Presented to Circuit Meeting 17th April 2008

The Calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. It has four dimensions:

• Worship – to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love;
• Learning and Caring – to help people to learn and grow as Christians through mutual support and care;
• Service – to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice;
• Evangelism – to make more followers of Jesus Christ .

(Conference 1996 and 2000)

This calling is shared with the whole Church of Jesus Christ.

THE CAMBRIDGE CIRCUIT

1. The Circuit’s policy is framed in the light of the Methodist Church’s calling. Through the structures of the Circuit local churches assist each other to respond to their calling, seeking to deploy shared resources effectively to that end.

Partnerships

2. The Circuit will encourage churches, where possible, to work together in partnership with other Christian churches, and in particular to develop the potential of the Methodist Church’s covenant with the Church of England. It will continue to support Local Ecumenical Partnerships.

3. It will maintain effective links with Wesley House, The Leys School, the Universities, Student MethSoc, and with the regional authorities of other churches and will respond positively to Connexional and District initiatives.

Inclusiveness

4. In its witness to the inclusive nature of the love of God, the Circuit is committed to ensuring, so far as circumstances allow, that buildings and activities are open and welcoming to all, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or physical or mental impairment, and that all can contribute their particular gifts to the common life.

5. The Circuit is committed to providing a safe environment for all, including children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to ensuring that each church has an adequate policy and procedures which are observed and regularly reviewed.

Church Life

6. The Circuit will encourage churches, preachers and other leaders of worship to develop worship that is creative, outward-looking and relevant to local needs, as well as being faithful to the Christian tradition.

7. The Circuit will ensure that there is adequate provision of pastoral care, especially for all who are members of, or on the community roll of, the churches.

8. The Circuit will promote training that enables members to be more confident of their faith, equips them to share it effectively and develops their gifts for service within and beyond the church.

The Wider Community

9. The Circuit will support initiatives to share the Christian faith with others, and especially with young people.

10. The Circuit, in partnership where possible with other Christian churches, will seek to respond, as circumstances and resources allow, to the opportunities and needs presented by population growth and housing development in the area.

11. The Circuit will encourage churches to make their premises available for wider community use.

12. The Circuit will support initiatives to promote justice and equality throughout the world, and in particular will encourage local churches to follow a fair trade policy.

13. The Circuit will encourage local churches to use natural resources responsibly.

Staffing

14. The Circuit is committed to maintaining the number of ministers and lay workers required for its present and anticipated future needs.

Accountability

15. The Circuit will ensure responsible management and accountability for buildings, money and other resources and will comply with relevant government and local authority legislation.