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Welcome to the Nene Valley Circuit.
We are a group of 8 congregations that are part of the Methodist Church.We are situated in East Northamptonshire approximately 6 miles north of Northampton and 8 miles east of Kettering.Our circuit covers urban and rural areas, growing towns and small villages.We come from many different walks of life. Some of us have been Christians for many years, others are just starting their journey with God. We are passionate about God and serving our communities.We have activities, services and events for all ages and interests.If you would like to get in touch, please use the contact details in the Staff and Stewards area.We also have a Facebook page Nene Valley Methodist Circuit.
As part of the Methodist Church, we centre our work and worship around the following. Check out the Our priorities tab to find out more.As from 31.12.2020 our churches will be closed to public worship and activities. This is due to Northamptonshire being placed into Tier 4 restrictions.
Our online worship continues. You are welcome to join us via Zoom at 9.30am for Contact - a fresh expression of church or 10.30am for worship.
Worship material will be available on our website under the weekly worship section.
If you would like to join us, please email Rev Lesley at lesleydinham@gmail.com or Rev Kim at rev@theshorleys.co.uk for login details.
Please be assured we are here should you need anything.
Why not try some of our online sessions? A chance to catch up with others, get some conversation and make new friends. All sessions are free and open to all. Please email nvmethodistypf@gmail.com for login details. You can also catch up on what's happening on our Facebook Page.
Search for Nene Valley Methodist Circuit.
A New Year Pastoral Letter from Rev. Lesley. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
‘In times such as these’
I send my Greetings to you all in the name of our Incarnate God, hoping that you have
had a peace - filled Christmas and , despite it having been different this year, you’ve been
able to celebrate the coming of love into the world in the person of Jesus Chris t our Lord.
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you all. I therefore thought the coming in of 2021
the perfect time to be in touch with you once again.
Looking back
What a year it has been! This time last year none of us knew what was to come and none
of us was prepared for what we would have to deal with but, by the grace of God and
with the advice of those who have always had our best interests at heart, we’re doin g all
we can to manage the best we can through this terrible pandemic. I’m sure there are
some amongst us who have already been immunised and will be looking forward to
having their booster; whilst others of us wait to be called. I would mention at this point
the cost has been great. We ’re only too well aware that thousands in this country and
millions across the world have lost loved ones and we pray that God will comfort all who
mourn on this, the eve of the end of what has been , a very difficult year .
One thing we can celebrate is that for those of us who use the internet, w e now know
how to zoom and how to record for YouTube. All of us, whether we use the internet or
not, have engaged in Worship in many different forms and will continue to do so for a
while yet. One of the Circuit’s greatest accomplishments has been that we managed to
open all our Churches with Risk Assessments in place. I would like to thank all who have
been involved with this across the Circuit. It’s not be en an easy task keeping up with
ever - changing guidance. Speaking of which, as we know only yesterday the situation
changed yet again. We have now gone into Tier 4 and therefore, to keep everyone as
safe as possible, all our Churches must close with immed iate effect. This means that
Circuit Worship will resume, until further notice, every Sunday morning on zoom at
10.30am.
As I’m sure you ’ re all aware, most of our meetings this past year have had to take place
online. In some instances, this works and in others, it does not. We will continue to
monitor this and where we can lessen our carbon footprint by meeting online then we
will endeavour to do that. I’m grateful to you all for adhering to the guidance that we
keep our distance, even when we’re able to meet in Church. It won’t be forever and we
pray sincerely that as the year goes on, we will be able to once again have the fellowship
that we so enjoy with one another .
Looking forward
One casualty of COVID - 19, which I am sad to report, is that Rachael Newman, our Young
People and Family Worker will no longer be employed by the Circuit from the end of
February 2021. She has done a marvellous job to diversify her role since coming back to
the Circuit in September from furlough. Therefore, on behalf of the Circuit , I take this
opportunity of thanking Rachael for all that she has done and has tried to do in the year
that she has been in this role.
So, what to look forward to in 2021 as the Nene Valley Circuit?
The first thing that comes to mind is that work on the building for Hope Methodist
Church has at last begun. The builders have been very busy during November and early
December and it’s hoped that the work will be completed by the end of May 2021. How
wonderful it’s going to be to open the building once again so that Hope Church can
continue and grow its mission in Higham Ferrers and Rushden.
Another piece of good news regarding our buildings is that Earls Barton’s fire escape is
now complete and they are hop ing to begin the alterations to the inside of their building
later in the year.
With regard to the plans at Raunds , Rev’d Mike Langstaff has kindly offered to facilitate
the Church community in looking to what their mission is. Rev’d Mike says: ‘We have to
have a mission plan before we try to spend cash on the building. So, through preaching,
emails, letters and conversations we are asking ourselves, ‘What is God calling us to be and
do here in Raunds?’
As you may remember, Rev’d Kim offered, and has been accepted by the Circuit Meeting ,
to stay with us for a further five years . This year will see Rev’d Kim and Andrew move to
the Manse in Wellingborough . Rev’d Kim’s role will change a little in that she intends to
begin new work in the Wellingborough area which will not be connected with
Wellingborough Church but with the Circuit. It’s exciting new work she feels called to do .
I’m sure you will join with me in wishing her well in her endeavours to bring God’s
Kingdom in through different means other than traditional Church.
One thing we need to seriously begin to think about as a Circuit this year, is the call on us
to bring our Churches together under one Trusteeship. The Charity Commission, to
whom all Connexion is answerable, ha s said that The Methodist Church needs to slim
down the number of Trusteeships it has within the Connexion. Therefore, because we as
the Nene Valley Circuit are quite small compared to other Circuits , it seem s sensible to
bring all our Churches together under one Trusteeship. This is something I’ m putting my
thoughts to at present and of course nothing can or will be done until we, as a Circuit,
have discussed it and raised all queries regarding it, so that everyone, so far as we’re
able, understands why this has to be done and how it will work.
When I’ m able, it is my intention to visit all Churches across the Circuit to have
conversations with you concerning this but, because of the restrictions in place, this can’t
be done at present. This is a huge piece of work and will, in all likelihood, take a few
years to put in place but, I’ m sure, if done prayerfully and sensitively, will help pool our
resources, making the management of our administration, finance and buildings easier ,
thus freeing each Society for mission in their home communities. This is not, I repeat not,
about closing buildings, but it is about cohesion as a Circuit.
So, as the year 2020 comes to an end and the year 2021 begins: May the Lord bless you
and keep you ; M ay the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you and
m ay the Lord look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
Rev’d Lesley
Superintendent Minister
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