I have been asked to write a few words reflecting on Revd David’s ministry amongst us at Woodhouse Close Church. Recognising that these things tend towards hagiography here goes.
David came to us at a time of uncertainty. Our own priest had left us rather speedily and the Anglican diocese had said it was not going to replace her and that we were to be included in the larger parish of Bishop Auckland, with St Anne’s In the market place as a remote mother church which was to be given most of the financial and Human Resources. It had been stated that part of St Anne’s remit was to ‘plant a church’ in Woodhouse Close which had many of us wondering what we were doing here!
It was therefore a welcome surprise when the Methodist District stepped in with Anglican agreement and David arrived fresh from his extensive experience as a hospital chaplain as circuit superintendent with pastoral responsibility for us and other churches, as is the Methodist way.
He therefore brought much needed stability and the promise of longer term Methodist Presbyteral leadership to our life together than we were expecting. Naturally leadership, and to some extent the life of our church, took on a more Methodist flavour than had been the case. And David faced the difficult task of heading up a circuit and leading a Local Ecumenical Partnership with a strong tradition of community involvement at a time when traditional churches are shrinking, the nature of ordained ministry is changing and the demands of such ministry are more diverse and more acute than in previous years, with much less person power to meet them. One practical outcome of those demands for us was that when David was here on a Sunday our worship began 30 minutes early in order for David to lead worship in at least two more churches each Sunday plus a telephone service whose participants were delighted to worship together in such an innovative way. Another was the proscription of alcohol on church premises which caused problems for the bottle stall at church fayres. This didn’t affect its takings however!
There have been some of us who wonder where David managed to find the energy and stamina to maintain these commitments amongst so many other demands on his time and energy. Perhaps the answer lies in his practice of beginning each day quietly with God in a more contemplative personal spirituality which empowers as well as challenges its participants. On a personal note, David has asked me to undertake various tasks while he’s been here and has always shown appreciation when I’ve been able to say yes but more significantly, has been graciously understanding when I’ve (increasingly in recent years) found it necessary to turn down most of his requests.
He will be missed, and I’m sure we all wish him well and will support him and his wife in prayer, as he sits down from more active ministry and embarks on what we trust will be a long, joyful and peaceful retirement as we thank God for his time amongst us. Hopefully, he will also be thankful for his time with us.
Revd Barry Hutchinson