All Change

It has been a time of change this summer, in Downing Street, at the top of the Methodist Church and here at Hucclecote.

Following the General Election we have a new government and many of us have a new MP to get to know and to work with.

The Methodist Church has an election every year for the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference. They are the face and voice of the Methodist Church for twelve months. The President is always a Minister, and the Vice-President is always a lay person.

This year our President is Revd Helen Cameron. She is currently President of Churches Together in England. Helen read prayers at the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen, and blessed King Charles at his Coronation alongside the Archbishops. In her Conference address,she invited the Methodist Church to listen to the lived experience of those who experience poverty and learn from marginal communities about what needs to change so that all can flourish.

Mrs Carolyn Godfrey became Vice President for 2024-2025. Carolyn is the District Safeguarding Officer for the Darlington and Newcastle Districts. She has a background helping to support children with additional needs and families facing complex issues.When she spoke to Conference, Carolyn encouraged members of the church to start by making small changes that would build together into a wave of transformation in the church as it seeks to “Learn to do right, seek justice and defend the oppressed”.

Here in Hucclecote we will have a Minister from the beginning of September. Our current Minister Barry is ‘sitting down’ as the Methodist Church call it. We wish him a long and happy retirement with his wife and his family.

We have a chance to say thank you to Barry for all he has done for us during his time as Minister this Sunday. His final service at 10.30am is followed by a Bring and Share lunch which (weather permitting) will be on the green alongside the church, so bring your chairs and blankets.

We look forward to welcoming and working with our new Minister Rev. John McNeill who lives in Churchdown.

We ask for God’s blessing on everyone adjusting to significant change in their lives at the moment.