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“Sharing God’s Love”

“As God’s people we seek to work together to celebrate and share God’s love in Christ for all”.

As ever it has been another exciting and challenging year for us all in the Bradford South Circuit: exciting as is attested to by the reports found herein, challenging due in no small part to the Coronavirus pandemic and the impact it has had on our everyday lives. With the country going into ‘lockdown’ on March 23[rd] 2020 all our church buildings were closed and normal activities were suspended.

One of the challenges we faced, successfully, was to continue to provide opportunity to worship and ‘stay connected’ using online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, our website and Youtube, providing hard copies of texts to those who were not able to access the material on line.

As a circuit we serve a diversity of communities within the city, from social housing estates to communities on the margins of the city who prefer to identify themselves as urban villages, to those where maintaining a Christian presence feels particularly challenging. By virtue of the pandemic and our online presence, our reach has stretched much further, even to other countries.

With Trinity (Manningham) relocating to Touchstone, we began the church year with 12 worshipping communities within the circuit. This includes 1@11, which is the Sunday Morning worship element of the St Arnold’s project. Our presence and work in the city centre continues to develop and grow, with new opportunities being explored as they arise. Rev Graeme Dutton’s report on St Arnold’s provides a more detailed account of all that has been achieved during the last year.

As we continue to strive to meet and serve the needs of all people throughout the circuit, regardless of age, CYG has continued to be an important group for a number of our young people. Having said this, CYG, like most things, closed very abruptly in March 2020. For the same reason (the pandemic) it was necessary for many of our annual activities including Holiday at Home to be cancelled, our primary concern being the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

In the midst of all this uncertainty and change, the annual report, as ever, bears witness to the fact that Bradford South Circuit continues to be blessed with people who have a diversity of gifts and talents, all of whom are encouraged and offered the opportunity to use them in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling, not only for the circuit and churches but for the individual also. This we do as an expression of our shared discipleship and mission, taking seriously our responsibility to use the resources we have wisely and responsibly, in a way that honours ourselves, all people, our world and God.

As challenging as all as this is, the people of Bradford South Methodist circuit never fail to remain faithful and hopeful, facing opportunity and change with the assurance that God continues to have plans for us and for the city in which we witness. And as we have been discovering during the pandemic, he equips us with all we need to continue to worship and witness to him in ways are that relevant to the changing times.

Rev Lyn Gregg Superintendent Minister

All we do as a circuit is within the beliefs and
practices of the Methodist Church.
Each person is created in the image of God.
All people are therefore valued and respected
regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability, cultural background or faith.
We are responsible, under God, for each other and our social, spiritual and personal needs.
All members of groups or churches should be allowed and enabled to participate in decision making, within the proper process.
We adhere to the United Nations rights of the child in our work with young people.
All should be kept safe from harm and it is the
responsibility of us all to work towards this together with particular attention to the requirements of the Methodist Church.
We respect and value the work of all, paid and
voluntary in the circuit.

Ministerial Staff

Revd. Lyn Gregg —Circuit Superintendent

Churches: Southfield Lane, Wibsey, Wyke

Revd. Graeme Dutton (half time in circuit and half time in City Centre ministry) Churches: Ebenezer (Dudley Hill), New Hey Road (East Bowling),

Revd. Albert Gayle

Churches: Aldersgate,(Low Moor), Clayton, Clayton Heights, Thornbury, Trinity (Manningham)

Revd. Sarah Jemison (part time minister)

Churches: Cornerstone, Horton Bank,

The support ministers across the circuit will be Revd. Lyn Gregg and Revd. Graeme Dutton

Lay Staff

Mrs. Alison Terrell– Circuit Administrator & Lay Pastoral Worker

Circuit Office

New Hey Road Methodist Church, Brompton Road, East Bowling, Bradford BD4 7HY

Tel: 01274 724321 Email: bradfordsouthcircuit@gmail.com

For more information about the Circuit, visit our website: www.bradfordsouthcircuit.wordpress.com

Core Opening Hours:

Tuesday, 1pm—3pm, Wednesday & Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm

This year has seen a change in leadership following the stepping down of Rosie and Dennis Watson, having completed their 6 years in office. Nancy Hare became Senior Steward and we welcomed Richard Walsh to the team.

During the first part of the year the bulk of our work has been to ensure that necessary manse repairs have been carried out, including the installation of a new kitchen at Snape Drive. This work is ongoing.

From May onwards we have been involved in the stationing process for the Rev Albert Gayle and the Rev Sarah Jemison and we look forward to a positive outcome.

We would like to thank the staff for their support, and in particular the Rev Lyn Gregg who has attended some of our meetings and has also given us guidance and advice.

Suzanne Allsop

Nancy says......

My term as a circuit steward is now over, with me serving as the senior steward during this last year. It has been a time of learning, laughing, surprises, much praying and, of course, a lot of cups of coffee.

One of the responsibilities of a circuit steward is to be responsible, with the Superintendent and the ministers and probationers appointed to the Circuit, for the spiritual and material well-being of the Circuit, and for upholding and acting upon the decisions of the Circuit Meeting Standing Order 531(1). One example of how we (as Circuit Stewards) have undertaken this responsibility is taking the lead on Stationing. A few years ago it was decided that we could do with another parttime minister who did not need a manse. A tall order, we thought, but we prayed about it and found it was an easy request for God. Along came Richard Oldroyd, offering us part-time service but wanting to live in his own home. Prayer answered.

Other surprises came in the various duties to be done, and in meeting other people in the wider connexion. Over the years I learnt a lot about how circuits and districts work, but much more than that I learnt to do Zoom meetings and Pray First by phone. This is thanks to Rev Graeme who was so patient with me at the start of lock down.

Many thanks go to my fellow stewards, Elizabeth, Suzanne, Joy and Richard, all of whom have been helpful and willing friends.

Love and God bless you all. Nancy Hare

P.S. If you feel you may be being called to serve God as a circuit steward in our circuit, please contact one of the current circuit stewards. They will be able to provide more details about the duties and responsibilities of the role and the process of selection

This report is written just after the financial year end, 31[st] August 2020. The accounts are complete but unaudited at this stage and show an excess of expenditure over income of about £70,000. This is in line with our budget for the year.

We reported last year of our intention to reserve half of the proceeds of the sale of Chapel Road (£27,000) for major manse projects. Since then we have installed a new kitchen at Snape Drive, refurbished the interior of Thorncroft Road, with exterior works still ongoing, and fitted new carpets at Mill House Rise. So far £14,500 has been spent and we continue to look at ways of putting the remainder to good use.

We are still dealing with the sale of Trinity Methodist Church but hope to have that sale completed by the end of September 2020. We have been able to help the finances at Trinity by covering the cost of insurance and asbestos surveys, whilst also allowing them a two quarter assessment holiday during the year 2019-20.

Assessments continue to be the main source of our circuit’s income, but equally the main source of concern, as churches close and others struggle to meet their assessments at the current level. We continue to offer our ‘pay what you can’ system for assessments and whilst most can cover their payments others struggle and will continue to do so, especially with the loss of income through this COVID19 lockdown. Suffice to say, the circuit is here to help any churches which find themselves in financial difficulties and are always open to conversations about the granting of financial help. We have recently helped Cornerstone with a short term loan, pending the sale of their cricket field, and have made the first of four annual loan payments to Leeds City Centre Mission.

Although the circuit continues to run a deficit budget, anticipated to be up to £90,000 in 2020-21, we have sufficient reserves to enable us to keep this under control in the short to medium term. Our major expense is stipends, but we continue to receive excellent and much-valued ministry from our presbyters and feel that our reserves are being well used in maintaining a strong and stable ordained staff team. We have just welcomed Rev Caroline Ryder and will be covering 25% of her stipend as she assists and encourages Trinity @ Touchstone, with the remainder of her time spent in the District role of Touchstone Team Leader. Alison Terrell continues as our only lay employee and supports the circuit through her administrative work at the Circuit Office, recently relocated to Clayton Methodist Church.

So balancing the books continues to be a challenge for churches and circuit alike. We will continue to ensure that the circuit budget is sound and underpinned by tight controls and sufficient reserves. Our longer term future may depend on difficult and courageous decisions having to be made as our circuit responds to present and future demands.

The Finance Team are always happy to discuss the finer detail and answer any questions relating to the circuit’s financial activity. We will be presenting the unaudited version of the income and expenditure at the forthcoming September Circuit Meeting. These will be fully audited by 31 December 2020 and presented to the March 2021 Circuit Meeting for approval.

As individual members of our various churches it’s important to remember that your contribution, whether financial, practical or spiritual, counts for a great deal and helps us to continue to do God’s work together. Our churches, our circuit and our mission may change over the coming years, but we must be ready to face up to these challenges positively and trust God to support us in everything we do.

Trevor Kershaw & Melanie Walsh, Circuit Finance Team

It’s been a difficult year for all trustees who have been involved in the management of our properties. Covid-19 has had a huge impact, both by enforcing the closure of our buildings for an extended period and by ensuring that the regular tasks we might undertake have been much more difficult and time consuming. My thanks go to all of you who have made regular trips to turn on taps, flush toilets, conduct checks and spent hours reading and interpreting various editions of guidelines and writing risk assessments. The pandemic has also led us to a place where a number of our congregations are considering their futures within their buildings. Many charities, businesses and clubs have decided to evaluate the ways in which they work and even exist and the churches within our circuit have certainly not been immune to those questions. As a circuit I would like us to be more aware of the challenges and opportunities that fellowships are now encountering. There may well be some very big changes ahead for both our local churches and our circuit as we consider the best use of our resources in order that we continue to make known the Gospel of Christ in our communities. The Circuit Leadership Team and Circuit Staff are committed to helping all our local churches consider the paths that lie before them. If you would like to talk to any of us about a concern or possibility regarding your church building please feel free to contact us.

Graeme Dutton

It has, once again, proved to be a challenge making the preaching plan this year. Churches are becoming more accustomed to managing a significant number of LCAs. As ever, they have risen to the challenge and (for the most part) have accepted them as the opportunity to explore new ways of working and worshipping, be that alone or with other circuit churches. There have been café-style services, Songs of Praise services, readers’ services and a significant number of services led by Worship Leaders.

For some churches LCAs have offered the opportunity to ‘visit’ other churches. This has not only solved the problem of not having a preacher on a Sunday, but has offered the chance to build relationships that may offer even more opportunities in the future. Preparing for the future, some churches are choosing to develop a real sense of partnership with neighbouring churches, changing something that began as a plan-directed necessity into something that seems more organic and Spirit-led.

The plan for the period May-August was prepared and was set to go to print on the point of the government putting the country on lockdown. As a result the plan for the period was covered by circuit staff plus a small number of local preachers and welcome visit from our Chair of District, Rev Kerry Tankard.

Rev Lyn Gregg

This year the leadership of CYG has been offered by John Marshall and Rev Lyn Gregg. Week by week we have followed topic-based themes on such things as friendship, charity, acting justly, generosity and power.

Having previously met as two groups (8-12yrs and 13-18yrs), this year we met as one group, meeting at Clayton Heights from 6.30pm-8.00pm on a Sunday during term time.

Numbers have dropped to just 4 regulars, these 4 enjoying the opportunity to meet for discussion and activities. In a new venue they have been resourceful in ‘inventing’ games that are more suited to the smaller space numbers, using a coat stand in place of a net. Other favourite games include dodge ball and Ninja.

A number of our young people attended 3Generate (the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly) in November 2019, and the online district event offered in July 2020.

The relationship between the youth of the Bradford North and Bradford South circuits has continued to deepen as they have met together for regular fellowship meetings throughout the year.

Next year will, undoubtedly, hold new challenges and opportunities for the group, not least as we discern a new venue and format going forward.

Rev Lyn Gregg

This has been an eventful year for the Circuit office. Unfortunately New Hey Road suffered two break- ins in the autumn and it became clear that the office would need to be moved. In the meantime I was working from home a lot more and went into the office when someone could be there with me.

After careful consideration it was decided that the room offered at Clayton was the most suitable space for the office and plans were made for the move. Nancy Hare, Christine Peacock and Suzanne Allsop came in at various times to help me to sort through papers and decide what needed to be archived and what could go. Then the Covid lockdown occurred and I was of course working from home like everyone else. With all the ministers also working from home it has felt as though we have been working together more closely. It has been very satisfying to be involved in all that has been done to connect people and sustain them spiritually during this difficult time.

We have now moved the office equipment to Clayton and will be working out over the next few weeks how best to arrange my working pattern between home and the office and the measures we need in place to reduce the risk of Covid.

Alison Terrell Circuit Administrator

During this year we have seen significant changes amongst those accredited as Local Preachers in our circuit. The number of accredited Local Preachers within our circuit currently stands at 21, with a further 2 preachers ‘on Trial’. Of the two who began the year ‘on trial’, one had successfully completed all the studies. The recommendation of the Local Preachers meeting that he be accredited was agreed by the March Circuit Meeting (which was held electronically as a result of the pandemic) and a service of accreditation was duly arranged. The service, which was planned for early April, was inevitably postponed due to the closure of all our churches in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. We await the opportunity to set a new date for this service.

We welcomed by transfer a Local Preacher from a neighbouring circuit who will focus on leading worship at St Arnold’s allowing Sunday Worship to be held more regularly in the city centre venues.

Of the 21 accredited preachers, 7 (either temporarily or permanently) had withdrawn from taking services prior to the pandemic.

We have had two losses during the year, one who has gone to glory and another who decided to resign membership of the Methodist Church.

With 12 churches (including St Arnold’s) the above figures mean we have 14 Local Preachers plus four ministers (some full time, some part-time) to take the 210+ services on a four month plan. Of these 210+, 202 are the morning services in our churches, 8 are the 1@11 services in the city centre and 4 are the evening services, there also being occasional ‘specials’.

We currently have no Local Preachers ‘on Note’, but if anyone feels they are being nudged towards becoming a Local Preacher or Worship Leader, please speak to someone about it. Who knows, you might be hearing a ‘call to preach’, and we would very much want to welcome and encourage you to test that calling.

Rev Lyn Gregg

We started the year meeting at Java Joes cafe every Wednesday morning at 9.30am, but like so many things, this quiet time of fellowship together became impossible after lock down. Graeme continued it live from his home on Facebook with a few people joining in by phone who do not use Facebook. Graeme went back to the cafe when it reopened but it continues on Facebook as people cannot meet together.

It remains a quiet space in the middle of the week to stop and be together in spirit if not in person. To turn to our loving God and pray for each other.

Alison Terrell, Circuit Administrator

When I first saw on Facebook that the Bradford South Circuit would be sharing a meditation each night in Holy Week, I thought that it would be something I might join. I must admit that I had not previously participated in a service every night of the week so this would be a new experience.

The services were generally between 20 and 25 minutes in length and each had its own style in terms of content and presentation – inevitably some had greater impact on me than others but that is very much down to personal preferences.

Credit is due to all those who were responsible for the presentation and technical input – Holy Week was in the relatively early days of the lockdown and everyone was on a steep learning curve. I would urge the Circuit Leadership team to give serious thought to another series of meditations next year.

John Robinson, District Treasurer

Alone on Easter Day

I don’t think I have had an Easter day without the family coming at some point for a roast dinner, so I knew this year was going to feel very different.

I had taken a few days off to work on my garden and was busy making a spiral in the centre using old stones from around the garden. By Saturday evening it was beginning to take shape and realising Sunday was going to be another lovely day I decided to get up for the early service and join from my garden complete with chiminea lit.

I got everything ready for the morning and was up at 5.45 with time to get dressed in warm clothes, make a cup of coffee and get the fire lit.

As I sat down and joined in the worship I became aware of how connected I felt to the reading of Mary alone in the garden meeting Jesus.

Our services on Easter day are usually bigger and noisier than usual, but Jesus didn’t appear to large crowds, he appeared to people alone or in small groups. My strange Easter Day took on special meaning.

Alison Terrell, Circuit Administrator

March 23rd 2020 had a profound effect on the people of the UK. STAY HOME STAY SAFE PROTECT THE NHS. Just one new thing we had to get our head around along with daily TV briefings, lockdown, Furlough, 2m distancing and queuing to name but a few. Here at Southfield Lane we adapted quickly by utilising our SFL WhatsApp group which we set up at the turn of the year. Was someone for-warning us?

Not everyone was a member but in no time we had introduced all but 5 of our congregation. The remaining five were not totally excluded as we turned to email, text and the good old telephone.

Our very first Communication came just ahead of Lockdown on 16/3/2020 and is recorded below.

Following Government advice it has been decided to POSTPONE the church meal this Saturday. A new date will be fixed as and when Government advice allows.

We still await that new date.

Our second communication followed the next day and here is an abridged version.

Hi all, in accordance with Methodist Church guidelines all our circuit churches will be closed until further notice. Let us continue to care and pray for one another and for those for whom this is having a catastrophic impact on their lives. God bless, Lyn x

People were shocked, unnerved, cautious and a little frightened. All reflected in our communications. We responded with care, jokes, prayers, words and pictures to comfort.

Then we decided to continue some of our church events. Easter saw photos of decorated crosses inside and outside of our homes. We held online afternoon teas, photographing and publishing our efforts however humble or grand. We had two such teas. Following Easter one of our members posted a daily picture and quote which set the scene each morning and continues today.

The men of the church continued their monthly breakfast club, posting their fry up efforts, cooked in the main by themselves but not all (you know who you are). Plus we had man banter.

Our Fellowship meetings were held via the Zoom App and the men held Wednesday quizzes via Face book messenger.

Our biggest successful challenge and the one giving us the most satisfaction was getting 3 of our more senior members linked up to our WhatsApp group.

We enjoyed and were sustained by all of these things but especially the services produced by the circuit team and available to view on various social media platforms.

Most recently we have conducted a congregation survey around reopening our church building and hope and optimism is now upon our WhatsApp page. Social media appears to have played a big part in sustaining our congregation thus far. Yet we all know it is just a very clever medium and the true sustainer is our Lord utilising all to hand and reaching us in new ways.

Ian Walmsley, Southfield Lane

During 2019/20 churches displayed 3 Gen’s eye-catching manifesto poster. They fulfilled the young people’s request to engage with the concerns raised in the manifesto by including it on their autumn Church Council agenda. In addition to encouraging the church to be creative in worship, we were urged to action: on homelessness, building relationships within our communities, supporting the lonely, creating safe spaces for people to listen to each other and in caring for the environment.

Individual church members have addressed these and other social justice issues through personal and church commitments: contributing to local food banks, letterwriting eg Amnesty International’s Christmas project, volunteering for, and donating to a plethora of charities, buying fairly traded goods, the list seems endless.

Since the beginning of 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic has dominated our lives and we have realised that in order to address the global emergency individual responses have been determined by national and international directives. The question has been posed: ‘will the lessons of the Covid 19 pandemic present a useful opportunity to build a greener, more sustainable future?’ For devastating as they have been, the effects of the current Covid 19 pandemic are dwarfed by those of the climate emergency which threatens the lives of millions.

Christians recognise that the continued use of fossil fuels is a major contributor to climate change, and investing in companies that promote and develop their use raises theological and ethical concerns. The Methodist Church is committed to ethical investment and for this reason set up the Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (JACEI) to advise the Central Finance Board (CFB). However, as individuals, churches and circuits, we also have an opportunity to influence decisions (ethical and otherwise) made by the Methodist Church at Conference each year.

This is done by sending a memorial to Conference. The circuit sent a memorial to Conference 2020 from the March Circuit Meeting. Briefly, the Memorial asked that ‘the Methodist Council oversees a process, in company with the Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (JACEI), with a view to issuing robust advice that the Methodist Church disinvest from oil and gas companies that have either failed to clearly set out plans to align with the Paris Agreement targets or have failed to agree to bring to an end exploration for and extraction of new fossil fuel reserves.’ The memorial was declined. However, Martha Rand – a Conference Representative from the Youth Assembly - brought a notice of motion requesting that JACEI recommend to the CFB disinvestment before the 2021 Conference from all oil and gas companies which are not currently aligned with the Paris Agreement target of a global temperature rise well below 2 degrees. Conference decided to refer this request to the Methodist Council for more detailed consideration.

It is becoming increasingly clear that in order to sustain God’s creation, Christians need to join with others to take decisive and urgent action. Disinvesting from fossil fuels is one such action. With this in mind, the CFB initiated the Epworth Climate Stewardship Fund for Charities in May 2020. ‘The Fund applies to all of CFB’s existing ethical policies and also excludes companies that derive more than 10% of revenues or profits from fossil fuel extraction. It also looks to invest in companies that positively contribute to the transition to a low carbon economy.’

This Fund provides an opportunity for local churches and circuits to invest in this fund and help protect Planet Earth.

Thank you to all those who are working towards a sustainable future and to all who are making the world a better place - a glimpse of the kingdom of God.

Sarah Jemison

BEACON works to a vision of Bradford district as a hospitable community where asylum seekers and refugees are welcome, enjoy access to justice and fair treatment and are supported on their journey to independence and integration.

The plight of asylum seekers: fact or fiction, truth or lie?

In addition to BEACON’s four projects: McKenzie Friends, Hosting, CHAT Conversation Club and CHAT Phoenix House, an important strand of our work is to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers.

In 2019, BEACON highlighted and supported the “Lift the Ban” campaign – lobbying for the right to work whilst people awaited the outcome of their asylum applications. With the release of a new report, ‘Lift the ban: why giving people seeking asylum the right to work is common sense’ at the beginning of August 2020, BEACON renewed its support to the continuing campaign.

The report shows that a policy change would help asylum seekers by:

Strengthening people’s chances of being able to integrate into their new communities

Allowing people seeking asylum to live in dignity and to provide for themselves and their families

Giving people the opportunity to use their skills and make the most of their potential Improving the mental health of people in the asylum system

Helping to challenge forced labour, exploitation, and modern slavery

In addition, the report demonstrates how a change in policy could benefit the UK economy, through net gains for the Government of around £100 million per year. It also presents

evidence to show that a change in policy would be popular amongst the UK public, with 71% agreeing that people seeking asylum should be allowed to work.

Underpinning the report is the belief that people who have risked everything to find safety should have the best chance possible of contributing to our society and integrating into their new communities. ‘As the UK seeks to build back better from Covid-19 and protect itself from the consequences of an unprecedented economic crisis, lifting restrictions on the right to work for people seeking asylum would both ensure the UK benefits from the expertise of a diverse workforce and provide significant savings for the public purse. In other words, lifting the ban is common sense.’

The need to counter hostility with hospitality.

At the time of writing this report, desperate people, a significant number of whom are unaccompanied children and young people, are attempting the perilous journey across the English Channel. The occupants of the fragile crafts have fled the world’s war-torn regions: Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria. The dangerous crossing is a risk deemed worth taking in a bid to find sanctuary and safety to build a new life. It is neither ‘stupid’ nor criminal’. (If you’re not safe in your own country then you have the

right to seek protection in another.) Slightly over 4,000 people have made the perilous Channel voyage: this is not an invasion nor is the most numerous crossing. According to the UN refugee agency, so far in 2020, there have been 14,288 sea arrivals in Italy, 10,198 in Spain and 8,405 in Greece.

Of the 36,000 asylum applications made in 2019, Home Office data shows that the vast majority arrived in the UK by other means, rather than small boat crossings over the Channel.

People seeking sanctuary are not a problem! They are fleeing problems of persecution, political unrest, bloody conflicts and genocide. Stephen Hale, the chief executive of Refugee Action, affirmed that Britain has a proud history of welcoming people fleeing some of the most violent and oppressive regimes in the world and we can’t stop now.

BEACON is greatly blessed by dedicated workers, volunteers and trustees.

Our amazing team of workers have kept all, but one, of our projects going through the prolonged Co-vid 19 lockdown. Unavoidably, CHAT Phoenix House Project closed and the co-ordinator was furloughed because the Courts were not operating. It is uncertain, with changes to the way the Courts operate, as to how this project may develop. CHAT Conversation Club has continued with the use of telephone and zoom, destitute asylum seekers have been hosted and McKenzie Friends have now adapted, supporting clients to submit online evidence and submissions.

Working ecumenically, with people of faith and no faith, BEACON is committed to ‘welcoming the stranger’. Each person is a child of God, made in God’s image. Through our care for those most vulnerable, we are welcoming Christ.

So thank you to the Circuit and all of you who support BEACON in so many different ways. Please continue to pray for our work, our workers and volunteers and most importantly for those we are seeking to support in their quest for safety and justice.

Sarah Jemison (Chair of BEACON)

One of the things we are good at as a church is pastoral care. We have always had a proud tradition of social justice and concern for the wellbeing of people in need. This is not only evidenced in our church, but extends into care homes, hospitals and other institutions. During lockdown this has been challenging and distressing for Ministers who have been frustrated as we could only do our work in a limited way. We have been prevented from going into care homes and hospitals for obvious reasons. We have found that hard. We have felt the pain and distress of families and friends who have not been able to see loved ones.

Of course we recognise that our care homes have done the best that they could under difficult and challenging circumstances.

The front line workers, nurses, carers, cleaners, maintenance workers, chefs, volunteers and many more put themselves at our disposal to protect us and the most vulnerable even at risk to themselves.

Fortunately, the care home in which Revd Sarah Jemison and I provide a Christian service each month escaped the impact of coronavirus. When I telephoned they told me that they were all right and that no one had succumbed to Covid-19, but that they are looking forward to the next few weeks when we can again return to be alongside them in a ministry of song, prayer, story and worship.

Prayer

God who reaches out to the weak, the vulnerable, the confused and the needy, come to us and enable us to sense your presence and your love.

As we go through a time of anxiety and fear, give us reassurance and hope.

We thank you for those who care for us even to the extent of putting themselves at risk to improve our quality of life. We pray for those who change our bed, who feed us, and wash our feet. We pray for those who bring healing and sit with those who’re dying to bring comfort and strength to ease the journey. We pray for those who are afraid and need peace.

God, come close to us, to family and friends and help us all to sense your presence and your love through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave us the prayer to say when we pray. Our Father….

Revd. Albert Gayle

Following last year's report we were able to celebrate another wonderful service of 9 Lessons and Carols with the Gateway Care Home as part of our pattern of worship with the community there. As many of you will already know, some of the residents at the home were members of a church within our circuit, so being able to continue in Methodist worship on a Sunday morning after their move was greatly appreciated. Members from the congregation at NHR had made a number of new friends amongst the residents and staff often spoke to me about how they appreciated our input to the spiritual life of the home.

Obviously, since the onset of the pandemic, we have not been able to meet at Gateway and it seems very unlikely that situation will change any time soon. I am still in regular contact with a number of people from the home and often bump into the owner and manager when I am broadcasting Pray First from Java Joe. I do know that they used the recorded services for Holy Week and Easter Day, connecting a laptop to one of the big TVs in the lounge, so that residents could worship together with us. I believe they are still, on occasion, setting up the laptop on a Sunday morning for those who would like to watch.

Graeme Dutton

Another year has passed and we entered 2020 and what a year it has been so far!

With the usual start to the year at Rowanberries we soon started to hear whispers of Covid 19 and plans that were made and booked into the diary had to be changed.

And so since March Rowanberries has been in lockdown, residents have been mostly confined to their own flats, and only essential visitors allowed into the scheme. All activities and church services were stopped as communal areas were closed down. And amidst news of the virus taking hold in care homes across the country so began an anxious time for both residents and staff.

Thanks need to go to our amazing staff team who have worked hard to keep residents and their own families safe, going the extra mile to cover staff shortages, whilst taking on extra responsibilities delivering shopping, newspapers, post etc whilst trying to allay the fears of those we care for, alongside concern for children and other family members.

Isolation, boredom and loneliness have been a big concern for many of our residents who have been used to mixing with others in communal lounges. Our thanks go to the team who have sent church services that have been printed and distributed to those who requested them, and along with bunker bingo (bingo cards sent to flats with numbers advised daily) a quiz league and daily sheets of reading material we have attempted to keep spirits up. We missed out on many birthday parties that had been planned, as well as our VE weekend, which was marked by delivering picnic teas to all flats, with the promise that once we can return to some kind of normality we will celebrate as planned with party and entertainment.

Slowly we have begun to emerge from lockdown. First with family visits either side of a window, then visits outside, and now we have reached a point where family and friends can visit within guidelines which have been set to ensure residents continue to be as safe as possible.

To this point we are grateful to say that staff and residents have been, and continue to be, Covid free, and daily we continue to work towards keeping Rowanberries safe.

We look forward to the day when once again we can open our doors to all and activities and services can recommence.

Dawn Harris Chaplain

Extending the reach of God’s love:

As Christians we are called to take the love of God beyond the church walls into the community. I was very pleased therefore when the opportunity came for me to be more involved in local Schools, particularly in Low Moor. It is good to be able to be to engage with children and teachers in meaningful ways.

One of the things which struck me as I entered Low Moor school was the warmth, the welcome and the atmosphere. Those who have been doing this work for some time have set the tone and we’re building on and extending their work. It’s good that you encourage and strengthen the work of God in this way.

‘Open the Book,’ which is set in the context of Bible stories, gives opportunities for children to develop ethically, morally and spiritually. It is a brilliant way to help children navigate their way through life. Teachers and children act out the story which is usually narrated by the Minister while the assembled group listen and observe. They are very attentive. Usually Mrs Broadbent, the head teacher, would reinforce the point being made in the story and apply it to the school context.

At Hilltop School the Head, Des Martin, is not yet engaged with Open the Book, as they continue to follow a more thematic series of worship based upon the fruits of the Spirit, but you never know as there’s much planning behind the scenes to enable a richer spiritual experience for the children and staff.

During lockdown I was pleased to be invited to the Zoom get together at Low Moor C of E School. The children sang together and it was a way of seeing everyone to signal encouragement and support.

As well as the Revd Lyn Gregg, Graeme Dutton and myself there are also Beverley and Jenny Hardy and Mary and Geoff Twentyman who are involved in Low Moor School, but the Ministers’ work goes beyond to other schools as well.

Graeme, I know, also does work in St John’s Primary School in Bierley.

Lyn goes in to Wibsey to lead assemblies and is also involved in other events when invited to do so.

Sometimes as Ministers we get invited to provide input into schools outside our patch because our grandchildren go to a particular school. At Easter, for example, I was invited to talk about Easter to reception children at Dixon’s Music Primary.

Sometimes we are invited in to talk to a class about what our work involves. There are usually some very interesting questions asked.

They find it fascinating when I tell them that I used to climb trees in Jamaica to get fruit, and that I used to collect fire wood to cook food and had to walk a long way to get water for drinking and cooking.

One of the most memorable events which took place at Aldersgate Methodist church was a service to mark Remembrance Sunday. It was a whole School assembly which involved poems, music and story. I was really glad that I had the opportunity to make something significant and meaningful for Children and Teachers. It was a very moving occasion.

It was rather sad that we were not able to do some of the things which we had planned for before lockdown happened, but hopefully we will be able to revisit those things and engage with people who are wanting to extend the work of God’s kingdom in new ways.

You and I know that in order to enable God’s kingdom to develop and grow we have to reach out in small ways at first because the Kingdom of God is like a grain of wheat. If it is planted it will grow to extend the reach of God’s love. We are in the business of planting God’s love in people’s minds and hearts. It’s good to be involved with a group of people who work together to provide mission and ministry to the Schools in our area. As Schools gradually return over a period many people are beginning to recognise just what a fantastic work they do in providing not just education for children but welfare and social support for the most needy.

We need to remember our schools and other educational establishments in our prayers.

God who stretches our minds and our hearts, we thank you for our Teachers who work tirelessly to give support and encouragement to those in their care. We praise you for equipping and strengthening them in wisdom, insight and the skillset that they need to function effectively.

We pray for those particularly with heavy workloads that they may be given the resources they need to manage their work effectively and draw the best out of their students.

We pray too for those Teachers who have responsibility for the pastoral well being of students, that they may be given the knowledge and sensitivity that they need to do their work.

We pray for students whose lives are overshadowed by unhappiness, abuse, pain or anxiety and fear. May they be given reassurance, comfort in an environment that will enable them to have their full potential realised.

Lord be with all those in education at every level, be with those away from home who are studying in another part of the country. May they know your grace in their time of need.

Amen.

Revd Albert Gayle.

Since our last annual report, like everyone else, we’ve had a very mixed year!

Christmas was an incredible time for the project with us using our contacts on North Parade to stage a number of brilliant events. Free Spirit joined us for a fantastically festive morning of Carol Singing at Bread and Roses Café, where we were able to collect offerings in support of the work of BEACON.

Here they are doing their best Von Trapp family impression.

The Peacock bar, as usual, was the venue for plenty of other events near the end of the year including our monthly services, an eggnog and bratwurst curry evening and, of course, our ever popular Curry and Carols.

This year Curry and Carols had some extra visitors from the German TV Channel ZDF. They’d decided they wanted to come and film the event to broadcast as part of their ‘Around Europe’ news bulletin. So just as people were tuning in to watch the film which followed the bulletin, Paddington 2, they would have been treated to the sight of our youth group somehow fitting the dance to The Macarena to the tune of various Christmas carols!

Christmas Eve also gave me the opportunity to perform another marriage service for a couple that had their first date at a previous Curry and Carols event. Alice and Ben looked a right pair of smashers as they were joined by a small group of their closest family and friends at New Hey Road to begin a new and wonderful stage of their life together.

This year we have also formally welcomed two volunteer chaplains to the Saint Arnolds project who have both been working hard to create relationships with staff and customers at various hospitality venues around the city, offering a listening ear and extending the church well beyond the walls of any of its buildings.

Saint Arnold’s also welcomed its first formal member to the church. A very exciting development which we hope to build on as we re-emerge from lockdowns.

The Peacock bar was also the site of my first spontaneous baptism as someone who I met and shared the gospel with asked, well almost demanded actually, to be baptised right there and then. What a privilege to be able confirm God’s love for them as the water from their baptism ran down their forehead to mix with their tears of joy.

The pandemic has caused a few struggles but the chaplaincy, friendship and prayers we have been able to offer have been very well received and appreciated by those with whom we have maintained contact. We have also managed to move some of our events online, with services and Beer and Hymns taking place through the Saint Arnold’s Facebook page.

We commence a Methodist new year in a very different way to what we expected a few months ago. If by the end of the year as a church we have reverted to our usual ways and practises we have missed a huge opportunity to move from disorientation to reorientation in a new age. So, may we use this time to discern the mind of Christ for His Church as we listen deeply together in these concerning days, knowing always that as we do, we are indeed a community of resurrection and in the words of our founding father ‘The Best of all is God is with Us’.

Richard J Teal, President of the Methodist Conference.

Daily prayer focus:

Our ministers and their families
Our administrator and circuit leadership who strive to ensure the circuit is not just a unit of business, but one of vision and mission also.
Our church stewards, our treasurers who take care of our finances, and all those who work to keep our churches going.
Our congregations, especially those most vulnerable, that we can all continue to know we are a part of the church family.
Our District, our Chair of District Rev Kerry Tankard and his family and all district office holders.
The housebound and those in supported living. For the pastoral visitors and all who maintain contact with them.
Our local preachers and worship leaders
Our uniformed groups and those who work with them.
Local schools, and the continuing relationships our ministers and members are able to strengthen with them.
Aldersgate, as it provides a home for important community groups, Peer Talk and memory Tree.
Clayton as it reaches out into the community as a Place of Welcome, and with ‘Ping’ ‘art for all’ and Tea Party Worship.
Cornerstone as it offers hospitality to groups within the community, especially refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya
Ebenezer that they may discern a clear way forward.
Horton Bank, celebrating their 150th Anniversary and looking for the way ahead
New Hey Road as it’s members explore the next step of their journey, seeking to be led by God’s Spirit in their mission amongst the community.
Southfield Lane, as they continue discern how to be faithful disciples and witnesses in their particular context.
Thornbury as they explore new ways of using their resources.
Trinity as they are freed up to explore new ways of being church.
Wibsey, that their relationships with the community may be strengthened.
Wyke, for the work done as ‘churches together’, especially the food bank.
St Arnold’s as it continues to build a community of faith within our city centre. Supporting local businesses by worshipping and praying with them as they travel through difficult times.
22.We pray for those who are part of the online community of this circuit. May all who gather virtually feel the warmth of welcome, the heights of worship and the depth of God’s love surrounding them
For peace, justice and harmony between the diverse communities within Bradford
For our children and young people and those who offer their talent and their time to work with them.
For the ways we are able to work together with other Christian groups.
BEACON (Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern) for the new Digital Legal Advice Service and other legal advice developments.
Chaplains around the city working in universities, hospitals, Marie Curie, and the Courts.
28.Rowanberries, all who live, work and volunteer there.
Touchstone, for all who use that space.
Inn churches and those who work with the homeless and with the foodbanks
Methodist Connexion and Worldwide mission

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8 v 38-39

PLEASE PRAY:

That we may continue to explore how the circuits can be a unit for mission across the City of Bradford
For a circuit that engages in, and lives by prayer.
For St Arnold's, that relationships developed will
continue to deepen and our presence in the City Centre will be cemented.
That our circuit and churches, will continue to nurture our young people
That we will seek ways to reach out and build
relationships with community groups who use our premises.
For support for the new initiatives around the circuit

Thank you t eve,ryone who has supported the, Circuit over the last year and a big thanks to all our volunteers!

Circuit Accruals Accounts 2019-20 THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020 Bradford South Circuit Roglster•d Charlty. R•gl*traibom nurnb•r 1157285 Wesl Yorkshi Di$trSct No I Circult No 27133 Rov Lyn Gregg {Sunn18ndenIl Gr8eTh Dull Re¥ Sarah Jemis Rev bert Gae RKhard C¥dro> Clrcult Stw¥ard¥ Miss suzan $0P Mrs Roye Watson Mr t>eru5 Wa15 Mrs NarKy Haie Mrs Elizabeth Smith Mr5 Joy t). Clrcult Treasur•r MrTrevN Kershaw

Name of Circuil BradlordS0h Cw¢uit Qrwl No 27133 Statom¢nt of Financial Activities ISOFAI for the year ended 31 August 2020 N¢X•S to C¥curt rAoo•i Gon•rJlFund Tru Fund IUnrnstrkt•ffj IUnr•wi•dl lurMrySbWerfl Fundi T¢xal 201&20 F¥nds Income l Donatsons 2 hvm 500 165375 1052 0 Grant5fB(ivÈtt 7 Other thanLIWe" 8Tolat Inrt¢h• 25.184 IW.939 Z&874 191,649 Expenditur• 141.295 7.410 141.29$ 7MIO 11 Ptoplrty 13 tNsinct & L 14 D#prtcI 4&1 48,118 15.a35 16 0(4gol 17 CEnbutn5 io the 17 Tothi •Ap•rtt• 2.01 25.150 1,759 243.857 1 759 239.117 19GAin&iiasy•Jlon Im•slment 20 N•t In¢omDIIDxpqffldKw•l 21 Translers N¥¢In lut 22 ot[ qain&iiass•xI 23 N•1 mOv•rn*t Infvndl 4¢177 41.•8 246 47.•J1 41.98 991 1 J45.751 751 1.293.113 70%2 1g,oy 2SToiil lunditsirlod forwird 12•9.9M

Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020 J$1 124 I•FM7 TT.74 IX7*19 IJNI 1447•

Nème ol ¢Ul1 Br0rd South Circuit Circuit No 1157285 Notes to the A¢¢ount5 1. Bas58 of accounting Tifow¥ LrfvtrCIW51AZOI1 RerAxlry by Rewrhr•SWrdtw&nalerErSlrf1raW1 lA(leffe£4l l Z0151_ch$5olFRsSEj- TqFiac4meTht 2. Funds 3. A¢couniing pdl¢l )CwwitOg•VLUWW VAT &rthiMcitCLkntIl MIVATiogisieieo.41

Name ol CirCt Bradford South Circuit Circuit No 1157285 4. Investment Incom¢ 110drI1 2•20 TOW W1•Totyi 500 SOD Tow 5. PJyTh•nltO truJt••• Yw Lmtyw To 6. F•¢¥lor eximlnitlon or •udllol I accour Th yw L•lt Y•w 2.160 2.1L z,1 1100 7. Pald •hWI• ThhY•w LIBI Ymr I062 27 Y4PJ T•t41 138,104 190.27P

Name of Cwojh Bradfd Srwth C[r1 Cirwt No 1157285 & Tanglblo fixed asvt 970 FMutq¥.

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Name of CircJJit Bradford South Clrcuit Circwl No 1157285 Y. Analys18 of current a55ets TN•Y•Jr L•itY&v 15.159 1565 Totsl 15159 15.658 10. naly818 olcumnt Il•blllll¢¥ Ind long term ¢redrtor• Y•Jr L••tYwr Cuff•Thi Ii•blll TrJ¢è¢fe¢iiors JY J96 ?J.863 23.8 TX .396 11. Capltal commltm•nts and ¢onlbrboeM lbIllIo••

Bradlord Suuth fjrturi DECLARATIONS Tr•asurer I confirm thai these aCcnl ba accounts forthÈ ywentsd 31 Awust 2020 have l)een prepared from records of Ihe Cirrubt aryj Ihat kney all luThJ5 uThlÈr ihe wntrot of Ihe Circuit MeelrvJ. Sonaiure ofTreasu Jg73111 Nam8 ofT¥8wJrer Mr Tr8wK K¢r5h Addre58 7£ ShÈ7F £oAK), StLK ¥t•ufAx Mx3 7 PL Pr•s•ntation to th• Cir¢ult M••tlng for appro1. I confirn Ihai the annual and a¢JnIS the yeareNknJ31 Atyj 2020 re. LY preBeNed loth8 Meetsr¥ al IEI3Ixi aryl apyoyed. SSJnaiure olthe C01 the meeb'rvj Name ol the Choltho modng Date P. etl3111 Ind•pend•nt Exomln•rf• R•port to th• Trvst•M olth• Bradlofd South Clr¢ult Thi¥ R8r>M 1$ M the thè >w•¥J8d 31"W RMp•ctlv• r•spon•lblllll•J of Tw•t••8 and Ex4mln•r Th• Clrcurfs 5¢98S aré fy¥pwwbl8 lorènwnry that annual and accwnts forthe y68rlo 31 AwJu$12020 present a Iwe and lairvvwolthe Circuit3 arv) 8xp8ndrt' ure forthe year and of it8 a5seL8 and liatslibe5 ai th8 b4aru sh881 dale. rh8 that an auth¢ ¢5 necessary lorlhis yea¢ uthrsecbon 144 d the Ch¥N¢t 2011 lihè Clithdland th81 an irKIBpOe0I examinabw 1$ n88ded. It my to.. lo folthe kY(Kedures L•bJ dm In Ihe gerw81 Llrn¢tkn& lry th&Charty CDM1 underseclion I45(SKbl Clwli8S &¢.. aThJ 10 stgifrwfietherparltur matters h8* CWto my atieniiw. 'P193se delerfr tr cwde as gpw(w6

Bradford South Orcuit Bas15 of Independent Exarnlno¢s Report My ¢x¥millaDon wa5 Carr J1 In atttrdance gerw81 gen by the Charty CcmmrSsn. An oxafflinathM dUdeS a rev01 rerS kept by fvcbarityar a tompartson ol the acwunts wesenied wlh th reCd5. 11 ofany rtEpns. m naknie OT ordisd05U the acLyJunts. sealiw eWanaiKmfrorn thèTntsteesWrwr m¥ttw5 The SureS do tut proVe all the evkIe[ thatrUbj brTj an audrf afKI. (xryuenty grrfenas tother e a¢Thts prew 8 trw tsiT Myrewt ¥J iw nwifws 5etoul IhoswiemembBknY. Indep•nd•nt Examln•r'$ Stat•rnent In connectioTh rny ex8minaiiw. rn mati8r has cixne to my atLe1th as di8d)sed bew) 111 reasonatrAo t>Jse ¢0 that in Wy mpterial tesW¢t the wulrements.. . to prepare 8cwJni$ Iho at¢fwntsr¥J recud6aTrJ ith tha hqye nol t4en met. or 10 my opin. attention shDutsJ bts kn ryder loenaI6 a propef und8rstsndiNJ of the 8ccwni• lo be reached. I hèv8 Ih•% nDI' obt8ined inrrth rifallon ol all investments %ith the Tru$tse$ for Methodist Chufch Purposes or held in har Irusts, bank balance5 and funds al tho Ceniral Financ& 8oard ol lh8 Mathodist Churth are IdUallY In oxt0 ol£lO,000 Ilen thousand pounds) at the babtre thoel ¢Jal8. ofknd8p8ndenl examin8r PelOrS¥h FCCA Swnalure ol independ8ni tXomln•r 4s Relevanl ProfeJ8l¢>MI qualtrficalion of inde ndeni eXaner hartered CerfIed Accwntsnl NaTh of l*there 4 h&SI Lld Addw8 Thcrfnhill Bn5¥ MiU5. Thomhill Beck L808. BryjSe. HD6 4AH. Dale 07112r2020

Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020 J$1 124 I•FM7 TT.74 IX7*19 IJNI 1447•

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2020-08-31-accounts

“Sharing God’s Love”

Ministerial Staff

Revd. Albert Gayle

Circuit Office

Core Opening Hours:

Alone on Easter Day

The plight of asylum seekers: fact or fiction, truth or lie?

BEACON is greatly blessed by dedicated workers, volunteers and trustees.

Prayer

Extending the reach of God’s love:

We need to remember our schools and other educational establishments in our prayers.

Daily prayer focus:

PLEASE PRAY:

TOQg)

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