Dear Friends,

 The New Circuit

Most of you will be aware that over the last two years there have been prolonged discussions about the possible merger of the Sydenham & Forest Hill Circuit and the Blackheath and Lewisham Circuit into a new Circuit as from 1 September 2012.

Sub groups to cover Staffing, Finance, Worship and Mission have been meeting and will continue to meet as we go forward.

 On the 31 st October both Circuits met individually, heard the reports of the individual church eouncils, and voted unanimously to recommend to the District that the two circuits are disbanded and a new circuit of9 Churches formed on the 1 September 2012. This will mean that the churches in the new circuit will be: Anerley, Forest Hill, Upper Norwood, Wesley Hall, Burnt Ash, Eltham Park, Hither Green, Le\visham and Sunfields. 

The above proposal will go to the Spring Synod of the London District before being authorised at the Methodist Conference in June/July 2012.

After the individual Circuit Meetings a joint Circuit Meeting took place to report the separate meeting discussions and accept any possible names for the new Circuit. Also it recommended that Rev. Stephen Maunder, the present Blackheath and Lewisham Superintendent, should be the new Circuit Superintendent from September 2012.

It should be noted that individual Church Constitution and Practice will not change other than being overseen by and be responsible to the new Circuit.

As we go forward a budget for the new Circuit will be prepared and agreed with all church treasurers. A Shadow Circwt Meeting has been arranged for 20th March 2011 to consider the budget, a new Circuit name and the Constitution of the new Circuit Meeting and Leadership Team.

Concurrent to this process the invitation for someone to replace Graham when he retires has been ongoing with the result that Upper Norwood and Anerley has been accepted as a Probationers Appointment. We await the placing of a Probationer Minister in early January 2012 to take up their position on 1 September 2012.

Please do not hesitate to contact Graham or Pam if you need further clarification.

I will continue to keep everyone infOlmed as the process progresses.

May God richly bless us as we continue our journey.

Graham GGC 23.11.11