Local Preachers' Secretary to leave for new appointment

Rev Peter Barber has agreed to become the superintendent of the Harpenden circuit in the London North West District from September 2002. He is currently the Connexional secretary for Local Preachers in the Methodist Church.

The appointment in Harpenden includes pastoral charge of a church with one of the largest memberships in Methodism. Although his current appointment was not due for renewal until 2003 it was recognised by the Stationing Matching Group and the Harpenden circuit that Peter's gifts and experiences made him ideally suited for the new appointment. He is concerned for the centrality of worship. He is creative in developing alternative patterns of worship and caring for a broad range of people in and beyond the church. He is capable of working collaboratively with both lay and ordained colleagues.

Local preachers and colleagues in the Formation in Ministry office will be sorry to see Peter go. Plans are being made to ensure that major projects such as the revision of Faith & Worship are close to completion by the time he leaves. A successor to him will be sought as a matter of urgency.

Announcement by Rev Ken Howcroft, Connexional Secretary for Presbyteral Ministry