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Safer Recruitment
Safer Recruitment
The Methodist Church are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults within our church communities. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles.Safer Recruitment Policy (January 2024)
There is Government guidance about DBS checks in churches.
There is a District Volunteer Declaration form. This can be used when a person is volunteering but not involved with any vulnerable groups for example, gardening, cleaning, in the kitchen etc. If there is ever a concern about information on a form, please contact the DSO immediately.
Please remember that all DBS applications must be preceded by the completing of the relevant Confidential Self-Disclosure form before starting.
Safer recruitment forms are available here .
All workers whether paid or voluntary to have completed the appropriate forms for their role. If you are unsure about this, please contact me.
Role Profile Templates
Templates for many roles can be found on the Connexional website here
If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact DSO Neil van Holland who stores some alternates that may help.
January Light
See here for more about the January Light mission initiative.
Dementia Friendly Churches
Potter Heigham Methodist Church
A fairly modern chapel built about 45 years ago on a green field site with plenty of parking space, in Green Lane, Potter Heigham through the old part of the village away from the Staithe and boatyard [about 1 mile walk].
To find us, follow the road from the Staithe past Lathams and turn right at the Post Office. Go forward, taking care as you cross the A149. Continue forward to the T junction. Turn left on School Lane, passing the Village Hall and old school on your right. Follow the road round to the right and the chapel stands in its own grounds.
Our noticeboard announces all our special events.
We love to welcome all visitors
Address: Green Lane, Potter Heigham NR29 5LP
Sunday Service: 10 a.m.
Minister: Rev. Andrew King
Phone: 01493 750799
Church Pastoral Assistant: Mr Shaun Cushion
Phone: 01493 740237
If you need to contact us, please call our Pastoral Assistant first
Midweek activities:
Alternate Mondays 7.30 – 9 p.m: Our Martham Singers, a group of enthusiastic singers, meet for practice. New singers always welcome. Operatic skills not essential!!
Monthly on Monday 10 -12 Coffee and Chat – see noticeboard for details
Accessibility at Potter Heigham
The Methodist Church wishes to be an environment where all feel welcome and cared for. In order to allow for widest possible access, this church has the following facilities available:
- Wheelchair Accessible Access
- Accessible Toilet
- Loop system
- Large Print Text
Morley Methodist Church
Sunday services are normally at
3.00 pm attended by a friendly group of people with a cup of tea and a chat afterwards. Special services are supported by the village.
3.00 pm attended by a friendly group of people with a cup of tea and a chat afterwards. Special services are supported by the village.
Address: 6 Chapel Road, Morley St Botolph, Wymondham, NR18 9TF
Minister: Rev. Stephen Cullis
Telephone: 01953 609106 Email
Weekly activities:
Mondays:
Happy Circle, a regular meeting for senior people where all are welcome: First Monday of the month at 2.00 pm. Starting again in May.
Thursdays:
Youth Club 6pm to 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month.
Accessibility at Morley
The Methodist Church wishes to be an environment where all feel welcome and cared for. In order to allow for widest possible access, this church has the following facilities available:
- Wheelchair access
- Accessable toilet
- Hearing aid loop
- Large print books
10th August 2016
Hopton Haven (Hopton Methodist Church)
The society at Hopton has sadly ceased, but the building has become the Hopton Haven a base for the 'Byways' project run by Rev. Paul Mellor. As part of the project there is a monthly 'Soup Church' on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 11.30am. Come alonng and share with us. All are welcome to this lovely little chapel which has been well cared for over the years.
Address: Nethergate Street, Hopton, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2QZ
Services: 1st Tue. 11.30am
Minister: Rev Paul Mellor
The Methodist Church wishes to be an environment where all feel welcome and cared for. In order to allow for widest possible access, this church has the following facilities available:
- Loop System to aid hearing
- Screen projection of hymns
- Equal Access Toilet
Grapevine Magazine
The District regularly publishes a District Newsletter "grapevine". Please contact Danielle Gravestock at the District Office if you require a large print or audio version of the newsletter. Contact details are below.
The September 2025 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2025 edition is available here
A PDF version of the April 2025 edition is available here
The September issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2024 edition is available here
The April 2024 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the April 2024 edition is available here
The September 2023 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2023 edition is available here
The April 2023 issue can be read though this link
A PDF version of the April 2023 edition is available here
The September 2022 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2022 edition is available here
The April 2022 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the April 2022 edition is available here
The September 2021 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2021 edition is available here
The April 2021 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the April 2021 edition is available 
here
The September 2020 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2020 edition is available here
The April 2020 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the April 2020 edition is available here
Rev Sharon Thraves sabbatical reflections are available here:
Human_Condition_week_4_Exercise_Genesis_3.docx
Sharon_Thraves_Human_Condition_Exercise_Week_5.docx
The September 2019 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2019 edition is available here
The April 2019 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the April 2019 edition is available here
The Spring 2018 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the Spring 2018 issue is available here
An additional article not published in the Spring 2018 issue is available here
The Autumn 2017 issue can be read through this link.
A PDF version of the Autumn 2017 issue is available here
The Spring 2017 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the Spring 2017 issue is available here
The September 2016 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the September 2016 issue is available here
The Spring 2016 issue can be read through this link
A PDF version of the Spring 2016 issue is available here
The November 2015 issue can be read through this link.
A PDF version of the November 2015 issue is available here
Who We Are
How Are We Organised?
The East Anglia District of the Methodist Church is part of a larger Methodist family.*
Methodism encourages links between its churches, recognising the significant benefits in being part of a national movement. This, in Methodism, is called the Connexion. The Church is governed by the Methodist Conference—a democratically elected body that meets annually. The ongoing work of the Methodist Conference is undertaken throughout the year by the Methodist Council, which meets three times annually.
The District
The Methodist Church of Great Britain is divided up into 30 Districts. Here in the East Anglia District, Revd Helen Hollands is the Chair of the District, whose job it is to lead the ministers and lay people in the work of preaching and worship, evangelism, pastoral care, teaching and administration.
The District has a number of committees that meet to oversee the different areas of District life. The 3 main committees usually meet 3 times a year for a full or half day.
Each District has a Representative Synod. Its purpose is to decide policy for the District and to be the link between the Methodist Conference and Connexional offices of the Church on the one hand, and the Circuits and local churches on the other. Some church members belong to the Synod because they have been elected or because they hold one of a number of offices within the District or in the Circuits. The Synod currently meets twice a year, usually in April and September. A Presbyteral Synod is also held once a year.
Circuits
Each District is divided up into Circuits; and there are 15 within East Anglia. Each Circuit is made up of a number of local churches, which organise worship for their congregations. Pastoral care is also provided. Each Circuit has a Superintendent Minister who is the contact person for the churches, ministers (also known as presbyters or deacons) and people within that Circuit. The Superintendent Ministers directly link to the Chair of the District. There are also Supernumerary Ministers who have retired from active ministry but may offer assistance, as appropriate.
The responsibilities of the Circuit are exercised through the Circuit Meeting. Its task is to combine spiritual leadership with administrative efficiency to help the Circuit fulfil its purpose. The members of the Circuit Meeting are the managing trustees of resources such as property and finance. Circuit Stewards are the lay leaders of the Circuit and are responsible for a number of matters that seek to unite and develop the Circuit and the churches within it. Some church members belong to the Circuit Meeting because they have been elected by their church or because they hold one of a number of offices within the Circuit. The purpose of the Circuit is to use effectively the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance. It acts as the focal point for the fellowship of the local churches, looking after their pastoral care, training and evangelistic work.
Lay Employees
Another area of ministry within the Methodist Church is that of Lay Employees – a generic term that the Methodist Church uses to described the many varied ministries that people are involved in. Most Lay Employees are appointed by Circuits to work in one or two churches or in a project. They are part of the ministry team of a Circuit working alongside presbyters, deacons and other lay people. The work to be undertaken will have been identified by Circuits as they undertake a review of their mission policy and staffing needs. There are also a few Lay Employee appointments made by Districts.
Local Churches
The local Church is the ‘power house’ of Methodism. It is also worth stressing that the church is the people, not the buildings. (Although – confusingly – the building in which they meet is often called the ‘church’, as well!) The local church exists to exercise the whole ministry of Christ. Worship, fellowship, pastoral care, mission and service are essential features of that ministry. The Church Council, with the minister, has responsibility for the co-ordination of that ministry; and the members of the Church Council are managing trustees of the local church resources. Some Church members belong to the Church Council because they have been elected by the local church members or because they hold one of a number of offices within the local church. Church Stewards and a number of other members of the Church Council are elected by the General Church Meeting (which is Methodism’s version of an AGM).
For people who wish to become members of the Methodist Church, there is a period of training and, once the local Church Council is satisfied with the person’s sincere acceptance of the basis of membership of the Methodist Church, a service of confirmation and reception into membership is held. If they have not previously been baptised, the service will include baptism. All officer holders must be members of the Methodist Church.
Lay Preachers
Two thirds of all Methodist Sunday services are conducted by a Local (lay) Preacher. They have undergone several years training, but are not ordained.
Training
Training for the District is organised by the Learning Network Eastern Region . The team work jointly with Beds Essex and Herts District for this.
Further questions? Ask a real live Methodist!