Supernumeraries' Gifts and Needs Group
Supernumeraries' Gifts and Needs Group
When ministers ‘sit down’ there are significant adjustments to be made in the way we relate to ourselves, our families, our church, and even to God.
Thus on Sept 1st we find ourselves moving on from the role we have occupied perhaps for many years and in which we have had a clear role to play. Whilst for some this may come as a relief, for others there may be a sense of loss and lack of clarity about what they should be doing in retirement. The picture for individual supernumeraries will be very varied with some feeling that sense of loss, whilst others finding life not only to be as full as ever it was, but also discovering the opportunity for new experiences for which time was previously unavailable.
In the Southampton District the ministry of supernumeraries is valued through service in our local churches, helping neighbouring circuits when there is a shortage of active ministers, getting involved in the local community, and so on. In some Circuits supernumeraries value the care they receive from ministerial colleagues both active and retired, and some have found a new lease of life as different avenues of service are explored. This pattern of support, however, is varied and we seek ways of improving it.
The District Supernumeraries Gifts and Needs Group was set up in 2016 in response to concern that at least some supernumeraries felt under-valued, under-used, and un-cared for. The well-being of colleagues is therefore of paramount importance and in response to the issues above, we seek to…
- contact all newly retired supernumeraries in the District to offer a welcome, a listening ear, and encouragement.
- Make sure that those supernumeraries who, with the passing years, have become more frail are cared for. Many supernumerary colleagues in the same circuit, and indeed the superintendent and other active colleagues, are active in this caring work. We feel sure, however, that there may still be some who feel isolated and un-cared for, as well as others who might be experiencing particular difficulties for a while. We hope to be able to offer a pastoral response to such needs in consultation with District and Circuit colleagues. The well-being of colleagues is therefore paramount to the work of the group.
- Explore ways in which meetings with retired colleagues can be enabled so that sharing similar life-experiences can be encouraged.
- Press for the needs of supernumeraries to be considered by the Connexion, District and Circuits
If you would like to know more, or feel that you might be able to offer support to the work of the group, please contact Rev Stephen Maunder, group-convenor, for more information.
This information is placed here by the District Supernumeraries’ Gifts and Needs Group.
District Reconciliation Group
The District Reconciliation Group is here to help with advice and support:
- by offering assistance to achieve reconciliation between people who are in dispute with each other, and
- by fulfilling the requirement of Standing Order 1111 (4): To respond to requests for assistance when a formal complaint has been made and in such additional circumstances as the District may decide.
- by making training in PWT known and accessible
- Funding from the District Group for Learning and Discipleship is available for people taking training.
Please contact Rev Jenny Ellis
WHAT WE BELIEVE
At the September Synod in 2014 the District agreed the following Positive Working Together policy:
No one in the District should experience bullying or harassment. Anyone who does have this experience can engage the person exhibiting this behaviour, using the Shared Commitment Document which we have all agreed shall be the basis for our relating and working together.
This was taken up by the whole Church and the Conference of 2015 issued guidelines, including the following definition:
Any behaviour, always involving a misuse of power, which an individual or group knows, or ought reasonably to know, could have the potential effect of offending, humiliating, intimidating or isolating an individual or group should be regarded as unacceptable. ‘Unacceptable behaviour’ changes its label to ‘bullying’ or ‘harassing behaviour’ when it causes actual harm or distress to the target(s), normally, but not exclusively, after a series of incidents over a prolonged period of time.
The full guidelines and a short guide to them can be found on the Methodist Church website here
GLaD
‘GLaD (Group for Learning and Discipleship) is responsible to the DPC (District Policy Committee) and reports to it.
GLaD has the following functions:
1. Agree sabbatical prospectuses and receive the post sabbatical report
2. Approve grant applications from lay and ordained with respect to learning.
3. Champion discipleship, learning and vocation in close partnership with the Learning Network.
GLaD provides a focussed space for a two-way conversation between the District representatives (e.g. MWiB, LP/WL) and the Learning Network. The conversation should permit intentional and creative communication between the deliverers and recipients of learning.’
Contacts
Chair: Rev John Yarrien
Secretary: Mrs Fran Jenkins
Grant Application form available from this site, Fran Jenkins or Sarah Pothecary
Links to organisations
Action for Children: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/
IBEX - Churches working with the Economy: https://www.ibexsouthcoast.org.uk