In September 1974 most of us at Fulwood were welcoming the Reverend Michael Wearing, his wife Elizabeth, and their two young children Paula and Jonathan. They had come to us from Harrogate and were looking forward to a successful ministry amongst us - after seven years at Fulwood we were not to be disappointed.

There are still a few of us in the congregation who served as Church Stewards during Michael’s ministry - all male I have to say since that was the tradition at the time, and only four at any one time!

As Stewards we quickly became aware of his ability to serve, his capacity for work and his efficiency in administrative matters. He had, and still has, his own distinctive style of preaching as we witnessed again recently when he conducted both the morning and evening services at Fulwood.

We will all have our own individual memories of Michael whether it was at times of sickness or bereavement, or more happier times at baptisms, weddings or his work among the young people - many of whom are now fast approaching younger middle age! Others will remember him and also Elizabeth for the contribution they made to the various groups in the Church, and to Church holidays at Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. No doubt some of the men folk will remember the men’s dinner club, and the excellent speakers that Michael invited to talk to us after we had eaten.

Some of the current issues such as find raising and the Circuit Assessment were also very much matters of concern, although the scale of construction for the car park at the rear of the Church was a few degrees of magnitude less than our present proposals!

We are pleased that during the last twelve years that Michael has served the District as Chairman, Elizabeth chose to worship with us and took an active part in our church life including being a member of the choir and the Church Council. Now, after 26 years since we first met them, their children have grown up. Michael and Elizabeth are grandparents, and the hourglass has persuaded Michael to call an end to his full time ministry and his chairmanship of the North Lancashire District .

As Michael and Elizabeth prepare to leave us and return once again to Harrogate, we thank them for the contribution they have made to the well being of the church here at Fulwood. We wish them well and pray that they may find fulfilment in their new environment and new way of life - an experience familiar to all the Church Stewards who served with Michael a generation ago.

"Proud Preston" has played a significant role in my life and ministry. That’s actually quite surprising for a Yorkshireman! My first links with Preston were in 1960 when I spent a month in the Preston Trinity circuit on a placement from Hartley Victoria College. I spent a month in a training situation shadowing Revd Ronald Jobling who was the minister at Fulwood and Ingol. Some years later - after Ordination at the Preston Conference - I was stationed in the Circuit and became the minister of those two churches. That was from 1974-81, happy and exciting days with a growing family and a fulfilling ministry. We made many friends, and were enriched by the commitment and faithfulness of so many people.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would return to live in Preston in 1988. I was asked to move from Harpenden - one of the largest churches in Methodism - to become the Chairman of the North Lancashire District. So, for the last twelve years I have been based in Preston with an overseeing role of Methodist work and witness throughout the county of Lancashire.

That work has entailed a good deal of travelling, but most of all has opened doors into a wide variety of Methodist churches and communities. It has been an immense privilege to be an accepted part of the life and witness of the 150 churches in the District. Some are strong and vibrant, others are quite small, a significant number are struggling against considerable odds. I have seen my role to be an encourager - and sometimes that has been to face stark reality and take difficult decisions. The Chairman has sometimes to ask the questions. He/she must never interfere!

There is a growing tendency for local churches to become a bit independent. One of the strengths of Methodism is for us to plan our work in close conjunction with other Methodist congregations in the area - that’s why we have circuits. A decade ago the Methodist witness around Preston was reshaped by the restructuring of the two circuits - Preston Trinity and Preston (Lune Street and Orchard) into Preston and South Ribble. We also have Districts which have a key role in monitoring the use of resources - human and material - so that the work of Christ is maintained and advanced in the most effective way possible. To be honest, that wider perspective does not always match the vision and wishes of local congregations, which can become a little insular and apparently self- contained.

I cannot emphasise too strongly the need for Circuits as a whole to address matters of strategic planning, possible development and assessment of strengths and weaknesses. The resources available to us are limited and must be employed to the best effect - and I am always aware that Methodism has thrived and grown when the strong are being prepared to help the weaker - that is mission.

These days, I believe it is essential that we take on board the ecumenical dimension of our work. We sometimes pay lip service to this, but do not take it seriously. It is one thing to do things ecumenically - that is to have joint services etc., from time to time, but we’ve been doing that all my ministry. It’s fine to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, but people have been praying like this for longer than most of us have lived. I am aware that the relationships are not always easy between denominations - but then there are some strains within churches and denominations. For what it is worth, my belief is that we have just to keep working at it. Above all, make sure that all partnerships and possibilities of ecumenical co-operation are formally agreed.

I know that the Preston Circuit, along with many others, is facing up to challenge and opportunity in a positive and encouraging way. I wish you well.

Elizabeth and I face new opportunities and challenge in retirement. In the summer we shall be moving to Harrogate. Meanwhile, I express a word of gratitude to Preston - and to your Circuit in particular - for much friendship and shared faith over the years. We shall not be far away; you will be even closer in our thoughts and prayers.

With every blessing.

Yours sincerely,