Welcome - Central Sussex United Area

Cuckmere Valley

Welcome to the Central Sussex United Area of The Methodist Church and The United Reformed Church

The Central Sussex United Area is comprised of 20 churches in villages and towns by the sea, in and around the Ashdown Forest and the South Downs. It is bounded by the towns of Haywards Heath (NW), Crowborough (NE), Lewes (SW) and Eastbourne (SE), and symbolises the unity between denominations as we seek together to share God’s love through our mission and ministry in a variety of communities.

Rev'd Barbara Evans-Routley - Co-Leader Methodist

Rev Barbara Evans-Routley It is a privilege to be the Co-leader and Methodist Superintendent Minister of the Central Sussex United Area.

2025 sees me marking my 20th year in ministry. I felt called to become a minister when I was 16 and so I started my Local Preacher's training in Kent, where I spent my school years. Since then, in following that sense of calling, I have worked and studied, first as a Lay Worker and then as a Minister around the country, including in Warwickshire, Cambridgeshire, East Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, the West Midlands and now in East Sussex.

Whilst each community has been different, there is much that unites us and it is always a privilege to meet, love and worship with the congregations and communities I have lived with.

I am married to Catherine, who is a former eye nurse and now works as the Operations Manager for a Methodist Circuit in Warwickshire.

Stuart Dew - Co-Leader URC

Stuart Dew Perhaps my best qualification for this role is that I have dual denomination heritage. When I was 15, I went with a friend to a Methodist youth club in North London and began attending evening services with other young people. I don't remember much of what was said in church, but I do clearly remember the kindness of the 'old people' there, who took a real interest in me. If being a Christian made them such lovely people, then I wanted to be one too. In adulthood, I have been a member of the United Reformed Church and a busy lay preacher. God renews me daily and forgives my many failings.

I was fortunate in having a rich and varied working life: newspaper reporter - BBC Radio news editor - probation officer - charity director - Church and Society secretary and then national press officer for the URC.

Humour is very important to me; I regard laughter as one of the best medicines known to woman and man. My particular fun comes from your reaction to my 'dad' jokes. I'm not sure I have space left to tell it, but have you heard the one about.....