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).

Future worship and recorded services are on this page.

10.30am Holy Communion - Rev Wes Hampton

Company and Fun  2pm-4pm  more details here

from Chris Rooke-Matthews

Dear friends,

Following a series of various health issues, over many months, during which I have had to adapt to alternative ways of living, I’ve realised the importance of accepting the things that can’t be changed.  Rather than focussing on what I am unable to do, I now look at the ways I can make a positive difference each day.

Some days are easier than others, but I have been grateful for opportunities spent outside, in the garden, or walking in the shade of trees, meeting with family and friends, or looking after our daughter’s dog while she’s at work.

I recently discovered this prayer, by John Henry Newman, which has given me reassurance that I am not facing this alone:

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.  I have my mission I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. 

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.  He has not created me for naught.  I shall do good.  I shall do his work.  I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it – if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, will I trust Him.  Whatever, wherever I am.  I can never be thrown away.  If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.  He does nothing in vain.  He knows what He is about.  He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers.  He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future for me – still He knows what He is about.

Chris

from Rev Wes Hampton

Dear Friends,

The big film release of this summer is The Odyssey, a retelling of Homer’s epic poem about the ten-year return of Odysseus from Troy to his home in Ithaca.  In Homer’s story, Odysseus leaves Troy with twelve ships, but by the time he arrives home all his comrades have perished, and he reaches Ithaca alone.  However, this is never the story of an individual. Back in Ithaca, there are key roles to play for Odysseus’ son Telemachus, his wife Penelope, and the servants of his household.  The Odyssey, moreover, is a story of gods versus gods, with divine power and mythical beasts on each side.  All through Odysseus’ tale, he contributes to something bigger than the story of his own misfortunes.

Achievements are usually made through teamwork, where each part of the team plays its proper part.  In the Greek epic, as on the sports field, and in the Body of Christ, we need soldiers and seers, goalkeepers and strikers, the foot and the eye, and everything else.  Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his poem Ulysses (the Latin version of the name “Odysseus”) imagines Ulysses unable to settle back down to the life of King of Ithaca.  He remains restless, and in need of adventure.  Ulysses recognizes that he and Telemachus are very different, and have different parts to play. “He works his work, I mine.”  Or, as St Paul puts it, “Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?” and the list of rhetorical questions goes on (1 Corinthians 12:29, NRSV.)

In each area of our daily lives, as in the life of our church, we have our own part to play.  Over time that part varies, using the skills and gifts that we have been given.  We all contribute, so that the result will be God’s work in this place, with all of us on the team.  In the spirit of “He works his work, I mine” what is my contribution?  And yours?

Wes

Some previous Pastoral Letters are available here.