Seacroft Methodist Church premises have been substantially refurbished in recent months, following negotiations with South Seacroft Friends and Neighbours (SSFN), who are now using these premises as a basis for their work. The partnership between SSFN and Seacroft Methodist Church has been developed over the last year, but discussions about sharing premises have been in the air for sometime previously. When SSFN were looking for better premises to work from, the previous Minister of Seacroft, Rev. Georgina Brotherton opened up discussions with them about SSFN using the Methodist Church Premises, in exchange for bringing grant funding with them to significantly improve the building. After much discussion it was agreed that this partnership should go ahead, and a major refurbishment took place in the Spring of 2008.

The small old kitchen was extensively extended and improved, a new heating system and new toilet facilities have been installed, there have been new windows and a redecoration of the premises has been carried out.

Much of this work was overseen by Frank Binks, one of the Circuit Stewards and Linda Goodall, from SSFN. SSFN celebrated entering their new “home” with a special ceremony on 16th May 2008.

The Circuit held a very well attended United Service in August to mark the transformation that has taken place. Linda Goodall and Kate Taverner of SSFN, work with the elderly in South Seacroft giving support and advice, running a lunch club, an exercise class and offering various other activities. The refurbished premises of Seacroft Methodist Church give a much better set of facilities for SSFN than they had before, which allows them to develop and extend their work for the elderly in the Community. Visit their website: http://www.ssfn.co.uk/ to find out more about their work.  It is hoped that with more people coming into these premises the congregation will be able to offer their own renewed witness and service to others in the community. People coming into the premises because of SSFN will also find a space for quiet and prayer, and opportunity to share in the midweek bible study and fellowship of the church.  It is also hoped that as the premises become more familiar for local people, they may also wish to join the congregation for worship on Sunday.