Durham and Deerness Methodist Circuit Website
Report to Spring Synod 2018
Work in our local communities has continued to develop, through the efforts of ministerial staff, lay workers and lay volunteers. Children's work has continued to develop throughout the Circuit with 'Messy Church' sessions being offered in several more of our churches and Children's Clubs and Holiday Clubs. By using Brandon, Carrville, All Saints Newton Hall, and Sacriston churches the majority of schools in the Circuit have the opportunity to experience 'The Christmas Journey' with their Year Two pupils and 'The Easter Journey' with their Year Five pupils. Other schools accessed these events in their local village chapel. These events are greatly appreciated by both staff and children and are firmly established on school calendars.
'Open The Book' — the re-telling of Bible stories in schools — has begun in Brandon and Carrville and teams are being recruited in other churches to expand this work across the circuit.
Our churches serve their local communities through coffee mornings, craft groups, activities for older members of society and regular visits to neighbouring care homes. Work continues to grow amongst local Care and Nursing Homes with monthly midweek services held at Lindisfarne, Newton Hall, Melbury Court, Durham and Orchard House, Brandon. These services are greatly appreciated by the residents.
The Parish Nursing Ministry established in Witton Gilbert goes from strength to strength. The Parish Nurse works closely with the Medical Practice at Sacriston and attends the coffee mornings at Sacriston and Langley Park on a monthly basis.
Prayer, Bible Study, Lent and Advent Groups are held at many churches often in conjunction with our ecumenical partners. These attract good numbers of both church and community members for shared learning and development. Several churches have seen a growth in the number of people attending 'housegroups'.
The churches of the Circuit are unstinting in their support for local, national and international charities — many churches support Foodbanks which serve the local area. Financial support is extended to projects such as Youth for Christ Mentoring Project, Grace Haven Orphanage in Myanmar, local hospices and housing scheme 'Moving On', Christian Aid and Global Care. A large number of shoebox gifts are sent from churches around the circuit to Eastern Europe through the Samaritans Purse Appeal.
The mission of the Circuit continues through the leadership of our dedicated ministers and lay appointees. The work of volunteers will continue to become increasingly important as we seek to enhance our varied outreach and service to the local communities of our Circuit.
Sue Smith
Circuit Administrator