There was a good turnout at Trinity Church on Saturday 23 August, when the Revd Georgina Bondzi-Simpson was welcomed as the new Superintendent Minister of the Wantage & Abingdon Methodist Circuit. Georgina has been minister at Trinity and at All Saints in Abingdon for the past year, and now takes on the added responsibility of being minister at Grove, as well as superintending the circuit, which includes eight Methodist churches across Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Wallingford and nearby villages.

The service was led by the Revd Bruce Thompson, alongside the Revd Dr Sonia Hicks, Chair of the Northampton Methodist District, which includes Oxfordshire.

Reflecting on the occasion, Georgina said the word that had stayed with her in preparing for the service was humility. “It’s not just about me,” she told the congregation, “but about all of us being open to God and to each other.”

The circuit has recently reduced the number of ministers from three to two, with lay members and retired ministers now taking a greater part in leading services and activities.

Among those present were the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli, Georgina’s family, and friends from across the area. Afterwards, people gathered in the Conduit Centre to share sandwiches and a generous spread of cakes — so many that they were still being enjoyed after Sunday morning’s services.