Shrewsbury

Rev Derrick R Lander

Like my colleagues, it is for me a privilege to be serving in the Shrewsbury Methodist Circuit, and learning very quickly what a wonderful town Shrewsbury is. With its ancient tradition as a centre for commerce, and with a growing reputation as a place of historical and modern cultural interest, Shrewsbury is a good place to be from both a working or personal point of view.In particular it is a joy being part of a Christian community that has a real concern for growing together in faith and in reaching out to others, a concern built upon good
congregations in which people care for and about each other, and a God-given desire to help others find their place within the church family and their participation in its life.As one of the circuit's ministers but the latest arrival having moved to Shrewsbury in
September 2007, I look forward the future and to working alongside committed and
conscientious colleagues, and enjoying good friendship and fellowship on the way. I am by nature a conviction minister - and believe that God really does have a plan for his churchand for people everywhere, and our challenge is to recognise where and in what ways God is at work and join with Him in what is for most of the time a wonderful adventure in faith.My personal circumstances are as a married man with three grown-up children - all now having left the family home and enjoying their own independent lives. That leaves Janet (my wife) and I to enjoy the times when we can visit them, or use our spare time exploring the Shropshire countryside; visiting wonderful places of interest, or simply relaxing at home or in the garden.

Derrick R. Lander

Rev Frances Biseker

I was delighted when I was appointed to serve in the Shrewsbury Circuit; I have lived in some beautiful places in Britain, and now Shropshire is going to be another one of them. Already I’ve had the chance to walk in the Long Mynd and Stipperstones, and have felt in awe of the majestic landscape. I grew up in Coventry, where many of my friends and family still are, and have lived in places as far apart as St Ives in Cornwall, and Driffield in the East Yorkshire Wolds, where I served my first appointment as a Minister. In 1990 I moved to the York South Circuit, and then in 1998 I moved to the Stourvalley Circuit, which is just next door to Stourbridge. Over the years it has been such a privilege to be part of so many Church communities. I have been moved by people’s depth of faith and commitment to the Christian life, and felt honoured when I have had the opportunity to stand alongside them in both the pain and joy if life. I have also valued greatly those moments when the Church has connected in a real way with the local community, and have found a way of serving the needs of others. There are many things I enjoy doing in ministry, but one of the things I find close to my heart, is finding creative ways of worshipping God. A lot of the time it can be the simplest of things – finding the still presence of Christ through gazing upon a beautiful picture, or singing a song that has been written with fresh vision and insight. All of us have a God-given creative ability, which the Spirit longs to wake up in our hearts. Our faith is a journey; one in which we grow ever closer to Christ and deeper in our knowledge of him. I look forward to sharing in the life of Christ with you.

Frances.