord, then contemplative prayer can be a discipline that is especially important for those who are deeply involved in the many affairs of the world.
One day in the prison, one of the inmates said to *me, "I've never been to church...How do you pray?" "Just talk to God in your mind," I replied. "I've tried that," she said, "and it doesn't "There'swork."
A Taketime session can be used with large groups, small groups or 1:1; With people of Christian faith, other faith, or no faith; With children, youth and adults. Two trained leaders are needed to run a Taketime session which typically consists of two 30-minute sessions. Participants are led through a couple of simple relaxation techniques for about 10 minutes. Then the leader slowly reads a script based upon one of the Gospel narratives, inviting participants to use their imagination and thereby enter the story themselves.
something called Ignatian meditation" I offered, "where we use our imagination . . ." "Let's do it!", she said. So, we did. With eyes closed, she entered into the story of the healing of the leper as it was slowly told. "And now picture Jesus turning to you and inviting you to share with him whatever is in your heart, whatever is on your mind. Just take the opportunity to do that now." A little while later. "Was that helpful?" "Yeah, I met Jesus and I've asked him into my life." And so began the development of Taketime Ignatian Meditations by *Clive McKie. In an accessible, non directive, experiential way anyone can encounter Jesus through hearing a Gospel narrative read in this reflective way. It provides the space for the Holy Spirit to work in a way that he chooses for each person. No hymn singing, no theological debates, no church jargon.
PSALM 92:1,2 (NIV Taketime Ignatian Meditations
Gentle direction is given, which provides the necessary space for participants to talk with Jesus, and to listen to what Jesus might be saying to them. After 510 mins of silence, the leader gently brings participants back to the present. The first half hour ends with a piece of gentle music. There is a 5 minute break to stretch, and for any participants to leave. The second half gives opportunity for people to reflect more, to share if they wish, and be enriched by listening to others' journey. The focus is slow, quiet
inner reflection, not cognitive discourse. For churches wanting to discover more of the inner life of the Holy Spirit, Taketime Ignatian Meditations offers a good framework to build upon. Check out the Taketime Ignatian Meditations online at https://taketime.org.uk/
Have a few Taketime business cards to give out as you talk to people. Send the link to friends. Let them explore Taketime for themselves online at home. There are some free short meditations under themes such as anger, grief, rejection. It's a refreshing way of praying. And what an easy way to point friends and strangers towards an encounter with Jesus. Sue Elliott (Taketime Practitioner and Co-leader of Taketime Together at St Andrews, Roffey)
London MethodistRoadChurch
Looking at the suggested theme of Prayer for this newsletter I was immediately reminded of the hymn ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ where the message throughout is ‘Take it to the Lord in prayer’. As a youngster it never occurred to me how important this is. It was only years later I began to understand the importance of prayer, not only as a time set aside to speak to God but also to listen. There are two main all inclusive areas our church has been involved with recently. One is the studying of the ‘Methodist Way of Life’ and the other is the 3 into 1 programme with St Andrew’s, and Partridge Green TheChurches.Methodist Way of Life is stated as: ‘The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission’. In the material it is stated that in response to God’s unconditional love there are 12 things that we do individually and together as we grow as followers of Jesus and first on the list is that we pray daily. I personally think there is nothing actually new in the material for Methodists but from a personal point of view it is a calling, as Methodists, we need to be reminded about. The programme in our church followed setting aside a month for each of the four main topics of What is our greatest Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving? “Psalm 100… ” Serve the Lord with gladness… Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting: and His truth endures to all generations.
Thirdly our regular Bible Studies have begun again after Covid. We began in June with a preliminary look at the Book of Daniel, but in July we are joining with Bible Month to look at the Book of Isaiah, which will be challenging and Ourinformative.fourthnew venture, which is still in the very early stages, is the proposal that we have a Village Larder sited at the Left hand side of the Church. The motto is “Give all you can, take all you need.” For those who have surplus produce in their gardens and allotments, this will provide a good opportunity to share with the local community. We hope that friends will donate tinned goods too.
There are new ventures going on in the South of the Circuit! To begin with, Sarah Pitkeathly has introduced quarterly “Songs of Praise” services, the first of which was held on Thursday July 7th. We were unsure as to how well attended these services would be outside the immediate Church family and were thrilled that so many responded to our invitation to join us the Southern churches were well represented, many from the village came and we were delighted that a few of our Open Door members attended too. This was surely an answer to prayer. The singing was very good, and the event was enjoyed by all. Secondly, we are aiming to hold after church “Bring and Share” lunches every two months. So far, they haven’t been well attended, but it’s early days!
Worship, Learning & Caring, Service and Evangelism where we had services followed by discussion groups in the following week and also opportunities to study at house groups. Although happening alongside the 3into1 programme it has been helpful in preparing us for the task ahead as we amalgamate the 3 churches into one collective administration and fellowship. This may seem daunting, but it is also an exciting opportunity to continue to support each other in the 3 communities where we are present and to build on that presence for their benefit. We are praying collectively and as individuals to God, not just to share our thoughts, plans and concerns but also to listen to his guidance in our project. May we ask everyone to join us in our prayers for our vision of the exciting future to come.
Alongside these new ventures we are carrying on with our regular events, namely Village Café, Open Door and
David PartridgeCaseyGreen Methodist Church
Matthew 7:7 says: Ask, Jesus said, and you will receive; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. Not sure that’s always been my experience, I’m not even sure that was always Jesus’ experience. Surely, he prayed that Judas heart would be changed, we are told that Jesus prayed the ‘cup would pass him by’ , yet he kept faith with his father.
‘Teach us to pray’, how well we know those words, I’m not sure what we expect when we say teach us to pray.
Prayer is not magic, nor is it a shopping list of requests. Prayer is not about changing God’s mind so that we get what we want. Prayer is about relationship with God, it’s about connection, about imagination, participating with God in the creation of new possibilities for his people. Prayer informs our actions, changes our hearts, encourages us to have hope. To pray is to access spirit power. It’s the key that opens the door to newness, healing, peace, hope, that has been my experience. Prayer is to let go and let God.”
Kate Fraser
Maybe it’s a recipe, then if we don’t get the response we wanted, we can say well we followed the recipe!
Messy Church. Village café meets once a month, and during the summer will be held in the park. Open Door meets fortnightly with an interesting line up of speakers, and Messy Church is held five times a year. All these activities give us the opportunity to get alongside people and befriend them. Last, but by no means least, is the “3into1” proposal. We are looking at the possibility of the three Southern churches becoming united. There are many meetings taking place to take this idea forward, all of which are surrounded by prayer. As a result, we are already seeing slightly more movement between the churches and hope that something very positive will evolve. Judy Stokes St Andrews Methodist Church We at St Andrews currently seek to serve Christ through prayer in the following way: We deliver a prayer card each month to each home in a given area. We also pray for the school in that area, any businesses, local council offices and other groups that may meet. Each group activity held at church is regularly prayed for as well and we will also have 24/7 prayer where you sign up to a particular time and pray for a specific problem that has occurred. This could be local, national, or global. We try to fit this with prayer that has been called for by other organisations. We, also have a Prayer Tree where prayer requests can be hung, and these are collected and prayed into, and we have a prayer board in the window inviting local community to pray with us about a variety of topics. We are trying to encourage people to tell us when prayers have been answered no matter how small.
*To discover more from John van de Laar, please go to his website www.sacredise.com for more Liturgical and Personal Spiritual Practice Guides
Amen. By Revd John van de Laar Sacredise
Enough Worry and stress are not hard for us, God, we do them without thinking. There is always the potential of threat to our security, our ourourcomfort,health,relationships,ourlives, and we foolishly think that we could silence the fear if we just had enough money, enoughenoughinsurance,toys, enough stored away for a rainy day.
It’s never enough, though; the voice of our fear will not be dismissed so easily. But, in the small, silent places within us is another voice; one that beckons us into the foolishness of faith, that points our gaze to the birds and the flowers, that, in unguarded moments, lets our muscles relax, and our hearts lean into loved ones; In unexpected whispers we hear it, calling us to remember your promises, your grace, your faithfulness; And, suddenly, we discover That it is enough.
Church Minister Contact Superintendent Revd HancocksGavin 01403 253 915 - 07880528170 (m) Email: superintendent@dhcircuit.org Cobham United Church Revd PlumptonKim 01932 586988 Email: minister@cobhamurc.org.uk MethodistEffingham Church Revd PlumptonKim 01932 586988 Email: kimp_822@hotmail.com MethodistLeatherheadChurch Revd Jan Hofmeyr 01372 362145 Email: leatherheadmc@gmail.com London MethodistRoadChurch Revd PitkeathlyDeaconHancocks/GavinSarah 01403 253 915 078880528170(m) Email: minister@lrmchorsham.org 01403 255718 - 07869 802024 Email: deacon@dhcircuit.org Partridge MethodistGreenChurch Revd PitkeathlyDeaconHancocks/GavinSarah 01403 253 915 07880528170 (m) Email: minister@lrmchorsham.org 01403 255718 07869 802024 Email: deacon@dhcircuit.org St MethodistAndrewsChurch Revd SarahDeaconHancocksGavin/Pitkeathly 01403 253 915 – 07880528170 (m) Email: minister@lrmchorsham.org 01403 255718 07869 802024 Email: deacon@dhcircuit.org Additional Circuit Ministers Dorking Christian Centre Revd PitkeathlyDavid 01306 david.pitkeathly@btinternet.com886830 Circuit Stewards Angela Putland 01372 angeputland@gmail.com454850 Brian Frogley (Treasurer) 01403 bfrogley@aol.com264570 Carol Stoves 01372 cstoves@btinternet.com362145