Helsbymethodist.org.uk a friendly family Church in Cheshire
Title
Helsby Methodist Church
Description
Helsby Methodist Church (HMC) stands in the centre of the small village of Helsby, situated in the North West English County of Cheshire, not far from the beautiful Delamere Forest Park
We are part of the Delamere Forest Methodist Circuit, (partnered with and sharing our minister with neighbouring Methodist churches in Kingsley village) and the Chester and Stoke District of the widerUK Methodist church.
We believe in reflecting God in all areas of our lives.We are also continually exploring ways in which we can work ever more closely with our Christian friends from other local Churches, including St Pauls Church Helsby.
There is a wide mixture of ages and backgrounds at HMC. Some members have lived in the village all their lives, others have moved more recently from other regions of the UK and yet more have been brought into the Church family through outreach, such as the Alpha course, or through the various activites we run. This, of course, means that there are differences of emphasis which HMC seeks to embrace within the one church.
We continually look at ways to help our fellowship get to know each other better. We have operated for many years a Pastoral network whereby all members and friends are allocated to a volunteer (over 36 at last count!) Pastoral Visitor, amongst other things to ensure spiritual needs of individual members are not overlooked and develop our sense of 'family'.
We are also developing and expanding our existing network of regular small housegroup meetings which take place both in the daytime and in the evenings, thus following the example of John Wesley and his 'class meetings'
HMC does not seek to stand still.The overall vision is to see men and women become contemporary active followers of Jesus Christ, and for each and every person at the Church to discover their individual and prayer life and Church-life going deeper with God.
This emphasis does not lead to an inward looking church. Many members are involved (as part of their discipleship) in aspects of care and help in the community e.g. school governors, parents and toddlers, clubs for senior citizens, youth work reaching the marginalised in Helsby, and many other unsung ways. We have been active supporters of various local national and overseas Charities for many years.We are currently supporting development of links between a local hospital and improving eye surgery in Ethiopia (Glan Clwyd/Hossana Link)
In addition some members have had the privilege to be part of a wider canvas through events such as Easter People (superceded by ECG).
HMC recognises that, in the light of an ever-changing world, we need to constantly re-assess our worship, work and ministry in our community. New ways of 'doing church' need to be explored and whilst change can always be a source for tension, we seek to do it under the guidance of God's Spirit for His glory.
As part of these aims we have successfully begun to attract new young families to HMC via our monthly JIGSAW family activity. In addition our ever popular 'Muddles' carer and toddler groups meet twice weekly, meeting a vital need in Helsby. In a further development and following the appointment of a Children and families worker at HMCthis year, we have started our 'Church mice' activities each Thursday lunchtime. We have an active programme of social events (see News at HMC) to which anyone is most welcome to attend.
In responding to changing social patterns, we have ceased our weekly Sunday evening services and have begun a monthly traditional short morning service on the first Wednesday monthly.
In addition to our ladies' evening group and Wednesday afternoon fellowship, we have launched a new men's group in summer 2009.
Many other activities take place in our extensive premises,which are based in the centre of the village and which were extensively updated and modernised in 2006/7. We probably see upwards of 300 people per week using our premises.
Languages
English
