A Snapshot of God's Work around the Circuit in 2025

Doncaster
Methodist Circuit Roundup of 2025

In January, a Leading Worship for Beginners course and an
Introduction to PowerPoint course were offered. Both courses received highly
positive feedback from participants.

In February,
Harworth Methodist Church hosted the District Supernumeraries winter lunch. The
event began with a brief service led by District Chair Rev Gill Newton and
Pastor Sean Worsley, followed by a three-course hot meal served in the hall.
Everyone who attended had an enjoyable time.

In March, Harworth Methodist Church marked its 100th anniversary
with a service led by former Pastor Alice Curry, followed by a bring-and-share
lunch.

St Andrew’s Methodist Church celebrated its 109th anniversary
with worship led by former Minister Rev Arthur Harbottle.

Flintwood Methodist Church launched a monthly Wednesday craft
afternoon for both new and experienced crafters.

April and the Circuit were encouraged to join the P4D (Passion
for Doncaster) joint churches walk from the Minster to the Corn Exchange, which
concluded with a Good Friday service.

During April, an idea began to take shape within the Circuit
regarding the potential employment of an Anna Chaplain, a suggestion made by Mr
Roger Thirlwell. Anna Chaplains are non-denominational spiritual carers who
support older people unable to attend church.

May – Stainforth Methodist
Church held a 80th Anniversary VE Day Thanksgiving service followed
by a tea.

The Easter Offering Service
took place at Sprotbrough Methodist Church (SMC) with guest preacher Rev Andrew
Ashdowne, with an afternoon tea held prior to the service.

In June, Barnby Dun Methodist Church marked its sesquicentennial
celebration (150 years). An open house with refreshments was held on Saturday,
featuring memorabilia displays for attendees to view and reminisce. On Sunday,
a service led by Rev. Tom Read included the dedication of a new cross installed
on the church’s exterior wall.

A Parent & Toddler group
was set up in Dunsville to serve the families of the area.

In July, Cantley Methodist
Church hosted a Circuit Service of Farewell for the outgoing District Chair Rev Gill
Newton.

September saw SMC hosting the
Alpha course and Harvest season was upon us with many churches collecting
donations of food to be sent to various foodbanks throughout the City.

Alder Grove Methodist Church welcomed a local preparatory school
for a brief service. The students participated by singing hymns and engaging in
activities designed to highlight the significance of harvest and the value of
sharing before bringing their gifts of food.

Harvest Festival services
continued into October. Cantley
Methodist Church hosted a concert by – jBM Saxophonquartett from Germany, who donated
their time for free. All ticket sales were
donated to the Doncaster Food Bank.

The
Circuit was delighted to employ Mr Roger Thirlwell as the Circuit and District’s
very first Anna Chaplain.

Tickhill
Methodist Church also hosted an Organ Recital by Mr John Marsden with proceeds
to the church and charity.

In
November churches across the Circuit decorated with poppies in remembrance of
those lost in war and held their service of Remembrance.

Adwick-Le-Street,
Alder Grove, Auckley and Cantley Methodist Churches gathered together their
Shoeboxes to be distributed to children across the world. This year Auckley Methodist Church sent their
127 shoeboxes to Ukraine.

The
Circuit Advent Service took place at Cantley Methodist Church.

December
– St Andrew’s held their annual Candlelight Service with money donated to
Action for Children. Alder Grove
Methodist Church hosted the Doncaster Hospice Memorial Service. Harworth Methodist Church held their annual
Christmas Tree Festival with trees decorated by local schools, businesses and groups.

Tickhill Methodist Church Craft and Chat have knitted approx 2480 angels, each with a message tag from the church. They have been distributed throughout Tickhill – left in shops, in hedges, on car ariels, had delivered to houses, businesses and care homes. Received with joy!

Tickhill Methodist Outreach
team held their Christmas appeal – this year collecting chocolate bars and
donations of money to buy thermal water bottles. Over 60 care packages were put together for
the homeless and vulnerable of Doncaster.

Various carol services, Nativity
service, Christingle services and Christmas Day services held across the
Circuit.

CONNECT Contemporary Worship
services at Tickhill continued throughout the year mostly led by Rev John Henry,
with a couple of services taken by Pastor Sean Worsley and Local Preacher Chris
Ogley. These services will continue into
2026.

Rev Tom Read continued with
Weekday Holy Communion held at SMC. This will continue throughout 2026. A
trial of Taizé style Communion began at the start of the new Connexional year
and held at Adwick-Le-Street Methodist Church.
Sadly, due to low numbers this service will no longer take place.

The RE Team with Aimee at the
helm continues important work in schools around Doncaster and the Open the Book
sessions within schools.

The Mission Matters Forum met
throughout the year, an opportunity to discuss mission and what matters for local
mission, mission in Britain and world mission.
This will continue into the new year.

Circuit Prayer Breakfast
continues on the second Saturday of each month.
This is hosted by a different church in the Circuit each month. This is open to anyone to attend – with a
light breakfast and then time of prayer.

Bible study groups led by our Minstry Team – Rev John Henry, Rev Tom Read, Pastor Sean Worsley, Pastor Liz Worsley – some long
standing, some new – continue throughout the Circuit at Barnby Dun, Cantley, Flintwood,
Hatfield Woodhouse and Tickhill.

A new Prayer Time at Thorne
takes place on the 3rd Saturday of the month. The weekly Zoom Prayer meeting hosted by
Flintwood Methodist Church continues to meet each Tuesday evening.

Baby Basics won the Doncaster
Mumbler Community Impact Award, recognized for providing
essential items to families and supporting the local community. They provided over 230 Moses basket starter
packs and over 300 cots/cot-beds through the Safe Space to Sleep project.

Tickhill Methodist Outreach
Team continue to provide food and support to homeless and vulnerable people in
Doncaster. Each Monday evening providing
food outside Christ Church. This year
they won a grant of £1000 from the Tesco Stronger Starts programme.

Various charity coffee
mornings and Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter fayres held throughout the year.