Message from the Superintendent Minister Rev Tony Malcolm
Dear Circuit
Friends,
I write to you at
the start of this new Methodist year, and still deep into the 6
month of this horrific Covid pandemic. Through extensive Risk Assessments,
churches are trying to discern how and when it might be safe to resume gathered
Sunday worship as well as other activities. We know that until there is a cure
or a vaccine there will be little chance of any ‘return to normal’. We
therefore need to adapt to this new normal.
Over the summer a
number of changes have taken place in the circuit:
1. Revd Charles
Ilunga has moved to continue ministry in South London;
2. Revd Ebute Obiabo
has sat down (retired);
3. My family have
moved into the Chester Road manse, and will now formally take on pastoral
responsibility
for Wanstead & Leytonstone;
4. Revd Oseias Da
Silva and his family have moved into The Risings manse;
5. Revd Stephanie Njeru
and her family have moved from Scotland to the Vicarage Road manse. She will
take on pastoral responsibility for Cann
Hall, Leyton Trinity and The Lighthouse.
All these have been made possible through the work co-ordinated by the
team of Circuit Stewards (Dallion, Lincoln, David, and Flo), to whom we owe a
great debt. Their work continues as we look to sell a manse and rent another,
as the circuit, along with local churches & businesses, respond to the need
to bridge the financial void caused by the lockdown.
David Hobbs has stepped down as a Circuit Steward from the end of
August, though he will still be contributing to the life of the Circuit through
his leading worship and his contributions to other circuit groups. I would like
to share my personal thanks to David for his support from day one. He stepped
up at a difficult time in the life of the circuit and has helped to steer us
through with his wisdom and discernment. He will be missed in this role.
The renewed challenge before us as a circuit is to find people who have
the skills to support the circuit in the role of Circuit Stewards. We were
operating on a reduced number before this September, and this is now
exaggerated. Please consider if this is something for you and speak to your
minister.
On Wednesday 2 September we will have a welcome service
for Revd Stephanie. Unfortunately, this has to be a service with limited
numbers (Stephanie & her family, a steward from the 3 churches Stephanie
will have pastoral charge of, a circuit Steward, myself and the District
Chair). Although this will be the formal welcome, we hope to have a full
circuit welcome as soon as the conditions are right; until then we hope to
record the service and share it afterwards.
We will continue to meet with each other in person, safely where
possible, or online virtually where necessary. Please make your safety and the
safety of your church communities your priority.
Ahead of us there are many unknowns. We hear the word ‘unprecedented’
used more and more, to the extent that it is becoming the norm! How do we
respond? What is our good news in these unprecedented times? Well, it must
surely be this – we are Easter People, hopeful people, gracious people, loving
and beloved people. No pandemic can stop us living out these aspects of our
faith.
So, once again we answer the call to be strengthened through prayer and
fellowship in order that we can share the greatest story with those who need to
hear it, whilst at the same time reminding those who may have forgotten to power
of the story.
I pray that we are blessed with a clarity of vision to take forward the
mission of this circuit; and may God be glorified in all we do.
Yours in the love of Christ
Revd Tony Malcolm
September 2020
Forest Circuit Mission statement
The London Forest Methodist Circuit is committed to
furthering God’s kingdom by enabling and supporting local churches in the
growth of their discipleship and mission; resourcing local churches under
the power of the Holy Spirit to function as effective centres for worship,
witness, and community wellbeing
I
