Our Ministers
Revd David Godfrey
Revd Charity Hamilton
Revd John Howard-Norman
Recognition for 50 years local preaching
A letter from the Presodent and Vice President Methodist Conference
Ann Gartside was thanked with a letter and certificate during the joint service at Nunthorpe for her dedication to Local Preaching. Vice President of Conference Carolyn Godfrey read out the letter from Chair and Vice to spontaneous applause of those present.
Eco Shop inaugurated in Middlesbrough
The Eco Shop officially opened its doors on Thursday 30 January after a soft launch two weeks prior. It is the newest initiative of the Trinity Family-Friendly Centre (TFFC) – the mission arm of the church.
MEMO
MEMO - The Middlesbrough and Eston Methodist Outburst. 24 pages of information about our churches, whats on, letters, jokes and more serious thoughts
Where Are We ?
Our churches are south of the River Tees in North East England.
Please enjoy looking around our website and perhaps visit us at one of our churches. - You are most welcome.
Our Mission
At Middlesbrough and Eston Methodist Circuit, we are committed to serving our community and sharing the love of Christ. We believe that everyone is welcome in our church, and we strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all people.
Circuit Office
Circuit Office, Nunthorpe Methodist Church, Connaught Road, Nunthorpe TS7 0BP
Email mbrocircuit@gmail.com
Opening Hours Tuesdays & Fridays 9.30am – 12.00 noon
Administrator: Elaine McIntosh 01642 323924
Office Services:-
General Photocopying and Printing:
We have available white and coloured A4 paper, white A3 paper, coloured 80gm card.
Typing: Notices, posters, leaflets, magazines, newsletters, rotas, programmes, minutes, tickets etc.
Laminating:-
This puts a plastic coating on documents, posters etc., thus protecting the printing from dirt, grease and water. It has a write on/ wipe off finish. The Laminator will deal with documents ranging from Identification Card size right up to A3.
Colour Printing:-
We have the facilities to produce posters, flyers etc. up to A3 size with coloured printing and graphics
Distribution:-
If your church has anything to circulate around the Circuit why not make use of the office for this. There is no charge for this other than the cost of any envelopes and stamps necessary and this will be invoiced to your treasurer.
We are happy to do private work also (contact us for prices). Obviously though Church work will take preference in busy periods.
Life Events
Baptism Christening Adoption
According to the Methodist Worship Book, baptism (or Christening) marks entry into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of which the Methodist Church is part. The Methodist Church, like most denominations of the Christian Church, administers the sacrament to both adults and young children.
Is there an alternative to baptism for our child?
Some people choose to have an Act of Thanksgiving after the Birth or Adoption of a Child.
Weddings and Partnerships
If you are planning to get married and are considering a Methodist church, here are guidelines to help you.
What is the first step?
Usually a couple wishing to get married should approach the Methodist Minister of the church at which they wish to be married. This would normally have to be in the civil registration district in which they live.
Marriage preparation is provided at a local level by the circuit ministers. The best route is to start making links with the minister likely to conduct the wedding. As part of the legal process, prospective marriage partners will need to go to the local registry office and will be given a copy of a book called 'Married Life', which is a helpful resource for people thinking about the implications of getting married. The Methodist Church produced a Christian Preparation for Marriage report in 1998. There is also an ecumenical website about marriage preparation.
One of us is divorced. Is that OK?
The rules and laws relating to divorce are not made by the church but by the State. Methodist Church House is not in a position to offer advice on couples' pastoral situations. The best advice is to speak to the local minister or the superintendent minister of the circuit where you live.
The Methodist Church is generally willing to marry people who have been divorced, while their previous spouse is still alive, as long as there are not major obvious reasons why it would be inappropriate to do so. There are a very few ministers who will never marry someone who has been divorced, but such a minister will refer the couple to a minister who is willing to marry divorced people.
The local minister will be able to explain the legalities about going to the registrar for a certificate and so on. The Methodist Church does not argue that the grounds for divorce should be changed from the present ones. We would certainly encourage a couple going through difficulties in their relationship to seek advice, counselling and support to see if they can rebuild it. We would also expect people to take very seriously their responsibilities to any children of the marriage.
Does one of us have to be a Methodist?
People wanting to marry in church don't have to be members of the church, but most ministers will ask them why they wish to marry in church. A church marriage is a solemn Christian ceremony, with prayers and Bible readings reflecting Christian understandings of what marriage is about. Whilst people wishing to marry in a Methodist church do not need to be church members, most ministers will look for a genuine desire on the part of a couple to take their marriage seriously along the lines set out in the service. Discussing what this means in practice will be part of the marriage preparation.
What if we are from two different denominations?
Many marriages in Methodist churches (and many couples marrying in Methodist churches) include people from different Christian denominations. Where two people from different church traditions marry, it is quite common for ministers from both churches to take part in the ceremony. This is welcomed. Sometimes, people from different faiths marry - and there is advice available for such marriages.
What about same-sex marriage?
On 30 June 2021, and following prayerful consideration by the whole Church, the Methodist Conference voted to confirm provisional resolutions on same sex marriages conducted on Methodist premises or by Methodist office-holders. See Marriage and Relationships
For further information
The first point of contact is your local church where the minister can discuss your questions with you.
Funerals
Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ give them hope and cause for thanksgiving in the face of death. In this faith we entrust those who have died to the infinite mercy and love of God.
A Methodist funeral service acknowledges this hope and offers bereaved people the opportunity to remember their loved one's life and offer them into God's care.
How do we arrange a funeral?
Most people will use the services of a local funeral director, who will provide advice and organise all the practical arrangements. If you would like a funeral to involve the church and a local minister it is a good idea to find out if they are available before booking the time and date of the service.
The person who has died may have left details of the sort of funeral that they hoped for. Ministers will want to support families in keeping to such arrangements as much as possible and in making the service a personal and appropriate occasion. Taking funerals is an important part of the minister's work and he or she will take time to visit families, offering comfort and support before and after the funeral itself. In some churches they may be able to offer the ongoing support of one of their pastoral team.
Burials and Cremations
Few Methodist churches have burial grounds and those that do are mostly full, so burials usually take place at the local cemetery. Just over half of funerals today are cremations and services may take place entirely at the crematorium or as well as a church service. If cremation is desired this leaves the question of what to do with the ashes. Crematoria have gardens of rest where they can be buried or scattered and many churchyards have a special place set aside for this even when there is no space left for graves.
Bereavement
The time between a person's death and their funeral is often very busy and full of practical arrangements. Often it is only after the funeral that the full extent of loss affects the bereaved.
Grieving is a natural and important part of coming to terms with and healing this loss and it may continue for several months. There are people in most local churches who have experienced loss and they are often the best people to offer support in the months and years following a death. Ministers may be able to offer help or find others who can provide such friendship and support. There are patterns and themes to bereavement but each person is different and it is important for people to be supported in finding their own way through grief.