Pastoral letter: September 2025

Dear all,

Happy new Methodist year, it is really good to be journeying with you. I hope the summer has been a time of rest and enrichment. Welcome to all those who have joined the district, we look forward to working with you.

I was fortunate enough to spend a week away at Sheldon during August, a retreat centre nestled in the hills of Devon, a place of peace, quiet, worship and cake (which is always a bonus). Sheldon is a place that offers particular sanctuary to ministers, it is set in acres of woodland, orchards and they have a collection of rare breed sheep with whom you can become acquainted. I spent several days walking, reading and  each morning to get up quite early and walk and for the most part I only came across the sheep bleating from one corner of fields to another. However, the day before I left, I wandered into some woodland on the edge of the site where the trails felt largely untrodden. As I went around a corner, I heard a crack in the bracken and there was a Doe standing just before me on the pathway. She didn’t move for a few moments, and we simply looked at one another before she bounded up the hill and out of sight.  It was a God-filled moment, a few seconds which felt longer than they lasted, a surprising encounter with a beautiful creature. It is a moment that has endured in my mind.

 You can zoom in on the map. Clicking on place markers will give the name of the church and also a link to its page on this site. The county areas of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk are shown on this map. Norfolk is shaded in a salmon colour, Suffolk pale blue and Cambridgeshire pale green.

 

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Below is a list of grant making bodies that your Church or Circuit could apply to for projects - both building and ministry.

We'd advise you to firstly check the eligibility criteria for each of the funds before you spend time working on an application. 

Also remember that some grant making bodies will grant towards part of a project even if the whole project doesn't meet their criteria (for example a secular grant making body may not grant towards your youthworker in general because there is a faith based element to their work but it may offer an allocation towards their work in a school running a cookery club or the like).

Websites with comprehensive lists

This website lists Christian Funders - https://www.ecclesiastical.com/church/fundraising/funds/ 

This website lists funders for Church buildings - https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/buildings-maintenance/major-grant-funders 

These websites are search engines for local secular funding:

Norfolk - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/norfolk_com

Suffolk - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/suffolk 

Cambridgeshire - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/supportcambs

Funders And Grant Making Bodies 

Joseph Rank Trust - https://www.ranktrust.org/the-trust.htm

Benefact Trust - https://benefacttrust.co.uk/

Methodist Insurance Grants - https://www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/grant-giving/ 

National Churches Trust - https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/grants 

Garfield Weston Foundation - https://garfieldweston.org/

Entrust Landfill Community Fund - https://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill-community-fund/ 

Hunter Rowe - please email the Hunter Rowe administrator, Mr Angus Campbell. For more details click here to email.

Norwood & Newton Settlement - https://norwoodandnewton.co.uk/

Visit the 3 GEN page on the Methodist website here.

District will fund places for youth, leaders and travel costs any youthgroups in East Anglia District. Please contact the District Treasurer - Shaun Cushion. Click here to email.

                                                             

We are delivering the Advanced Module 2023 Training online and face to face. Both courses need preparation - please read and familiarise yourself with the requirements before booking.

If you cannot find training at a convenient time, or know of those who cannot, please contact our Safeguarding Administrator, Sarah Young. We have a pool of trainers able to deliver face to face training and will arrange this according to need.

Is this the right course for you?

To see which training is required for you in your role, please see "Who should attend Advanced Module?"

If you are unsure about the training you need, please speak to your Church or Circuit Safeguarding Officer.

ADVANCED MODULE

Please read the information below before booking.  If there is not a date which is suitable for you, please contact the Safeguarding Administrator, Sarah Young.

ONLINE:

The Advanced Module (online) is an interactive course where case studies, film clips, questions and discussions will be used to enhance your learning. The Module is in three parts:

1. Advanced Module e-learning, an independent learning experience, you can complete at your own pace in advance of the Gathered session. This will take you 4-6 hours to complete.

2. Advanced Module Gathered Session, a 2 hour facilitated session, for up to 12 participants, which will consolidate and continue your earlier learning. This will be led by one of the District Advanced Module Trainers and the District Safeguarding Officer. A chaplain will also be available.

3. Advanced Module Handbook, this will support your learning during Advanced Module (online) and be a reference point for further study and resources.

If you have completed Foundation, Leadership or Advanced Module training within the last 4 years you can register for the Advanced Module online. You will select a date for your Gathered Session and will then be registered for e-learning access. E-learning should be completed at least 2 days before the Gathered Session.

Select your preferred date to book: 

ADVANCED MODULE GATHERED SESSION ON LINE 

Advanced Module On line Gathered Session Thursday 11th December 2025 1pm

please use the link below to book a place

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/advanced-module-online-thursday-11th-december-2025-at-1pm-tickets-1680287648589?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

 ADVANCED MODULE FACE TO FACE

 

Thursday 23rd October at Hethersett Methodist Church 1pm-5pm

Please use the link below to book a place

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/advanced-module-face-to-face-thursday-23rd-october-1pm-at-hethersett-m-c-tickets-1361714517779?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Please complete the Essential Preparation (about 60 minutes work) before attending the face to face session.

 

Wednesday 11th February 2026 at Dereham Trinity Methodist Church 1-5pm

Please use the link below to book a place.

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/advanced-module-wednesday-11th-february-2026-1pm-at-trinity-dereham-m-c-tickets-1914038654139?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please complete the Essential Preparation (about 60 minutes work) before attending the face to face session.

 

Click here to find out more about the District's prayer initiative for 2023.