After much planning, September marks the beginning of the Winchester & Eastleigh Circuit. A Circuit is a grouping of Methodist churches and ecumenical partnerships, working together for mission and service in the name of Christ. We have been encouraged to make this change by the wider Methodist church, to enable resources to be used more effectively, providing greater opportunities for witnessing to the gospel.

The reality is, mission is delivered locally by the people of the churches, often ecumenically; so our circuit ‘Mission Statement’ reads: ‘The Circuit mission is to inspire its people to be a discipleship movement within their local communities, who spread God’s message of love through word and action.’ Aware that creating a new entity is challenging, our vision is that ‘as part of the wider Christian church, we aim to: give people a sense of belonging, encourage the growth of God’s kingdom, and enable the people of God to respond to the needs of others.’ I hope that, in time, people will say yes, we belong to the Winchester & Eastleigh Circuit; through the faith of different preachers, through a scheme to link churches together in prayer, through an initiative to explore fresh ways of being the church and relating to others. As we develop a sense of belonging, I pray that we will experience growth and respond to others. The new Circuit has been established with some very hard work by the staff and officers of the two former Circuits, for which they are to be commended.

Change is not for its own sake, but taking the opportunity to try something new, support one another, share gifts and resources across a larger team, review the way the circuit is managed and consider, once again, what is our vision. If we are to be a discipleship movement, spreading God’s message of love in our local communities, Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end (Hebrews 12: 2).

In Christian fellowship,

Peter