NWED Update July 2024

New appointments

The North West England District is delighted to announce the appointment of two new District Safeguarding Officers. Jack Watson will start on September 2nd and will cover Lancashire. Julie Paterson started on July 22nd and will cover Cumbria.
 
Rev Jackie Bellfield, the Chair of the Interview Panel, said, “We are thrilled to welcome both Julie and Jack to the NWED Safeguarding Team. They both bring great skills and enthusiasm into these roles which will enable the further flourishing of the team.”
 
If anyone in Lancashire has a concern about a safeguarding issue before the beginning of September, they can contact either:
 
Helen Bolton mands@dso.methodist.org.uk or
Christine Kennedy kennedyc@methodistchurch.org.uk

Equip Series – The recording of the fifth session is now available to watch: 

Our final Equip event will be on Wed 14 August 2024.

To Join: https://zoom.us/j/94658927054?pwd=ZmNKUGl3SWdIeXJsckZyZW5tT3MrZz09  (Meeting ID: 946 5892 7054 Passcode: 125750) 

To access via phone dial 0203 481 5237 or 0203 481 5240 and follow prompts

Launch Event – Saturday 31st August 2024

North West England District – Launch Event at The Victoria Hall, Bolton event tickets from TicketSource Please book your tickets in advance.

This event is an opportunity to celebrate as five districts become one, to form the North West England District. Starting at 2.30pm, the event will include the welcome service for Rev. Dr. James Tebbutt, our District Chair (subject to Methodist Conference), and will also welcome the wider District Team. The President of Conference will be preaching, along with the Vice-President and Secretary of Conference in attendance.

To be held at Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton, BL1 2AS. A flyer is attached for circulation. 

This service will be livestreamed, and further details will be sent round mid-August. 

Jeremiah 29:11, says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We give thanks for the plans that God has for us in this new District!

Reminder of the following:

Facebook: The North West England District is now on Facebook 

Please do take a look, like it, follow it, and ask churches and circuits to include in their own church Facebook pages. Thank you. 

Call to Action – Do you have a story of mission happening in your context? We would love to hear from you! Let us know about it at nwedcommunication@outlook.com

Appointment of a District Secretary for the North West England District of the Methodist Church

The Regional Review Group is pleased to announce that, following advertisement and interview, Ms Heather Fergusson has been appointed as the District Secretary for Administration and Compliance in the merged North West England District of the Methodist Church from 1st September 2024.  This is one of the three most senior leadership roles in the new District.  Heather is based in the North West and has a professional background in Local Authority management, before in recent years working as Head of Projects (Strategy and Delivery) for a high performing Multi-Academy Trust that operates a diverse network of primary and secondary schools.

The Revd Dr James Tebbutt, Nominated Chair of the North West England District, said: “I am delighted that Heather is joining the new District: she brings a wealth of interpersonal and administrative skills, and leadership experience of several areas for which she will have responsibility in the new District structure.  Heather offers a vocational understanding and commitment to the purposes and values of the new District, and we very much look forward to working with her in encouraging and guiding the new District.”

Heather responded to her appointment by saying:  “I am honoured to have been chosen for this role.  Under God’s direction, I am looking forward to using my skills and knowledge to help lead the new District in a transformative and collaborative way.”  A video conversation introducing Heather will be available in due course.

Expressions of Interest – Please click here to go the vacancies page for the expression of interest forms for the North West England District. 

Autumn Synod for the NWE District – Saturday 14th September 2024

More details about this will come to DPC meetings and Spring Synods regarding the Constitution of the new Synod and the arrangements. 

If you have any queries or comments, please do email nwedcommunication@outlook.com