A MAJOR reorganisation of the Methodist Church in York is on the way, involving the merging of its north and south circuits.

The new York Methodist Circuit will have a total membership of more than 1,800 people, worshipping at 37 churches and centres across the city and surrounding countryside.

It will be led by Rev Philip Turner, who is the superintendent Minister for the circuit as well as Minister for Haxby and Wigginton .

He said his role was to “inspire the circuit towards outreach and mission, building teams, enabling collaborative working and inspiring a vision of God’s future.”

He said he hoped that by pooling resources, Methodists would be better able to meet the needs of those at the margins of society – perhaps people struggling with debt or addiction problems – as well as offering something to the millions of people who visit York each year.

Mr Turner said the Circuit would support all the churches in the district by providing opportunities for members to use their gifts, interests and resources and will develop effective means of communication between people and congregations.

There would also be some changes to the churches served by some of the ministers.

The new circuit will be launched on Saturday, when a service to celebrate the beginning of the new circuit and welcome new staff will be held at Central Methodist Church in St Saviourgate at 7.30pm.

A circuit roadshow is also planned, which will visit various churches to explain new ways of working and the new decision-making processes.

It will visit Acomb Methodist Church on Friday, September 14, Clifton on Friday, September 28, Easingwold on Saturday, September 29 and Poppleton on Friday, October 5. It will start at Acomb, Clifton and Poppleton at 7.30pm and at Easingwold at 10am.