Seven wonderful years
Revd David Crouchley reflects on his years serving as Minister for the Sedbergh Methodist Circuit.
In 2013 I retired due to ill health after three years of rest and relaxation I felt ready to do something else, I was asked if I would come to Sedbergh and work ‘two days’ a week.
My wife Sarah and I had a conversation and agreed that we would be happy to come to Sedbergh. On arrival we immediately realised that in the Western Dales, a strong Community Spirit exists, something that sadly has disappeared in many areas. In the first few weeks of living here we had ample donations of cakes and meals.
The Methodist Church in the Western Dales has gone through a transformation in the last few years, and it has been a privilege to journey with them. We have merged a number of Chapels, i.e. in Garsdale and Dent, the Chapel in Dent has had a major refurbishment and is now used by many community groups. In both Garsdale and Dent, the Chapels work closely with the Church of England congregations. In Sedbergh our New Street Church has undergone a major refurbishment, we are delighted that members of the former URC have joined us and together we have renamed the Church, Cornerstone Community Church, we enjoy a close relationship with St Andrews.
For me one of the most positive things about the area, is the growing working together of the Churches, joint activities and joint Services, the sharing of Clergy. The appointment of a Pioneer Minister (Becca Gilbert) supported by the URC, Methodist and Anglican Churches. On my retirement the Rev Andy Burgess will act as the Methodist Minister alongside his current responsibilities, this is groundbreaking Ecumenical working together. We believe that it is a way of working together in a Rural area, that is imaginative, sustainable and Ecumenical. The Western Dales Mission Community is the group that develops the closer working together of the various Churches.
I have wandered the roads and lanes around the Western Dales and particularly the Main Street in Sedbergh, and it has led to many meaningful conversations. I call it ‘loitering with intent’, immersing yourself in the local community!
The years have flown by, ‘they do when you are enjoying yourself’, we had the challenges of Covid-19, and of course bereavements and other challenging situations, but these were counterbalanced by many happy and joyful situations.
Sarah and I were delighted when our daughter (Becky), husband (Marco) and family moved to Sedbergh, it has been wonderful to see the three grandsons on a regular basis. We will be moving to Hornby, just outside Kirkby Lonsdale at the end of July, but we will be regular visitors to the Western Dales. Thank you for making us feel so welcome, we will never forget you.