13/07 Cleveland & Danby

Cleveland and Danby Methodist Circuit
Report to Spring Synod 2021
Following our 'Pathfinder' 'snapshot' of the circuit (completed in 2019) we have begun to crystallise our thinking in terms of future vision and a direction of travel.
At the time of writing this report the circuit meeting is yet to adopt and approve a new vision statement (watch this space!). Suffice to say that the statement will reflect a hunger to grow, spiritually, within our vitality to reach out in mission and to grow new disciples of Jesus. We will be linking everything we do to the 'Our Calling' statement of the Methodist Church.
Without question this past year has been challenging for us all; however, right across the Circuit people have stepped up, reaching out in a myriad of different ways; offering pastoral care and the ability to worship God in new ways, through the mixed economy of hybrid worship; we are so lucky to have had the Revd Kevin Highfield stationed to us as our new probationer who has some expertise and the passion to match in the delivery of online worship, Bible study and pastoral care.
I am also so grateful for my colleague the Revd Alan Coates and his encouragement and listening ear for me personally; our three lay workers continue to be an inspiration to me in the ways they have adapted during the pandemic. I have also been so grateful of the secretarial support of our administrator Rachael. Finally, I have been so moved, by the tireless commitment of so many lay people, both in terms of people that hold official office within the church, but also the 'unsung' heroes who have touched so many lives during this past year, ringing people, delivering 'paper' worship and newsletters and generally caring for people.
Like so many people we are looking forward to the time when we can begin to rebuild following this awful year. My perception of the Circuit is that there is a hunger to begin to re-establish the mission and worship life of the church, we certainly plan, purpose and prepare for those future times. We are lucky as a circuit to have been given a place on the Transforming Leadership Learning Community for 2021 and it is my belief that this will have a positive effect on the circuit.

John Henry
Superintendent