METHODIST

Thanks to ANNE DEANS for this article about Methodism in Wensleydale.

There have been Methodists in Wensleydale since about 1765. In Bainbridge the first building was purchased in 1803, in Askrigg it was 1807. As well as the existing chapel in Bainbridge, there were two chapels in Askrigg (now Bottom Chapel in Station Road, and another in Moor Road) and one at Bowbridge. When Askrigg chapel closed in 1993 members ‘moved’ to Bainbridge: numbers there were in decline but have risen over the last two years, partly due to the attendance of residents from Sycamore Hall.
The Methodist Church in Great Britain is divided into 32 Districts and there are seven Districts in Ireland. Our District is Darlington and we have a Chair (similar to a Bishop in the Anglican Church), currently the Reverend Ruth Gee. Each district is divided into Circuits and we are part of the new North Yorkshire Dales Circuit, which was formed in September 2011 by joining together the Wensleydale and Swaledale Circuits.  Each circuit has a superintendent minister, so the reverend Alan Coustick who holds the post at present has a large area to cover. To assist him there are two ministers, a forces chaplain and a minister responsible for a biblical literacy project. Then there are six more associate/supernumerary ministers who undertake preaching duties.
We also have our ‘local preachers’ of whom there are 31. Not all of them are actively involved, but as they are ‘planned’ when  there is no minister, our services are very varied.  Our ministers normally stay in a circuit for only five years, so it is the officers of the individual churches who provide continuity.
At conference each year – our main national gathering – a new President is appointed.  In many ways our organisation is very different from the Church of England, but in our worship there are many similarities. Each chapel sends representatives to the circuit meeting which takes place three times a year and deals with financial, business, mission and many other matters.  Each church has a council meeting twice a year.
As Methodists we are called to worship, including Holy Communion, to learn and care through bible study and meeting for fellowship, to service in the community and to evangelism by sharing our faith with others. Each New Year we re-dedicate ourselves at a Covenant service  which we share with St Oswald’s, Askrigg.
Footnote: ‘John and Charles Wesley applied the example and teachings and circumstances of their own life’. Methodism was so called as a result of the way in which John and Charles Wesley were brought up by their mother, Susanna, who had suffered many hardships. She was the 25th of 25 children and married Samuel Wesley at the age of 19. She herself had 19 children, 11 of whom died, and her husband, a vicar, was frequently absent, including two spells in prison for ‘poor financial abilities’. Their house burned down twice. Susanna was very strict with her children, their family life was organised in her ‘method’ and eventually she started her own Sunday afternoon services.

Two New Ventures
We welcome all to a coffee and chat session in the church from 9.00am onwards, every Monday morning in term time. People who have dropped children off at school will be especially welcome, or parents/carers with pre-school children, but it is open to anyone.
Our ecumenical family service, held at 4pm on the third Sunday of the month, has been re-nvented as Messy Church. A worldwide venture, which is catching on rapidly, it is a more informal approach to worship which includes a simple shared meal, songs, activities and prayers. We recognise the changing nature and structure of families, and we offer friendship and a warm welcome to all.