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 Morning Worship - Local Arrangement

from Rev Wes Hampton

Dear Friends,

Thanks to the very dry weather we have had, we have been able to witness the normal colours of Autumn for some time now, and the horse chestnuts have been around for those who wish to play conquers for a good while, but in general it is hard to find something about the month of October that inspires or cheers us.  The weather can be miserable, the clocks will have to be put back an hour, and the fallen leaves have the power to bring the railways to a halt.

After the harvest, much of the natural world begins to wind down, and prepare for hibernation.  It is easy for us to feel likewise: we prefer not to go out in the darker evenings, and by the end of the month our supermarkets will be encouraging us to think of Christmas, when we shall have reason to celebrate (and, therefore, spend money) again.  Until then, by implication, we are told that there is nothing to enjoy, and everything closes down.

For at least two reasons, however, we do not have to be so pessimistic.  Firstly, for Christians our faith runs through the way we see the world.  Every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection, and our whole thinking is informed by our experience of the grace of God.  Secondly, we know that the loss of the leaves from the trees is an act of protection and so enables the recovery of springtime.  If we combine these two, even at this time of year we act with purpose which is informed by the hope that is within us.

So bring on the Autumn but let us approach it with confidence.  Even when the weather turns wet and gloomy, and the world around us appears to be ready to sleep, we remain Easter people.

Wes

from John Williams

Dear Friends,

“Don’t worry!”  How often do we hear that said, or even say it to ourselves?  It’s so easy to say, but it’s not always very helpful, especially if someone is genuinely worried.  Someone once humorously commented that the things we worry about seldom actually happen – so don’t worry about them.

It has been said: If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry: just spend your energy doing what you can.  If it’s not fixable, then there is no point in worrying: it will achieve nothing.

Jesus tells us not to worry and puts God at the centre.  In the Sermon on the Mount he says “Do not start worrying ‘Where will my food come from? Or my drink? Or my clothes? ……. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.” (Matt 6:31 - 32)  And surely our Father knows about everything else that we need.

St Paul also puts God at the centre and as a bonus gives us something practical to do.  “Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)  Why the thankful heart?  When we thank God we remember his past faithfulness and are reassured that he will provide in the future.  After all, He does not change.

William Barclay sums up these verses with the words: “The way to peace is to take ourselves and all whom we hold dear, to take all life, and to place them and ourselves and it trustingly in prayer in the hands of God”.

John Williams

Some previous Pastoral Letters are available here.