East Norfolk Methodist Circuit welcomes their new Ministers

 

A service took place on Thursday 1^st September at Christchurch in Great Yarmouth to welcome two new ministers. The Rev Andrew Fielding  from London who will be the new Minister for Newtown and Caister-on-Sea and the Rev Steven Cullis from Wootton Bassett he will minister to the Methodist churches in Acle, Halvergate, Freethorpe and Lingwood.

 

 

Rev Chris Shreeve began the service with a warm welcome to the Chairman, Rev Graham Thompson, and to the two new Ministers. He also welcomed everyone in the congregation including those of us who belong to different denominations which made us feel quite at home. Sadly, Rev Shreeve, will no longer be a Superintendant in the circuit as he will be preparing for complete retirement. In conversation he said that he would like to spend the next two years giving his time to the people in his churches. Rev Shreeve has dedicated many years of devotion and hard work in the circuit. I am certain that the Lord has blessed him richly and will continue to do so. The two new ministers were introduced to the congregation and they each gave a short talk.

                              Rev Chris Shreeve

 

 

The evening commenced with the hymn ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’. The congregation sang it with great gusto, (I think my husband was trying to sing the descant!).

 

Rev Betty Trinder gave a heartfelt prayer and the congregation followed in agreement by their verbal responses. The service continued with hymns and readings from the Bible - 1 Chronicles 21 14-27 which speaks about David’s disobedience in counting his soldiers even though God told him not to. The consequence being he lost   70,000 men to a pestilence. He asked God to punish him and not the people.. Romans 12: 1-13 talks about self sacrifice which involved selling and giving up possessions for something better. Matthew 13: 44 – 46; 51-54  talks about the parable regarding treasure hidden in the ground until someone found it and sold all that he had to buy the field. Rev Graham Thompson, Chair, gave a thought provoking sermon based on these Bible readings.

  

 

 

Steve and Andrew came forward to receive their welcome from the Rev Graham Thompson and to repeat their promises. Miss Jane Mackay, who is the Senior Circuit Steward, asked the people if they would offer them friendship, support and prayers as they do the work that God has called them to do and they replied by repeating “With God’s help, we will”. The two new Ministers each replied giving their thanks and promises to work with and to pray for them.

 

 

Members of the circuit, ecumenical representatives, civic leaders, and other appropriate persons who were invited by Rev Shreeve came forward to offer there welcomes and blessings.

 

 

The service came to an end by celebrating Holy Communion. The bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ when He made that supreme sacrifice to save mankind. An invitation to participate was given to those who were of other denominations which created a wonderful feeling of closeness. 

 Brenda Searle                     

 

           

We go into the world in the power of the Spirit to fulfil our high calling as Servants of Christ. The congregation replied.