From the Manse…A Pastoral Letter – September 2026

 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Dear Friends,

 

As I prepare to begin my ministry among you as Superintendent Minister of the Barking, Dagenham, and Ilford Methodist Circuit, I write with gratitude, humility, and great anticipation. It is both a privilege and a joy to respond to God's call to serve alongside you in this vibrant and diverse Circuit.

 

I thank God for the faithful witness of those who have gone before us. Their commitment to prayer, worship, discipleship, and service has laid a firm foundation upon which we continue to build. I also thank God for each of you—ministers, local preachers, church stewards, circuit stewards, worship leaders, Treasurers, Property stewards, lay staff, volunteers, children, young people, and members—whose gifts and faithful service bear witness to the love of Christ in our communities.

 

John Wesley reminded the early Methodists that "the world is my parish." Those words continue to challenge and inspire us today. Our calling is not simply to maintain our churches but to participate in God's mission beyond our church walls, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed, welcoming the stranger, serving our neighbours, and standing alongside those who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalised.

 

Our Circuit is richly blessed by its cultural diversity, varied communities, and many gifts. Diversity is not a challenge to be overcome but a gift to be embraced. Together we reflect something of the beauty of God's Kingdom, where people from every nation, tribe and language gather in worship before the throne of God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to cultivate communities where every person is welcomed, respected, valued and encouraged to use their God-given gifts in the service of Christ.

 

The Methodist Church reminds us of our calling:

 

"The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission."

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Everything we do must flow from this calling. Good worship should inspire mission. Prayer should shape action. Discipleship should transform lives. Our fellowship should reflect God's generous love. Let our hospitality be real. It is not to do with the tea, coffee, and cakes we share with others but it is creating an atmosphere where people even the stranger can encounter God.

 

The Methodist Way of Life invites us to continue growing as disciples by praying daily, worshipping regularly, caring for one another, serving our communities, challenging injustice, living generously and sharing our faith. These simple but profound commitments provide a faithful pattern for Christian living and remind us that holiness is not merely personal but social. As John Wesley famously taught, "There is no holiness but social holiness." Our faith is lived in relationship—with God, with one another and with the communities we are called to serve.

 

As your Superintendent Minister, I come not with all the answers but with a listening heart. I look forward to worshipping with you, visiting each church, learning your stories, celebrating your ministries, and discerning together where God is leading us in the years ahead.

 

Leadership in the Methodist Church is never the work of one person. It is shared ministry, exercised through our connexional life as together we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul encourages us: "Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3) Unity is not about everyone thinking alike. Rather, it is about allowing Christ to be at the centre of our life together. When Christ is our focus, our diversity becomes our strength, our differences become opportunities for learning, and our shared mission becomes our common purpose.

 

As we begin this new chapter together, I invite every church and every member to pray for a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit across our Circuit. Let us ask God to renew our passion for worship, deepen our discipleship, strengthen our fellowship, inspire new leaders, nurture children, and young people, and equip us to reach those who have never encountered the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

 

The challenges facing the Church today are real, but so are the opportunities. God is still calling people. Lives are still being transformed. Communities are still longing for hope. The Holy Spirit is still at work. Therefore, let us move forward with confidence, trusting not in our ownstrength but in the faithfulness of God. Please pray for me as I begin this ministry, just as I assure you of my prayers for each one of you. May we encourage one another, support one another, and seek together to become the people God is calling us to be.

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I leave you with the words of St Paul:

 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20–21)

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 

Yours in the service of Christ,

 

The Revd Chris Sandy

Superintendent Minister

Barking, Dagenham, and Ilford Methodist Circuit 35/31