Richmond & Hounslow Methodist Circuit

Who we are

The Richmond & Hounslow Circuit stretches from the River Thames at Putney almost to the boundary of Heathrow Airport, with many areas of beautiful parkland and historical interest. It is economically and racially mixed, with extremes of affluence and deprivation. A significant minority of the population is highly transitory, only residing in the area for a few years or less, owing both to patterns of migration and the cost of living. The Circuit’s churches simultaneously witness in some of the richest and poorest parts of London, facing a huge variety of needs and challenges.

The Circuit comprises seven congregations in south-west London, with an approximate membership of 272 (November, 2022). The staff team currently consists of two presbyters, two deacons, a Lay Pastor, based at Chiswick but working across the Circuit, and a part-time circuit administrator. The Circuit includes Raleigh Road United Church in Richmond (a Methodist/URC LEP), which is currently served by a URC minister with whom we work closely. There are good links with Southlands College (Roehampton University) and the Susannah Wesley Foundation. Roehampton Methodist Church is part of the Ecumenical Parish of Roehampton, in partnership with the Church of England.

Many of our churches reflect the wider picture of British Methodism with smaller, older congregations, facing difficulties in finding volunteers and managing their properties. Several congregations, however, are much more diverse and active, and can draw upon significant human and financial resources. The churches are committed to their life of worship and prayer, and several have active Bible study groups. The congregations reflect the multicultural nature of the area. They worship both in older buildings – including two Grade II listed churches – and newer ones. Some have received significant investment in recent years and most are well-used by a wide range of community groups.

Individually, our churches are engaged in various projects to support the neediest in their communities. Barnes hosts a winter night shelters for the homeless. Chiswick runs the CEDARS youth club, reaching out to largely un-churched children, as well as stroke and dementia clubs. Hounslow provides a Warm Space and free evening meals to those needing support. Putney has recently started offering hospitality to local asylum seekers. Raleigh Road United Church supports the Richmond Sunday lunch scheme, offering food and fellowship to those in need. Roehampton is the centre of the Circuit’s Urban Mission project, which seeks to witness to the Alton housing estate, one of the poorest areas of south-west. The Circuit has supported all of this work in various ways.

In the past year, Hounslow has offered hospitality and support to a Gujarati Fellowship and is pursuing closer links. The Circuit has also created a new diaconal post based in Barnes and Richmond, which seeks both to enhance the life and worship of the existing congregations and to explore new ways of connecting local people with faith.

In recent years, the Circuit has sadly had to close three chapels. The sites have now been sold (or are in the process of being so) and the Circuit is using the funds released to support its wider mission and secure its long-term future. In the last years, it has provided generous funding for a number of projects across the churches, including infrastructure projects and support for lay employment roles. It has also overseen the complete renewal of two of its manses, tackling long-term issues and creating properties that will meet its future needs for many years to come.

Our culture and values

Our Vision as a Circuit is to be a beacon of Christian witness and welcome to all, actively supporting a flourishing network of churches, worshipping and serving in their own contexts.

The calling of the Circuit is to facilitate and support local churches as they pursue the mission of the wider Church, as set out in the Our Calling strategy: “to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission”. In particular, to:

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

The Circuit will do this through the responsible stewardship and effective oversight of all its resources (human, financial and property). It will effectively fulfil its responsibilities as required by the Methodist Church, the Charity Commission and all relevant regulations.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The Richmond & Hounslow Circuit is fully committed to the Strategy for Justice, Dignity, and Solidarity, adopted by the Methodist Conference in 2021.  The strategy aims to help the Methodist Church become fully inclusive and to assist the process of embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) throughout the Connexion.

The strategy aims:

• for the rich diversity of people within the Methodist Church to be recognised as a cause for thanksgiving, celebration and praise;
• to eradicate all discrimination and coercive control within the Methodist Church, and for all people to be treated justly and with dignity across the breadth of the Methodist Church

The purpose of this policy is to support the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit in their commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity and the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination. We value and embrace diversity and our intention is to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach in all fields of its activity.

The Richmond & Hounslow Circuit adheres to The Equality Act 2010 which recognises the following specific protected characteristics: sex, gender reassignment, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership and pregnancy & maternity. It does not discriminate because of any  factors irrelevant to the requirements of the role and will reinforce  our culture which values meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency on an ongoing basis.