Superintendent Minister

My name is David and I joined the Middlesbrough and Eston Circuit as  Superintendent minister in August 2020.  I grew up in Bedfordshire,  trained at Queens College in Birmingham and have been in circuit  ministry since 1994.  I have served in:  The Isle of Man (3 years),  Hinkley in Leicestershire (8 years), York (10 years, with 7 as  Superintendent of the old York North Circuit), and in the Thirsk and  Northallerton Circuit as Superintendent (5 years).  I enjoy cricket,  books, food (especially chilli), exploring remote places, walking, bread  making, family time, cricket, rugby, golf, any sport involving a ball,  and … did I mention cricket?

I  am married to Carolyn and we have two grown up children Ruth and Rachel  who both live away.  Carolyn works as the Regional Safeguarding Officer  for the Darlington and Newcastle districts of the Methodist Church. 

M&E  Circuit has some great work going on with exciting mission projects and  some wonderful people.  God is always doing something new in our  churches and community and I am confident he is with us as we navigate  through challenging times.  We enjoy living here, making friends and  being part of the Church family.   I wish you every blessing.

Revd. David Godfrey 

I’m  delighted to be part of the Middlesbrough & Eston circuit  ministering alongside Linthorpe Road and Trinity Methodist Churches. 

Prior  to coming to Middlesbrough I expressed my ministry as part of the  Connexional team in the Yorkshire Plus region of the Learning Network.  Before that appointment I was a circuit minister in inner-city Leeds. I  trained for ministry at Wesley College, Bristol after spending a number  of years as a community worker in areas of multiple deprivation and  working in university chaplaincy. 

I  grew up in Cumbria & the Lake District and so I really enjoy  spending time outdoors whether being active or simply being mindful of  creation. I like cooking for others and spending time with people, and  when I’m on my own I can be found with my head in a book… something  you’ll see line the walls of the manse! 

I  still feel an immense sense of privilege and excitement that my  identity is caught up in the story of ministry and I’m looking forward  to sharing this part of the journey with you. 

I was ordained as a Presbyter in 2001. During my ministry I have been  stationed in the Bolton Circuit for 13 years and the West Pennine Moors  Circuit for six.

I “sat down” in 2020 and became a supernumerary minister – which is  the nearest thing Methodist ministers get to retiring, although I don’t  plan to sit around with my feet up just yet!

At the same time as sitting down, together with my wife June and our  eldest son Alastair, we moved to our present home in Ingleby Barwick. We  chose to move to the Northeast as our younger son, Matthew lives with  his family in Seaton Carew. Matthew is married to Megan, and they have a  two-year-old son – our grandson, Toby.

As well as spending as much time as I can with my wife and family, I  enjoy choral singing, walking pilgrimage trails, and reading fiction and  nonfiction. 

May God bless and keep you,

John