News from Circuits and Churches
Droitwich Spa Methodist Church: Whole Wide World! (September 2026)
At Droitwich Spa Methodist Church we run Messy Church sessions throughout the year. Once a month we run a Messy Church session called Rise & Shine which is at 9am on Sunday morning, we usually have 10-20 children attending this. We also run 4 bigger Messy Church sessions each year and these have up to 60 children attending. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers who are always enthusiastic!
In addition to this, this year we wanted to try something different. A 2 day Messy Church event during the summer holidays. We met on Thursday and Friday 9.30-12 and also had a big celebration on the following Sunday with the whole church congregation joining in!
Each morning started with the opportunity to add to the Messy Church chalk wall as you came into church. This was looking very colourful by the time everyone had added their name and picture!
While everyone was arriving we worked together to make a big picture that we added to each day.
Once everyone had arrived we went into the church space to hear the bible story, watch the puppets and sing some songs! The theme for this special Messy Church was ‘Whole Wide World’ and we learnt all about the story of creation.
Children then split up into groups depending on their age for activities and crafts. We always had a small play area option available for those with younger children. Craft activities included binoculars (can you see what God has made?), planet pictures, clay modelling, making bird feeders and planting. As part of the creation theme, we were thinking about what we could do to care for God’s world.
We also went into the church gardens to look around, complete a trail and ask the church eco team lots of questions! The Bug Hotel was very popular!
We then all met together again in church to show and talk about what we had made in our groups. This time always included more singing. The church band played and we used the same songs each day so that the children would recognise them. Children joined in with actions and percussion!
Parachute games were enjoyed by all.
Both sessions were fully booked. We don’t always require pre booking, but as we were preparing age appropriate activities for different groups, we thought that it was important this time.
It was wonderful to all join together on Sunday morning where we enjoyed more games, crafts and breakfast together. A fun time was had by all and we are already planning next year’s Holiday Messy Church!
Sarah Jessop – Family Worker
Telford Circuit Superintendent announced as the Moderator of the Board of Trustees for CTBI
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Dr Adrian Burdon as the new Moderator of its Board of Trustees, succeeding the Revd Canon Graham Sparkes, who has served as Moderator since September 2020.
Adrian has been a presbyter in the Methodist Church in Britain since 1988 and brings extensive experience of ministry, mission and ecumenical work. He has served in a range of appointments in the UK and overseas, including as a Mission Partner in the Kingdom of Tonga, where he was Principal of the Methodist Theological College. He has also held several national roles within the Methodist Church in Britain and has chaired the CTBI Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Writers' Group since 2016.
“I am delighted to take on the role of Moderator of CTBI. CTBI’s theological vision and ethos, rooted in our calling to be an inclusive, justice seeking Church, resonate deeply with my own understanding of the Church as an ordained minister in the Methodist Church in Britain. At a time when many people are pushed to the margins, silenced or treated as ‘other’, CTBI’s work to ensure that everyone has a place at the table and that every voice is heard is both vital and prophetic. This is not an optional extra; it is the work of the Gospel, reflecting the ways of a just God.
“I look forward to working with CTBI’s many partners across the four nations and across the breadth of our churches. I also pay tribute to my immediate predecessor, the Revd Dr Graham Sparkes. During his six years as Moderator, he brought substance and stability to CTBI’s work, while his strategic leadership established ways of working that embody our shared commitment to inclusion and justice. I am grateful for his gracious support during this transition and look forward to building on all that he has achieved.”
- Revd Dr Adrian Burdon -
Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary of CTBI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adrian as our new Moderator. His breadth of experience, from parish and circuit ministry to mission service overseas and national leadership roles within the Methodist Church, will be of enormous value to CTBI as we continue our work for unity, peace and social justice across Britain and Ireland. We are deeply grateful to our outgoing Moderator Graham for his years of wise and generous leadership, supporting and promoting effective collaboration between staff and trustees as a foundation for sustained and strategic engagement with our membership across all the jurisdictions in which we work.”
Adrian will chair the CTBI Board of Trustees as it continues to support and coordinate ecumenical work across the four nations, bringing together member churches and ecumenical bodies to promote collaboration, mission and justice. He takes up the role from 21 September 2026.
Hidden River Circuit: Bringing Our Two Circuits Together (July 2026)
"What shall we do to bring our two (former) circuits together?"
"A coach trip to the seaside," I jokingly suggested.
"That's a great idea," said our superintendent, Rev Gary, "and I know exactly where we could go – my family's hometown of St Annes."
The date of July 11th was agreed by the circuit stewards, and a 53-seater coach was duly booked.
Within two weeks, every seat had been reserved, which was fantastic. However, there were still another 20 people who wanted to come. Because of the fuel crisis, it proved very difficult to find another coach.
Eventually, after many phone calls, I managed to secure a second coach – a 35-seater. Once that was arranged, everyone was allocated a seat and their preferred pick-up point.
On the day, around 80 adults and children set off, armed with maps, picnic lunches, buckets and spades, and footballs, all looking forward to a day at the seaside.
We arrived safely at Church Road Methodist Church in St Annes, thanks to our walking sat nav, Rev Gary! We arrived just after the carnival procession had passed by, despite the many road closures it had caused.
We received a wonderfully warm welcome from the church members, who kindly provided refreshments and opened the church so that everyone could use the facilities.
Some people got back on the coach to be taken to the seafront, while others chose to enjoy the walk.
Although it was an extremely hot day, everyone made the most of their time. Many spent the day on the beach, including a few children who had never seen the seaside before. Others found welcome shade beneath the pier.
Some sampled the fish and chips, which I'm told were excellent, while others strolled along the pier or found a cool spot to sit and enjoy an impressive selection of ice creams.
The carnival celebrations were centred around Ashton Gardens, with a funfair, stalls, and entertainment throughout the day. Several dance groups also performed in the streets, so there was plenty to see and enjoy.
An hour before we were due to leave, we were invited back to the church, where we were once again welcomed with refreshments, including a delicious selection of homemade cakes.
There was plenty of time to chat and get to know one another. Members of both circuits mixed together, many meeting or speaking to each other for the very first time.
It was wonderful to see our wider church family coming together. There were people who lived alone and appreciated the companionship, several vulnerable adults who attended with their carers, and members from across our newly formed Hidden River Circuit. It was a joy to see everyone enjoying themselves and sharing such a happy day.
We left St Annes hot, tired, and very happy, determined to maintain the link with this wonderfully welcoming church.
As we headed home, the question on everyone's lips was:
"When's the next one?"
Rob Whitehouse, Senior Circuit Steward, Hidden River Circuit
Tamworth and Lichfield Circuit: Fun in the Sun (June 2026)
Leyfields families joined in a massive day of celebration at St. Andrew’s Street Party in June. The event, to celebrate 60 years of the Thackeray Drive church, was highly successful with attendees enjoying a range of activities from the stalls around the garden. We had: Rainbows and Brownies; St John's Ambulance; Rooted Community Church; Tamworth Family Hub; Tamworth Castle; St Andrew's Methodist Church; Fairtrade; and The Jo Cox Foundation.
Entertainment included Jemma and Emily the “Show Girls” – An Abba tribute act, The Rock Choir and many more. Children got their faces painted and got stuck in to a range of craft activities. Drinks and cakes were available indoors served by Rooted Community Church, as well as indoor entertainment including two organ recitals. The whole day was filled with joy and community spirit!
Living Hope for Creation: Black Country Methodist Circuit Celebration Day 20 June 2026
Our Black Country Methodist Circuit Celebration Day, Living Hope for Creation, brought together people of all ages across the circuit for a day filled with worship, learning, creativity and community. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout, with churches coming together to celebrate our faith and explore what it means to care for God’s creation.
The day began with worship that centred on God’s love for the whole creation and our calling to be faithful stewards. Throughout the day there was a real sense of hope, curiosity, and enthusiasm as people took part in a wider range of activities.
We were delighted to welcome Helen Stephens from A Rocha UK, whose keynote talk encouraged us to reflect on the environmental challenges we face while reminding us that Christian hope is active, practical and rooted in God’s promises. The presentation was both thought-provoking and challenging, prompting conversations that continued after the session has ended.
People had the opportunity to engage in Bible conversation, a science workshop, creative crafting and hymn writing, while our marketplace offered plenty to explore including Fairtrade products, book and jigsaw swaps, plant and seed exchanges, food bank donations, and practical energy advice with Green Doctors. It was encouraging to see so many people sharing ideas, learning from one another, and discovering simple ways to make a difference.
One of the greatest joys of the day was its inclusive atmosphere. There was genuinely something for everyone, regardless of age or experience, and it was a pleasure to see people chatting across churches, trying new activities, and encouraging one another.
During the afternoon worship, I was able to share the wonderful news that the Black Country Circuit has been awarded Eco Circuit status by A Rocha UK. It was a moment of real celebration, recognising the commitment of churches and our circuit to care for creation as an integral part of everything we do. The announcement was warmly received and provided fresh encouragement to continue this important work together.
As people left, there was a real sense that this was not simply a one-day event but the continuation of a journey. It provided inspiration to continue conversations alive within our churches.
We are grateful to everyone who helped organise the day, led activities, staffed the marketplace and came with open hearts and minds. Special thanks again to Helen Stephens from A Rocha UK for inspiring and encouraging us.
A wonderful day of celebration, challenge, encouragement and hope.
Stephen Allen – Environmental Lead, Black-Country Methodist Circuit
Beckminster Methodist Church 1926-2026 (June 2026)
This year, Beckminster Methodist Church is celebrating 100 years of witness, worship and service to our community, to the various circuits and districts we have been part of.
During the course of our Centenary Year, we decided to stage a series of events which enabled us both to look back on a glorious past and to look forward into an uncertain future. Beckminster has been a thriving, popular church, boasting, in the 1970’s, the second largest membership in the Connexion. Now, with just over 100 members, we remain a committed worshipping community which is home to many outside organisations, the administrative centre of Wolverhampton Circuit and Wolverhampton Inter-Faith; we also provide a hub for Wolverhampton Fair Trade.
Before the year began, members of our Craft Group had produced a beautiful board, commemorating 100 years of Worship and Service, which is fixed proudly in the sanctuary for all to see. Around the Church Hall visitors can see world events in the decades since the church was built. A commemorative plaque has been donated by a local funeral director, which is fixed by the Church Entrance close to the blue plaque commemorating the life and service of Rev Brian O’ Gorman, Conference President 1969-70, who worshipped here until his death.
In planning our year we chose to invite preachers who had been influenced by Beckminster in their younger years and then pursued careers here in Wolverhampton or elsewhere. Some became presbyters, not all; some remained resident here; some are now in other areas of Britain; one lives in Norway and another in Canada. So far, we have been moved and inspired by the messages they have brought and their personal testimony to the influence of Junior Church, Questors Youth Club or individual members of Beckminster in their spiritual journey. We also were fortunate enough to host the President of Conference on a Sunday in May: he preached to a congregation consisting of members from the 4 churches in our hub, plus another local Methodist Church, whilst members of another church in our Circuit took advantage of our live stream to use it for their morning worship. This was followed by a Bring and Share Lunch, enabling members to enjoy further fellowship with not only Rev. Richard Andrew but also the two joint District Chairs for our new enlarged West Midland District. Our Centenary Weekend recently comprised a community event on the Saturday and on Sunday morning our worship was led by our splendid minister, Rev Paul Nzacahayo, followed by a hot meal in the Church Hall. On Centenary Day itself, Wednesday 10th June, a short service was held in church at 10am, led by our minister, followed by refreshments including birthday cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday Beckminster” led by our long-standing organist Johnny Pearson.
Of course there have been other events. In late March we invited as many guests as we could to a service followed by a tea for all who had been married at Beckminster over the years. Almost 150 people were delighted to come and join in a celebration of an event which in some cases was relatively recent but in other cases happened many years ago. Once again, we had guests from all parts of the UK. On Saturday 20th June we are having an organ recital when the community is invited to join us in enjoying the sound of our excellent organ. Later in the year we shall participate in Wolverhampton Heritage Day and engage in a local Treasure Hunt. On two occasions we have displayed publicly many items from our considerable archive for all to examine, stimulating enormous interest.
We have also attempted to raise funds to improve the condition of our premises, through re-decoration, improving A/V technology, re-flooring church hall and coffee bar and updating toilet facilities. Initially we had hoped for contributions from Circuit and District on the condition that we raised roughly one third of the cost ourselves. In the event, we have already completed re-flooring and A/V improvements, raised funds through our Centenary Appeal amounting to £36,000, completed bids to various possible benefactors and remain hopeful that many of our plans will come to fruition.
Our Centenary Year has been faithfully recorded, with ample illustrations, in a blog which has been lovingly compiled by Graham Lloyd, one of our members, and is available for all to see. Of course, it is not yet fully complete: the year is still in progress. We look forward to more visiting preachers who will teach us more about the Beckminster that was and , we hope, point us towards a future that is to come. It will end, officially, in December when our District Chair, Rev Rachel Deigh, will lead our morning worship.
We are, at Beckminster, so grateful for all that is past, but we are also keen to share in the future of Methodism in Wolverhampton and beyond. We formed a Hub by the name of Crossways Methodist Church and are proud to have joined successfully with our neighbouring Methodist churches at Springdale, Wombourne and Cranmer. In the Circuit we are already exploring possibilities in the next decade. One of our longstanding House Groups was named “Open Way” and we remain, as always, open to new ideas, new expressions of Faith and a future in which “we trust Him for all that’s to come”.
John Ashwood – Steward