Methodist minister takes up leadership role on the Isle of Man
A Methodist minister has moved to the Isle of Man to begin a newrole as district chair for the island.
The Revd Richard Hall, who will take up his appointment on 1September, will be officially welcomed to the island at a specialservice at Castletown Methodist Church, on 5 September at 7.30pm.The Revd Dr. Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of The MethodistChurch, will speak at the service.
"My wife and I come to the Isle of Man with a strong sense ofGod's calling and being in the right place at the right time," saidRichard. "We are very much looking forward to settling into life onthe Isle of Man and getting to know people, as we become a part ofthe community here, in this exciting new phase ofministry."
The Methodist Church has a strong presence in the Isle of Manwith 33 churches located across the island. There are eight activeministers, a number of lay employees and many local preachers andother voluntary workers.
Richard was born in Sheffield where he attended EndcliffeMethodist Church until leaving home at the age of 18 to train as ateacher. Richard and his wife Ruth met at The University of London,Trent Park College of Education, where Richard was studying Craft,Design and Technology and Ruth was studying Drama in preparationfor a career as a primary school teacher. They married twelvemonths after leaving college and have two sons.
In 1985 Richard and Ruth followed a call to ministry, which tookthe family from St. John's Methodist Church Swinton in SouthYorkshire to Wesley College Bristol for three years. After collegean initial appointment in the Brigg Circuit in Lincolnshire wasfollowed by Ambleside and then Penrith in The Cumbria District.
Richard brings experience as a synod secretary, ecumenicalofficer and member of The Methodist Council to this newappointment. His 24 years of active ministry have included 22 yearsas a circuit superintendent.
An image of the Revd Richard Hall is available to download fromMethodist Media Flickr stream