Welcome to Wokingham Methodist Church

We are now part of the Blackwater Valley Methodist Circuit, formed by the merger of our previous circuit, the Berkshire Surrey Borders Circuit, with the circuit to the south of us, the Hants-Surrey Border Circuit, effective from 1 September 2025.

Our previous minister, Revd Catherine Bowstead, has retired.  We welcome her replacement Rev Wes Hampton, from 1 September 2025.

Starting on Sunday 21^st September, evening service (with Holy Communion) will resume on the third Sunday of each month at the new time of 6.15 pm (new time chosen so you can park in the Rose Street car park without having to pay both an afternoon fee and an evening fee).

We now aim to open Little Fishes every Thursday throughout the year when Café Mosaic is open - including school holidays, but not Christmas/New Year.

10.30am Holy Communion - Rev Wes Hampton

Future worship and recorded services are on this page.

A Reflection from Malcolm Ray-Smith

The ripe fruits in the garden

It has been a frustrating year in my garden as several crops have failed or been very short of the growth achieved in previous years, but as the mild weather persisted into October there has been a late blooming of dahlias and cosmos and marigolds that surprised and delighted me. Runner beans and climbing beans kept producing and provided more than we could eat so I am thankful to God for the productivity of our garden.

It has been a frustrating year in terms of my health. A spell in hospital did not eliminate the cellulitis that caused my legs to swell, and I have been attending our surgery for weekly sessions to have treatment. I have made repeated demands on the NHS due to my own health issues, which reminds me that the gift of life cannot be taken for granted. I am grateful for the help of numerous doctors, nurses and many other skilled medical workers. I am also grateful for the ready support of my wife and daughters and the encouragement of prayerful friends.

I am especially grateful for the blessings of married life, as early next month Anne and I celebrate 60 years together. Health issues have made me more dependent on others than I wish I was, so I am very appreciative of the tender loving care of my wife and our three daughters and sons-in-law who have all contributed to my recovery.

The hymn “All things bright and beautiful” refers to a catalogue of reasons to praise God and the phrase “the ripe fruits in the garden” came to mind as I pondered how much I have to thank God for in a year that produced personal setbacks that challenged my personal walk with God. It can be tempting to take pride in what I have achieved by my own efforts and skills, but illness reminds me that good health is a gift from God and I am thankful for so many blessings.

Malcolm Ray-Smith

from Rev Wes Hampton

I recently watched again the film Sliding Doors.  In it the central character is Helen, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.  Early in the film Helen rushes to catch an underground train, but a child gets in her way and she reaches the train as the doors are already sliding closed, and we see her standing on the platform as the train leaves.  The film then rewinds a little, then goes forward again but this time the child is pulled out of the way, and Helen reaches the train just in time to climb aboard as the doors are closing.  From this point two parallel stories play out: in one Helen arrives home quickly and discovers that her partner is cheating on her; in the other she arrives home much later, and his infidelity remains undetected.  The two plots diverge dramatically, yet with the same core group of characters.

Just as the split-second difference between storylines leads to completely different scenarios, we may sometimes feel that all our great intentions are subject to tiny events over which we have no control.  We could become despondent if we allowed ourselves to think that every effort of our own was likely to be thwarted by the unforeseeable.  We quote to ourselves "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men/Gang aft agley ..."

However, there is also hope to be found when we recognize that everything is not predetermined.  When we sense that there is room for us to make a difference we can be encouraged to play our part.  We do not know what difference our words, actions, and prayers may lead to, but we make them that our small act of encouragement, challenge, or care will be fruitful.

Here is room to see God at work not only in the great matters of life, but wherever small differences can lead to something new.  This in turn gives us reason to be thankful for God’s work and our part in it.

Wes Hampton

Some previous Pastoral Letters are available here.