About Us
Welcome to the Newcastle Central & East Circuit which came into being/existence in 2009 following the merger of the former Brunswick Central Circuit and Heaton and Wallsend circuit.
It is a compact circuit covering an area of approximately 20 square miles. It moves out from the city centre northwards covering a triangle to the north and east of the city taking in parts of North Tyneside.
There are currently 9 churches and five have ecumenical partners. They are Brunswick Methodist, Chinese Methodist, Church of the Good Shepherd LEP, Jesmond Methodist, St Andrew’s LEP, St Cuthbert’s LEP, St John the Evangelist LEP, Trinity Church Gosforth LEP and Trinity Church Wallsend.The Circuit is involved with a significant range of projects including Street Pastors, Changing Lives’ GAP project (working with sex workers), and engagement with the Christian Arts Community. In 2004 Newcastle was designated as one of the UK’s six Science Cities and has two major universities and HE colleges with approximately 90,000 students giving it a youth dynamic feel. The Circuit has its own community arts space known as Shieldfield Art Works @ The Holy Biscuit whose programme includes high quality art exhibitions, events, and workshops.
Currently there are 8 ordained staff (of whom one is Anglican and one part-time and one URC). The team is strengthened by 10 layworkers, some of whom are part-time. The circuit has 7 supernumerary ministers, 4 of whom are active in preaching, and several local preachers.
The circuit offers a wide range of worship on Sundays and some mid-week services – please follow the links to the individual church websites to find out more.
Circuit Ministerial Staff
Rev. Paul Cleever-Thorpe
Paul joined the Circuit in 2017 and became Superintendent Minister in 2019. He also forms part of a Ministry Team at Brunswick Methodist Church at the heart of Newcastle. City centre ministry brings huge opportunities to share the gospel, not least with those who come seeking friendship, a cuppa and a listening ear. City centre chaplaincy provides similar opportunities.
Paul has been a Methodist Minister in the Newcastle District since 1996, previously having served as team leader of a mission project in Wigan and as a Lay Worker in Liverpool, before training at Wesley College in Bristol. He has a passion for the World Church, spending five months with the United Methodist Church of South Africa in the mid-90s and studying twice at the Tantur Institute in Palestine/Israel exploring Christian Zionism and its effects upon indigenous Christians in the Holy Land.
He has played badminton at club level and watches the Newcastle Falcons rugby team (who are currently top of the Premiership!). He also enjoys swimming and playing golf. His family have a cheeky cockerpoo dog called 'Buster', so they often take off at weekends towards the coast.
Rev Adele Moorhouse
Adele joined the circuit in 2018 and is minister at St John the Evangelist LEP in Kingston Park. Working with four denominations in a single congregation is certainly interesting but very rewarding and also exciting, particularly in the light of Jesus’ prayer that we might all be one. The church’s location in a busy and growing community offers many opportunities for making contact and building relationships with those who are yet to know Jesus - something Adele has always been very keen to do.
Adele grew up in Scarborough, moving North to study at Newcastle University in 1979 and then settling in Cramlington which has been home since 1982. Following almost 18 years as a full time mum to four children, Adele trained at the Wesley Study centre in Durham before serving as a Methodist minister for 14 years in the South East Northumberland Ecumenical Area. She is married to Steve and the two enjoy walking, reading, and catching up with family including their much loved grandchildren.
Rev. Gavin Hume
Gavin is the minister of St Andrew’s Church in Benton and Minister in Pastoral Charge at Trinity Methodist Church, Wallsend.
He grew up in Guisborough, a town on the edge of the North York Moors, so, while not quite in his native Yorkshire, he is delighted to be in the North East.
Before going 'into the ministry' he worked for a computer software company in Liverpool. After training at the Wesley Study Centre in Durham, he served in Acomb, near York, and then in the North West Durham Circuit, where he was based in the village of Lanchester.
He is married to Tracey (who is a Deacon) and the Newcastle District Community Engagement Enabler.
He loves music, and is a keen musician, singer and songwriter.
He's a keen supporter of Middlesbrough FC supporter, and enjoys camping and walking, especially in the Yorkshire Dales.
Rev. Julie Mooney
Julie joined the Circuit in 2016 and is Team Vicar and Minister of the Church of the Good Shepherd, LEP, Battle Hill. She is thrilled to be part of such a modern church and received the warmest welcome at her Installation Service – this is the warm welcome that everyone receives at Good Shepherd because the congregation are so friendly and welcoming.
She is a born and bred Geordie lass – originally from Burradon then living mainly in Killingworth after marrying Mick. They have two grown up sons, Michael and David, who still live at the family home. In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, which is a good way to burn off the calories of her other interests – meals out and nights out with family & friends and going on holiday.
Prior to training for Ordination she worked in the Civil Service for many years (and this is where she met Mick). After 10 years of trying to resist the call to Ordination she studied Theology and Ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham. Then in 2013, she was Ordained and appointed as Assistant Curate at Holy Cross Church, Fenham.
She considers ministry to be fantastic. It has its challenges but is also extremely rewarding, being a real privilege to be serving God and others in many varied ways. She feels truly blessed to be in Battle Hill and to be part of such a strong and supportive church family. She is hoping for many years of ministry there.
Rev Alison Wilkinson
Alison Wilkinson is Minister at Jesmond and Presbyter with oversight of Shieldfield Art Works.
She is married to David, principal of St John’s College, University of Durham, where he teaches, writes and broadcasts on science and faith, and other small topics. They have two amazing children Adam and Hannah, who are seeking their way in the world of work, Adam in youth ministry and Hannah in social justice.
Before becoming a Methodist minister, Alison was an RE teacher, trained teachers and worked for the Methodist Church as a Training and Development officer. She has served in Durham and Hartlepool, before joining the Circuit in 2016.
Alison has been involved in teaching and training Christian leaders, and her yet to be completed PhD, is in Discipleship and Leadership. She is passionate about nurturing discipleship, encouraging everyone to use their gifts and for the Church to demonstrate the love of God to all, in a relevant way.
She enjoys watching movies, box sets, baking, good food, and is a convert to NUFC.
Rev. Alex Mabbs
I have been a minister in the United Reformed Church for over 25 years, working with Churches in London and Sussex. I love being outdoors, cycling or walking or just sitting in the woods staring at trees. I also enjoy playing music and dancing.
I am passionate about bringing the Bible to life for people and being part of a community that wants to make real and effective the good news of God's love in a bad news world.
Deacon Gail Morgan
Gail has leadership and missional oversight at Trinity Wallsend Methodist Church, a pastoral and missional role at Shieldfield Art Works, works missionally with ecumenical partners in the Heaton area and is Chair of the Methodist Church project, Hand in Hand, which runs a club for men and women over the age of 65 at Trinity Methodist Church, Wallsend.
She feels being a deacon is amazing and each day is a blessing. She loves building relationships with people and is passionate about seeing Jesus change and transform people's lives.
Gail believes the church is being challenged to be more relevant, accessible and a place where everyone feels welcome. With this in mind Gail seeks to find ways of enabling this to happen through working alongside others to develop mission.
As a deacon Gail is part of the Methodist Diaconal Order a dispersed community who commit to live by a rule of life. This rhythm of prayer, reading the Bible, work and relaxation is life giving for Gail. Before candidating for the diaconate Gail was a lay worker in Blackburn for six years where she worked with an Asylum Refugee Community (ARC) and as chaplain in Blackburn College and University.
Gail loves walking, cooking and sharing what she cooks with friends, wild swimming, holidays in the Scottish Islands and spending time with her beloved family.
Deacon Andrew Carter
I'm Andrew Carter and have been an Ordained Diaconal Minister in the Methodist Church since 1994. As a deacon in the Methodist Church I am a member of the Methodist Diaconal Order, a dispersed religious community focussing on mission. The role is often described in this way, 'The deacon's role focusses on bridging the gap between the church and the world'.
