Sheffield Circuit Groups

Sheffield Circuit groups take a lead in supervising and directing the different aspects of the Circuit’s work. These groups then provide summaries of progress, concerns and matters for decision or wider strategic consideration to Circuit Leadership Team (CLT), and then onto the Circuit Meeting.

Please see the image (right) of the relationship and flow of decision making between the Circuit groups, CLT and the Circuit Meeting.

Circuit Leading Team (CLT)

The Circuit Leading Team exists to serve, guide and co-ordinate the life of the circuit. Its members are the legal and managing trustees of the circuit.

Mission Action Group

This new group will work towards creating an overarching strategy of Methodism and understand how the Circuit groups fit into the missional priorities and relate to each other.

What is the role of MAG? Please see the Terms of Reference (September 2026) below which focuses the work of the MAG.

• To provide a constructive listening space for new initiatives and ideas, in local churches
• Outline missional priorities/proposals to CLT
• Recommend appropriate governance structures, as they are needed
• Conduit for all Circuit groups and reports to CLT
• Forum of Chairs of Circuit Groups (membership)

Sheffield Circuit Groups

1. Staffing Strategy

• Manage the staffing of new Circuit lay employees including reviewing job role and responsibilities
• Plan for the future Circuit lay employees, to support the Circuit team in an effective manner

Chair – Debora Marschner, Superintendent

2. Invitations Committee

• Manage consultations, prepare profiles, letters of invitation and organise matching visits regarding re-invitations, invitations and curtailment of appointment of ordained and probationary minsters
• Plan for the future presbyteral and diaconal ministry needs of the circuit, for complementary ministries such as lay pastors
• At all times follow Connexional guidance regarding the stationing process

Chair – Debora Marschner, Superintendent

3. Circuit Lay Employment Group (CLEG)

• Ensure that appropriate HR documentation is in place and processes followed for all circuit and church lay employees
• Scrutinise job descriptions, person specifications and terms & conditions of service for legal compliance
• In case of direct replacement roles with no wider strategic implications, to grant approval to recruit and notify CLT
• In case of new roles or replacement roles with wider strategic implications, to make recommendations about recruitment to Circuit Meeting
• Review terms and conditions of existing circuit lay employees for consistency and appropriateness for the work undertaken

Chair – Jenny Bywaters, CLT

4.     Property Development Group (PDG)

• Assess chapels coming into circuit trusteeship for missional value, community value and financial value.
• For major projects prior approval should be obtained from the Circuit Meeting, usually via the Development Plan.
• For other projects, the Property Development Group operates with delegated authority and will provide CLT with a list of authorisations it has given.
• Operate within agreed budget(s), recognising that this is entrepreneurial mission operating from within constrained financial resources.

Chair – Currently recruiting 

5. Manses Group

• Manage and maintain circuit estate of manses and manage property consents system for these properties
• Develop an income stream from manses not currently required for housing of ministers
• Buy and sell manses as required to ensure that fit for purpose housing is available
• Working within the maintenance spend and lettings income budget approved by the Circuit Meeting
• For church property projects, provide circuit property consent
• For major projects prior approval should be obtained from the Circuit Meeting
• Oversee quinquennials for churches and manses

Chair – Debora Marschner, Superintendent

6. Communications Group

• Design and implement a proactive communications strategy for the circuit, linked to casting the net on the other side
• Create, launch and maintain Circuit Information Hub – directory of missional work across the circuit and key contacts for this
• Build trust through sharing circuit decision-making e.g. brief summary following CLT and Circuit Meetings
• Interactions with other groups
• Liaise with other groups for themes, decisions and other news to share

Chair – Katrin Hackett, CLT

7. Eco (Environmental) Group

• To promote good environmental practices across the Circuit, in part response to the Action for Hope
• Promote Care for God’s planet as a priority by all churches in the Circuit.
• Encourage churches to register and achieve A Rocha eco awards
• Offer ideas and share good practice across the circuit, primarily through a revised website and regular items in the newsletter
• Develop and manage the Circuit Environmental Action Plan and keep up to date

Chair – Maryke Turvey, CLT

8. Grants Group

• Scrutinise grant applications from churches and recommend grants for approval by the circuit meeting
• Working within the grants budget approved by the Circuit Meeting
• Obtain and review evaluations of grants previously made
• Keep under review the effectiveness of grants programmes and criteria, seeking CLT approval for changes to programmes.
• Prepare reports for Circuit Meeting and CLT of grants proposed and impact of previous grants

Chair – Arthur Lyons, CLT

9. Finance Group

• In consultation with CLT and other groups, prepare an annual budget for approval by the Circuit Meeting
• Monitor compliance with budget throughout the year
• Provide regular information about the financial position of the circuit to CLT to support its strategic decision making
• Prepare and file audited annual report and financial statements
• Ensure that sufficient controls and processes are in place to protect the financial assets of the circuit
• Make sufficient financial information available to other groups and budget holders to support their work
• Manage restricted funds and trusts held by the circuit

Chair – Matt Irons, Circuit Treasurer

10. Safeguarding Group

• Oversee safeguarding culture across churches, including review of and response to annual self-audits
• Create a supportive community of practice for church safeguarding officers and work with them to develop new approaches
• Provide a pool of people with expertise for circuit safeguarding officers to turn to for advice
• Organise Foundation Module training
• Prepare safeguarding policies for the circuit’s own activities for approval by Circuit Meeting and ensure implementation

Chair – Maryke Turvey, CLT