"The Circuit is committed to supporting existing children's and youth work in the churches of the circuit, and in seeking new ventures to compliment existing ecumenical projects."
A meeting of the Circuit's Youth Workers had been held at Green Gables. It was a good opportunity to share ideas, strengths and weaknesses with the Youth workers in our circuit. Occasional meetings like this will take place in the future to help with support and resourcing our youth workers.
One outcome was a 15+ house group meeting at Clare's manse fortnightly on Tuesdays from 2^nd Oct This will be supported by Clare, Geoff and other leaders but we are encouraging the young people to run the group themselves - which is what they want.
We are also looking at providing Youth Worship led by young worship leaders - watch this space.

Meetings have been held with contractors and consultants before going out to tender. There is a shortfall of £90,000 mainly due to VAT rules as the plans are now not classed as new build. Burniston asked if anyone would be willing to gift or pledge a donation to help with this shortfall, they do have approx £50,000 promised in grants and they are looking for more grant funding - but it is not easy.

A musical written by Daniel to be performed by the Circuit in March 2008. UPDATE - Next Meeting 10 November 2pm Queen Street to bring the project along further. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Mark explained the serious situation of the shortfall in available ministers in the Methodist church. He asked everyone to go into small groups to discuss the implications if we only had 3 ministers and to come up with some solutions. The following points were made:
§ 4 ministers are fully stretched now so some reduction in Churches would have to made
§ Unite sectors
§ One evening service only
§ Employ a pastoral care worker
§ More joint services
§ Think about joint church councils
§ Employ supernumeraries to take some of the workload
§ Don't automatically think closing churches - think of joining together more and using our buildings.
§ Circuit needs to face up to having two town centre churches each with their own Minister and with people who travel to them from outlying areas. If everyone went to their nearest church, would it make a difference to some churches attendance?
§ More lay workers taking on roles
§ Join ecumenically
§ When joining together circuit wise or ecumenically focus on Jesus and loving one another and then there will be less upset.

Elizabeth Stanforth Sharpe was welcomed and approved by the meeting as the new Local Preacher's Secretary. Elizabeth gave an enthusiastic report reminding us how blessed we are as a circuit with 23 local preachers taking regular services and what a breadth of experience and ministry there is between them. We must not think of the other 13 as inactive as their prayer support is vital. David Robinson and Martin Stanforth Sharpe are on trial - please encourage them and studying and working is not easy. Lesley Tuck is "on note" and it is wonderful to have a young person taking these first steps.
Diane Robinson is working alongside Charles Martin as Tutor.
We are also blessed with a number of worship leaders whose calling is different to that of preachers but totally complimentary. We also need intercessors and that's where you can do your bit - please pray it is more powerful than preaching.

Penlan - hopefully the problems have been resolved, the sale should be complete within the next month or so.
Wesley - Barry Snoxell has submitted application for outline planning permission which should be dealt with in the near future, we can then apply to Manchester for permission to sell.
Staintondale - still ongoing the architect of Cundalls is to meet with a drain specialist.
Manses -Alexandra Park - a new downstairs toilet to be fitted in a re-modelled entrance plans are to be finalised then estimates sought.
Manse Schedules have been give to the Manse Stewards and Schedule A should have been distributed by the staff. Schedule B has been replaced by standard form of accounts. All to be returned by 1 November 2007.
Workshop on 13^th Oct at Northstead - 10 till 12 - should you need any help with Schedules. Contact Paul Maynard if you are going to attend.
Checks to be made on insurance and qualifications of contractors used on Methodist property. We will then have a list of approved contractors which could be made available to the churches - this will not be compulsory list - but churches are asked to check the insurance and qualifications of any contractor they use if they are not on the list.

Provisional end of year surplus of £2500. Shares income slightly lower, but was made up by additional interest and receipts from circuit offertories and other donations. Circuit reserves just over £36,000.
Cash balances have dropped from £57,000 to £33,000, due to expenditure we have not yet been able to recover from Circuit advance fund until it is replenished from the proceeds of the sale of Penlan. The Circuit Advance fund should be back to £50,000 once the sale of Penlan is completed.

16^th October District Projects Day. Focusing on Botton Village, Danby and Uzuakoli, Nigeria Leprosy centre.
1^st November AGM at Queen Street at 2.30pm
7^th December - Advent service at South Cliff at 2.30pm.

4 services - 4 venues - 4 styles - 4 God - There is to be a traditional service, a healing service, a labyrinth/café style and an all age worship on 10^th Feb 08 at 4 different venues Transport will be provided if required. We want to encourage people to try something new. Approved unanimously.
24^th October - Helen Shapiro at Westborough.
FairTrade Business breakfast for members of the business community to meet members of the Scarborough Fair trade Action Group.
Next open meeting 6^th November at the Library where the film "Black Gold" is to be shown. £2.00 per ticket.
Surestart hoping to a launch Homestart to help families with problems and they will be looking to churches for volunteers. Please look out for details of this in the future.
Next meeting 11^th March 2008 at Scalby.