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 - Mrs Sue Smith

Company and Fun  2pm-4pm  more details here

from Rev Wes Hampton

Dear Friends,

“A voice says ‘Cry out!’

And I said ‘What shall I cry?’”  (Isaiah 40:6 NRSV)

I have received a helpful reminder that it is my turn to write the pastoral letter.  It feels a bit like the challenge to the prophet, and the response fits well.  Staring at a computer screen does not bring instant inspiration: what shall I cry?

Of course, if we ask someone else what we should say, we might not like the answer.  The prophet is told to say that people are like grass and flowers, in that their lives are short and easily forgotten.  That might not be a particularly encouraging message for us, but the word given to the prophet is insistent: “surely the people are grass.” (verse 7)

Thanks to our recent heatwaves, we can see clearly the fragility of the life of grass.  Our yellow lawns and parks show that the natural world is interrelated, and the statistical concentration of the hottest years in the most recent time suggest that human activity is taking its toll on creation.  The wildfires in this country and other parts of Europe have brought vast tracts of grass to an even quicker end, and have caused devastation to people and animals alike.  “The grass withers, the flower fades …” (verse 8) in a good year, but this is not a good year.

The prophet’s message, however, was one of hope in the midst of the brevity of human life: it promised that God’s word would last forever, and that God himself would come to shepherd his people.  The limitations of our lives provide a contrast to the limitless grace of God.  That abundant grace is what we should cry out about.  It is easy to complain about what is wrong, but we, like the prophet, are called to proclaim good news.

Wes

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

Some previous Pastoral Letters are available here.