Our Minister : Rev Cameron Stirk
I was born in Skipton (but never remember living there) and have lived in various parts of the North West and Yorkshire including Warrington, Blackburn and Bradford, where I gained my first degree reading Chemistry. After University I became the Youth & Community Worker at Christchurch, Ilkley (then in the Ilkley Circuit!) before training for the Methodist ministry at Hartley Victoria College, Manchester.
My probationary appointment was in the Liverpool North Circuit, my second appointment was in Haxby & Wigginton in the York North Circuit and we have just completed 11 years of service in the Barnsley Circuit. We are thrilled to be serving in God's own country again!
I am married to Lucy and we have three grown up boys, one working in Leeds and two studying at University – Warwick and York.
I enjoy walking, meeting up with friends and family, gardening, going to the theatre and eating!!
I love being a Minister; I enjoy leading worship, making faith accessible and relevant, leading courses and groups and encouraging others to live out their faith in their community and the world.
I joined the Wharfedale and Aireborough Circuit in 2022 as minister with pastoral charge of Otley and Pool in Wharfedale Methodost Churches. I added Menston in the summer of 2024 and look forward to getting to know the Church and the village of Menston.
Please contact me if you wish to discuss arrangements for a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral: thestirks@tiscali.co.uk.
Our Church
Is one of twelve churches within the Wharfedale & Aireborough Methodist Circuit, embracing Addingham, Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale, Menston, Bramhope, Otley, Pool, Guiseley, Hawksworth, Rawdon, Yeadon and the Norwood Retreat Centre.
The Circuit is divided into three 'clusters'. Menston is in the Western Cluster with Addingham, Christchurch Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Burley in Wharfedale, and the Methodist Homes of Abbeyfield, Glen Rosa and Emmandjay Court. The Presbyters in charge are Rev Tim
Perkins (Superintendent), Rev Shannon DeLaureal, Rev Roberta Topham, Rev Cameron Stirk and Rev Roger Smith.
Our Mission Statement
Approved by the Church Council on 27 June 2019:
‘Loving God and loving our neighbours’
Our calling is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ and to live as his followers. We do this through:
Worship
- We will pray each day.
- We will worship together regularly, including the sharing of Holy Communion.
- We will look and listen for God’s activity in our lives and our world.
Learning and Caring
- Through Bible study and fellowship we will seek to learn more of God and God’s world.
- We will practise friendship and care for others and for ourselves.
- We will honour creation and tend the environment.
- We will practise hospitality and generosity.
Service
- We will be good neighbours to those in need.
- We will challenge injustice.
- We will work for the good of all people.
- We will use our resources to support God’s mission in the world.
Evangelism
- Through working out our faith in daily life we will witness to the love of God in Jesus.
- We will speak of faith to others.
- We will encourage each other in our faith.
May each of our lives be a blessing within and beyond the Church, for the transformation of our community.