Rev. Roger Parsons.   Superintendent Minister of Vale Royal Methodist Church.

  Methodist Ministers move around the country every five to seven years each time to a new circuit.   They have to preach in their circuit and take Communion, Weddings, Baptism and Funerals.   The minister also provides comfort to the sick and elderly.

In order to carry out all these duties, Methodist Ministers rely on help sometimes paid but often voluntary of Lay Workers.

Jane Webb is the Lay worker for the Tunbridge Wells Circuit.

Local Preachers.

Local Preachers come from all walks of life.   They role is crucial to Methodism.   When John Wesley began to preach around the country,   he encouraged the local people to become Disciples for Jesus in their own communities by organizing services and preaching.   Local preachers continue this tradition.   

When a member feels that he or she could serve in this way, he or she undergoes several years, in their spare time, studying the Bible, following a course and then taking part in services.   Before they become accredited preachers they have exams to take and have to Preach before the Superintendent of the Circuit as well as Circuit Stewards.   

Local preachers give of they time voluntarily, each week preaching in a different Church in the Circuit.   It means that Methodist Congregations are likely to hear each week a completely different style of preaching and personal views.

In the Tunbridge Wells Circuit some of Local preachers are now retired from business, we have a preacher who is a Curator of a Museum,   a preacher who during the week can be found selling electrical goods, a driver for a courier firm, a teacher and a buildings manager.   Each one brings a new dimension to the Christian message and shows that Christianity is not just for Sundays!  

Stewards.

Methodists not only try to establish a method (hence the name) to studying the Bible by the Class system but are also methodical in Church Organization.

At the Annual Church meeting each year Stewards are appointed to serve in the Church.   These Stewards must be Members i.e. they have publicly expressed their belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior.   They will have been approached before the meeting to see if they would be willing to serve and their name put forward to the meeting.   All worshippers are allowed to attend the meeting but only Full Members can vote.

The Stewards under the leadership of the   Senior Steward meet together regularly to discuss with the Minister the organization of the Church. The Stewards help the minister run the church.   They will pray with the Preacher before the service and then begin the service with a short pray with the Congregation.   They may advise the congregation of any changes in the notices, they help to serve Holy Communion, welcome people into the church, count the collection and give the meal tickets out.   

  The Senior Steward is responsible for ensuring that there are Stewards available for each service to open the Church and prepare it for the service and to ensure that the Church is later closed. He or she will contact the preacher appointed for the service and advise the organist of the hymns and the reader of the Bible passages.   The Senior Steward will ensure that a Local preacher is available to assist the Minister in the Celebration of Holy Communion. The Senior Steward should also be able to discuss with the Minister any concerns that have been brought to his/her attention and should also be there to assist the Minister in any way possible.

As a new Minister is appointed fairly frequently it is very important that the members of the Church take on these responsibilities so that there in continuity. The Senior Steward is appointed for a year before passing on the responsibility to another Steward.

There are other people beside the Steward that look after the administration, finance and upkeep of the church building.   In addition there are Circuit Stewards appointed from each Church so that problems which concern the whole area can be discussed.   The appointment of a new Minister is discussed at the Circuit Meeting before he or she is invited.

Here's a picture of the current stewards at Vale Royal

The Sunday School Teachers teach the Sunday school. 

Children are very welcome at Vale Royal and the Sunday School Teachers are very important.   Their job is to provide an opportunity for young people to learn of the love of Jesus Christ.

The Sunday School spend the first 15 minutes in the Church with the adult congregation.   They have a special address from the Preacher, which the adults usually find interesting as well, and before leaving the Church their choice of hymn is introduced by one of the children and sung by all.

For the rest of the hour, the children are split into classes according to their age and follow a course of study common to them all but suitable to their age.

The Teachers have four meetings a year to discuss matters relating to the Sunday School.   They will also discuss special occasions   such as Mothering Sunday, Sunday School Anniversary, Promotion Sunday and The Nativity Play.  For these occasions a particular preacher or activity may be suggested so that the service is particularly suitable for the youngsters.

The job involves time to prepare the lessons, take them and clear up after the children. Teachers need to be patient, dedicated and above all want children to know that Jesus loves them.   it is not always easy but always worthwhile.  

We also have to arrange the annual trip to the Pantomime and the summer picnic.    Diane Cullen will usually write the Nativity Play so that there is something new for the Children to learn and the adults to enjoy, she will teach new songs and prepare the youngsters for the Annual Area Festival.