Gloucester Methodists celebrate the past and rebrand for the future
(News release Sunday 13th July 08)

History will be made, even repeating itself, on Sunday night (13th July) when congregations from the 11 churches of the Gloucester Methodist Circuit meet together for the final time under that name at a special service of Celebration and Thanksgiving at St. John's Northgate Methodist Church in the City Centre.

As from 1st September 08 the Gloucester Methodist area becomes part of new Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit, with 49 congregations from across the Forest of Dean, Stroud and Dursley, Tewkesbury & Cheltenham, and Cirencester Methodist areas.

But it's not the first time that Gloucestershire Methodists have had a county wide administrative area. In 1795, because of church growth, the Gloucester Circuit was born out of the then county wide area.

Senior Steward for Gloucester Methodists Mike Haines says, "The new arrangement under the leadership of the Rev'd John James aims to bring together resources and new ideas for work in the community. Instead of being five seperate areas we now have one voice, making it easier for people to identify the Methodist Church in Gloucestershire. It also helps the Methodist Church to create better working practices and links with other county agencies and organisations."

The service at St. John's Northgate Methodist Church (6.30pm) will also say a warm thank you and a fond farewell to the Rev'd Ann Sherrett, the outgoing Superintendent Minister of the Gloucester Methodist Circuit, who is retiring and moving to Yorkshire.

A former civil servant, Ann entered the Methodist Ministry in 1988. Before coming to Gloucester in 2003 , her appointments included Bolton Central Hall, and Hartecliffe Bristol. During her time in Gloucester she has been Minister at Lonsdale Road, St.Luke's Stroud Road, and Northgate Methodist Churches. She is currently Minister at Quedgeley Methodist Church.

Thank you's will also be said to Rev Dr. Simon Topping who also came to Gloucester in 2003. He has served Hucclecote and Barton Street Methodist Churches and the ecumenical partnership at Newent St. Mary's.

Although staying in Gloucestershire, Simon's ministry is changing course and he will be working part time as Social Responsibility Adviser for the Churches in Swindon. As a member of the Hucclecote based Green Cross co-operative, Simon will still be seen pedalling his giant cargo trike around Gloucester, delivering shopping and Ecover refills. He says, " The Green Cross co-op is an experiment which involves Christians working together in business and I will be trying to develop the customer base". ENDS

Media Contact: Mike Haines - Senior Circuit Steward Gloucester Methodist Circuit. Tel 01452 520 250

Issued by Dave Bennett - Media Officer Gloucester Methodist Circuit Tel 01452 532 221 or 07952 372 132