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 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

from John Williams

Dear friends,

A few months ago I discovered, at the bottom of a drawer, a poster with bold white letters on a red background saying “Keep calm and carry on”.  These posters were printed to raise morale during the war.  I have a fridge magnet that is similar - “Keep calm and know that I am God” - obviously referring to Psalm 46:10. 

Derek Tidball in “Signposts” points out that this is not really to encourage us to slow down before a prayer meeting, by disconnecting from our busy lives to focus on God.  The stillness we need to discover is knowing that God is the Lord Almighty even in the chaos of battle; not when we withdraw from it.  In the same way it speaks to all of us in the midst of the turmoil that can make up everyday life.  In this as well “God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” 

The Good News Bible translates verse 10 as “Stop fighting and know that I am God” having just said that “He stops wars all over the world”.  Now there’s a prayer for today!

John Williams

Some previous Pastoral Letters are available here.