President of Conference Visits Circuit

May 10th 2009

Picture taken by David Lee

Mid May was a highlight of the Circuit year when we were honoured to welcome the President of Conference into our midst’s. Rev Stephen Poxon is touring the country as well as the world in his year in office.
Stephen came to Barton on the Thursday night as he was staying at Rev. Gillian’s for the weekend. It was great that he could then attend the prayer meeting at Goxhill that night. As well as events in the circuit he also attended other churches in the District. He visited Epworth and held prayers at one of the Wesley sites there.

On the Sunday following a service at a church in Lincoln Stephen came back to Barton to join in the Faith Tea held at Trinity. Stephen then gave a short talk which was followed by a question and answer session chaired by Anne Spalton. There were some very informed question from the floor including questions on Mapping The Way Forward and he explained how churches could decide if they would like to be more of a fellowship church which would involve less ministerial input or a Mission orientated church where the ministerial support would be focussed. There was also a question relating to the you in the church and their attendance at regular Sunday Services. Stephen explained that with all age groups the Sunday service was only one aspect of “church”. Youth fellowships, Bright Hour, Sisterhoods and all the other meetings and gatherings could be classed as church for some of the people. There were also other opportunities open to churches to get the good news of Jesus Christ to no Sunday church goers with Cafe Church which could be on any day or evening of the week and many other forms of worship which would introduce people to God in a less formalised way.

After the question and answer session everyone moved into the church where we were greeted by modern worship songs led by the group from Kirton. The service was introduced by Rev Gillian and Rev Barrie gave a children’s address. The President then presented Barrie with a gifts from the Circuit on his retirement. Amy and Andrew spoke about the two youth events which they had attended on behalf of the Circuit and gave details of how youth involvement was moving forward. The President then gave an excellent sermon on how each of us are part of the way forward of our church. How we all can be involved in bringing people to God. Along with impromptu singing he also was able to speak about many of the people he had met in his year of office and how they have influenced the faith in their community.

Joyce Phillips drew the service to a close leading us all into prayer. Everyone there was moved by the spiritual experience of the whole afternoon and evening. We sent Rev Poxon on his way with our best wishes for the rest of his time as President of Conference.

What the President says about his visit

My visit to the Lincoln & Grimsby District was a special time as I was able to stay with Gillian and David Belford. Gillian had been a probationer in the North Lancs district and it was a real joy to share their home and family life as well as glimpse something of the ministry they offer. One of the qualities of their ministry is the centrality of prayer and the first things she did on arriving as super in Barton & Brigg was to set up a weekly circuit prayer meeting. This was the first prayer meeting I have attended during the yea-r and there were over 40 people gathered (and they didn't even know I was coming!).

People spoke so passionately about how this weekly time of prayer has united the circuit, as they go from church to church, helped people get to know one another and put God in the centre of all they are seeking to do.

We had a good country chapel tea at the Barton church......David Perry and I got there just in time for a quick piece of cake before a question and answer session...but not before the photos were taken.

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and then a wonderful circuit service with children's talk, interviews of young people attending Youth Conference and the Emerging Leaders day, presentation to a supernumerary minister, Barrie Leah, who has been helping out in the circuit during a complex period, lots of singing, preaching and even a conga dance at the end.

As I left the District across the Humber Bridge I reflected on the good things I had seen and heard as well as the difficult situations where people were hanging in or trying to turn things around. Please uphold the people of the Lincoln and Grinmsby District as they seek to become fit for purpose and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.

Taken from his blog