In these days of more liberal attitudes, our About us page has been updated to reflect,
amongst other things,
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where our
church stands with respect to the LGBTQ+ community. On reading that page
you will see that are we registered for marriage of all couples. We have
engaged with the Honest Church
campaign and registered with Dignity and Worth.
Please read the page and we hope that the church it describes is the kind of church to which you would like to belong and join us in “feeding people in body, mind and spirit”. We look forward to welcoming you.
During the season of Advent, we look forward to Christmas and all that is to come. At the same time, entering the month of December reminds us that another calendar year will soon be behind us. Quite naturally, we find ourselves looking backwards at this time of year, reflecting upon the days, weeks, and months that we have journeyed through since we last celebrated Christ’s birth together. Read on…
Martin Way Methodist Church, Buckleigh Avenue, SW20
9JZ
Wednesday 6th December, 8pm
An evening of real-life stories, conversations & questions with the Revd David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Office, Jerusalem We very much hope that you will be able to join us. David is keen to engage with those questions that are most pressing for us. It would therefore be really helpful if you could submit these in advance via paul.timmis@methodist.org.uk.
This year we’ve included a special service at 6pm on 10th December, Blue Christmas.
Also known as “The Service of the Longest Night”, this service has become increasingly popular over recent years, as it provides an opportunity for the difficulties of life to be acknowledged in contrast to the celebration atmosphere of most Christmas events.
It is a simple, reflective service - a mixture of carols and readings to narrate the Christmas story; prayers which acknowledge pain and emptiness alongside the Christian hope; a reflection which gently speaks of light in darkness. People are invited to light a candle not just for the bereaved but for all those who find celebration difficult at Christmas. As one person who attended such a service, said “That was Christmas for me.”
For an updated list of activities offered by groups meeting on our premises, please visit our Community page
Tuesdays 10.30 - 12 noon
During the week, our church will be open on Tuesday mornings from 10.30 to 12 noon for prayer, reflection or just for someone to talk to. Afterwards, why not pop along to our Coffee & Chat to meet others and have a cuppa. There may be cake on offer too!
Tuesdays 10.30 - 12 noon
If you are lonely, want a chat or cup of coffee, or simply want to take the weight off your feet for a few minutes then pop in. There will be all sorts of friends ready to make you welcome.
Wednesdays 11:30am - 2pm
A friendly welcome awaits you at The Open Table, a place where you can relax, enjoy a cuppa and a chat, read a book, take advantage of free WiFi and charge your phone. You can also enjoy a hot meal made from supermarket surplus food by our team of excellent cooks, We are open every Wednesday from 11.30am until 2pm. It is for everyone, so come along and help stop food going to waste. It is free although donations are welcome. For further details please email opentable@martinway.org.uk
Fortnightly on Fridays 12.30pm - 3pm
Enjoy the company of others whilst eating a two course meal comprising a main dish and dessert, followed by cheese and biscuits, washed down with tea of coffee for a very reasonable £5, Again, all are welcome, especially the elderly and those who live alone. For further details please email lunchclub@martinway.org.uk
It’s been a long time in the making but with the dedication by our team of gardeners, what was once a weedy, uneven apology for a patio has been transformed into a garden for all, producing vegetables for the church activities and the community. It is not finished yet (what garden ever is?) but we are busy fund-raising to lay a safe, all-weather surface so that the outdoors can be enjoyed without fear of tripping up. Regular “Bring & Share Lunches” are held on a Sunday after church enabling people to meet, eat and do a spot of gardening. For more information, please email community-garden@matinway.org.uk
Our services are simultaneously broadcast on our Facebook page. However, if you are able, please come and join us in person. We would love to see you and a warm welcome is guaranteed. To watch a service again or even for the first time, just click on the high-lighted preacher’s name in the table below.
| Date | Time | Preacher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05Nov | 10:30 | Revd David Hookins | Morning Worship |
| 12Nov | 10:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Café Worship (Zoom) |
| 19Nov | 10:30 | Richard Graham | Morning Worship |
| 18:00 | Revd Paul Timmis | Holy Communion | |
| 26Nov | 10:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Holy Communion |
| 03Dec | 10:30 | Valerie Ashcroft | Morning Worship |
| 10Dec | 10:30 | Tony Loft | Morning Worship |
| 10Dec | 18:00 | Revd Paul Timmis | Blue Christmas |
| 17Dec | 10:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Gift/Nativity/ Café Worship |
| 18:00 | Revd Paul Timmis | Carols on the steps | |
| 24Dec | 10:30 | Revd Chris Morley | Holy Communion |
| 17:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Christingle | |
| 25Dec | 10:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Christmas Day |
| 31Dec | 10:30 | Valerie Ashcroft | Morning Worship |
| 07Jan | 10:30 | Brenda Cannon | Morning Worship |
| 14Jan | 10:30 | Revd Paul Timmis | Covenant Communion |
The Revd Chris Morley, who has led worship at Martin Way on a number of occasions, started a venture, called “Take Five”. Each daily thought is a suggestion for how each of us might grow spiritually and come closer to God by reflecting that day on a particular theme. He is inviting people to Take Five minutes each day to join him, either on YouTube or Facebook.
A video has come to light showing the building of our church. It was originnal film on 8mm film and has been transcribed via VHS tape to an mp4 videoo which may be watched here. It is 22 minutes long, grainy and there is no sound but it is a fascinating piece of archive history.
On our Facebook page you can keep up to date with what is happening in our church family and also view our streamed Sunday morning services. It can be accessed by clicking on the small blue Facebook logo wherever it pops up on this site or by visting https://www.facebook.com/martinwaymethodist or by searching for @martinwaymethodist in a browser or on Facebook itself.