Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Called to Love and Praise
Minister: Rev. Naomi Oates naomi.oates@methodist.org.uk
Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Called to Love and Praise
16/8/2025
On this page:
Messy Church: everyone's too busy to notice the newly-painted church hall walls (which are now closer to the website colour scheme)! More photos on the gallery page
Welcome
We are a friendly, welcoming Church, of all ages with a membership of around 64, and many more in our wider Church family.
Our Church family comes mainly from the villages of Larkfield, East and West Malling, Kings Hill, Addington, Leybourne, Ditton and Aylesford, all of which are just west of the County town of Maidstone in Kent.
We enjoy worship in a variety of styles from traditional to modern, and our congregations usually include a wide variety of ages, from toddlers to octogenarians.
See our Services page for full details of in-person and on-line services and opportunities for worship.
There are a large number of regular groups and activities (see activities and Children and Family pages).
Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade and Messy Church are term-time only.
Are you interested in becoming a member of the Methodist Church?
We have a small number of people currently exploring becoming members of their local Methodist church. I'll soon be running some sessions for anyone exploring membership (thinking together about what it means to be a Christian, a Methodist, and a member of the Methodist Church), after which attendees will be invited to be received into membership, if they wish. These sessions usually take place over lunch, or tea and cake, and are a great chance to explore faith in a small group. If you'd like to be involved (or know someone who might), please let me know. You can find some FAQs about Methodist membership here.
News from the hot seat...
14/8/25
Dear friends,
Yesterday, I led a funeral for someone who had reached 105 years old. She had seen 28 Prime Ministers (some of whom had served two separate terms). She had also seen the world change from a place where news arrived by letter, to a place where the sum of human knowledge is available instantaneously via a device we carry in our pockets. She lived through wars, peace, depressions, and booms.
In order to survive such change - and not just survive, but flourish - we all need something to sustain us. Something we can trust will remain constant, when everything else seems to shift. So it seemed fitting that we heard the famous passage from 1 Corinthians that says this:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
So I wonder... what's changing in your life at the moment? What 'constants' help to sustain you?
Some news and updates for the coming weeks...
Thank you to our Messy Church volunteers
Many thanks indeed to Monica, Tracey, Tricia, Diane and Becca (plus the families who stayed to help clear up!) for all their hard work at yesterday's Messy Church, where we explored Jesus' 'lost and found' stories. It was lovely to welcome back old friends and to see some new faces who'd heard about us through social media or through the local schools. It was great, too, to welcome them into our freshly-painted hall (several of our painting party volunteers were there to enjoy it!).
Nativity costumes
Don't worry - you haven't woken up to find it's December! At Camp next week, we're having a scratch nativity. If you have any costumes I could borrow (stars, angels, blue fabric, teatowels and headbands, crowns etc) please let me know. Thank you!
United service - Sunday 31 August
Please note that the 10am service on Sunday 31 August will be a joint service with our friends from Holy Trinity, Larkfield and St James the Great, East Malling. The service will be held at St James the Great (so there will be no service at the Methodist church on this date). Rev Mandy and I will be leading the service together, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Invitation to Alpha - RSVP by 7 September
It's exactly a month until our first Alpha session - and we're excited! I've attached an updated invitation - if you'd like to join us, please RSVP to Claire by Sunday 7 September, so that we know approximately how many we're planning to feed! Huge thanks to all those who have kindly volunteered to be part of the team.
If you'd like to support the Alpha Course, you can now 'sponsor a plate' (designed by the children at Messy Church) for just £5. And you get to keep the beautiful paper plate!
Foundation Module Safeguarding training
Please find attached a flyer for Foundation Module Safeguarding training being offered in this circuit (with face-to-face and online options) in September and October. Training is valid for four years; if yours needs renewing, please do sign up. If you're not sure whether your role requires you to undertake Safeguarding training (or whether you need the Foundation or Advanced module), please contact your Church Safeguarding Officer.
Next week
A reminder that there will be no weekly email next week, as I'll be away at Camp on the Isle of Wight with the Brigades from Larkfield, Kingston and Devon. I'll be back at my desk on Wednesday 27 August. Between 16-21 August, if it's urgent, you can contact me on my mobile (07485 072 407) - but bear with me, as I'll probably be in the middle of a field!
Every blessing,
Naomi
Updates for the coming months...
SEPTEMBER
Alpha Course
We are planning to run an Alpha course on six Sunday lunchtimes from 12.30pm—2.30pm starting on Sunday 14th September 2025 and finishing on Sunday 19th October 2025.
There will be two Alpha streams running at the same time:
• Alpha for adults (over 18s)
• Youth Alpha (for 11—18s)
Plus a group for under-11s, so their parents/carers/siblings can take part in Alpha.
Welcome services
Please find attached a invitation to the welcome service for the new Chair of the South East Methodist District, the Revd Conrad Hicks, which will be taking place at 3pm on Sunday 6 September at Redhill Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, Redhill, RH1 1BP.
Within our circuit, we will also be welcoming a new probationer minister, the Revd Rocky Chan, and his family. Rocky's welcome service will be at 1.30pm on Sunday 7 September at Third Avenue in Gillingham (in both English and Cantonese). It would be great to have support from all the churches in the circuit. Please hold Rocky and his family in your prayers as they prepare for their move.
Poetry for Pleasure evening
On Saturday 20th of September at 7pm in the Church, the Book Club will be holding another of their Poetry for Pleasure evenings. Tickets will cost £7.50 to include light refreshments. These will be available nearer the date or pay on the door. All proceeds to Church funds.
OCTOBER
Sustaining Hope - Saturday 4 October
Please find attached a poster for the 'Sustaining Hope' gathering taking place on Saturday 4 October for anyone in the South East Methodist District who is involved in working with refugees or displaced persons, or who would be interested in doing so. The gathering will take place at Redhill Methodist Church, with two fascinating speakers and opportunities for prayer and networking.
Next Church Council meeting - Save the date
Our next Church Council meeting will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025 at 7.30pm. All are welcome, so please pop the date in your diary.
Emmaus UK Men's Walk
Emmaus UK is holding a Men's Walk (essentially a three-day Christian retreat) this autumn at Highgate House in Creaton near Kettering. The retreat runs from 4pm on Thursday 23 October to 5pm on Sunday 26 October and costs £300 for full board. Several people in our circuit have found their experiences of Emmaus UK's Walks to be life-changing: whether you are new to faith, or a lifelong Christian, these retreats can help to reignite or deepen your relationship with God.
NOVEMBER
Services of Remembering
In November, across the churches I serve, there will be two special Services of Remembering for those who have lost loved ones. These gentle, reflective services will be an opportunity to remember those who have died, to light candles, and to give thanks for their memories. The services will take place on the following dates, and all are welcome:
Sunday 2 November at 4pm at Tonbridge Road Methodist Church (with friends from Union Street)
Sunday 23 November at 3pm at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church
Domestic abuse awareness webinar - Thursday 27 November
The Methodist Church has organised a domestic abuse awareness webinar on Thursday 27 November from 9.30am - 12.30pm. This webinar will seek to increase understanding around control and coercive behaviour, the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship, and how churches can respond well to domestic abuse, ensuring that there is help available for victims/survivors. You can find the details and sign up here.
JANUARY
Great news - and dates to save!
I'm delighted to let you know that we have received £2000 from the circuit, and £2000 from the South East Methodist District, towards the costs of our church weekend away. This means we can confirm that we will be going away together to Ashburnham Place from Friday 30 January - Sunday 1 February 2026 - and that you're invited! The funds we have received mean that we can operate on a 'pay what you can' basis - meaning that the weekend away will be accessible to anyone from our extended church family who wishes to join us. We hope this will be a really special time together, as we spend time with old friends and make new ones, and as we build on the content of this autumn's Alpha Course. I'll be sending round details next week of how to book your place - but please save the dates!
OTHER NOTICES
Could you be a BB Leader - or do you know someone who could?
Our fabulous Boys' Brigade team are still looking to recruit new Leaders and Helpers. I've reattached the advert - please have a think and a pray about whether you know someone who might be suited to the role (or whether you might be!). Please do pass the advert to anyone who might be interested.
Booking Church Facilities
The Church Hall and the Sycamore Tree rooms are available for booking at competitive rates. More details on our bookings page.
Welcome Hub celebrates 2 years
Welcome Hub
Happy birthday to the Welcome Hub!
It’s two years since we first opened our Warm Space, in partnership with other churches in Larkfield, seeking to serve those struggling to heat their homes during the cost-of-living crisis. We soon realised that most of those who came through our doors were seeking a ‘warm welcome’ more than a ‘warm space’ and so, over time, we became the Welcome Hub - a space where anyone can find a warm welcome, hot and cold drinks and snacks, delicious homemade cakes, and a friendly chat (all for free). We’ve had some amazing special events over the past two years, from Christmas dinners to wreath-making workshops, and we’ve received some incredible support from local shops, individuals, and schools. We couldn’t do it without our fantastic team of volunteers from the churches and the wider community. Thank you!
Pop along today for a piece of birthday cake and a cuppa. The Welcome Hub is open in the Sycamore Tree Centre at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am - 4pm.
If you’d like to support the Hub, you can donate here, with the reference ‘Welcome Hub’: https://www.larkfieldmethodist.org/about-4
To see pictures from our activities check out our gallery page
Celebrating 60th Anniversary
Many thanks to Rob, our own Piano Guy
Some of us are planning to take part in sponsored '60 for 60' events to raise some money. Could you get involved? Ideas that have emerged already include knitting 60 squares for a blanket, walking 60 times around a lake (not all in one go), cycling 60 miles around churches in the circuit, and growing (and selling) 60 plants. Be as imaginative as you like!
I've attached the sponsor form - there are printed copies at church. Folks can pay by cash, cheque, electronic transfer, or using their smartphone and the QR code on the form. Please encourage UK taxpayers to complete all the columns, so we can claim Gift Aid on their donation. Rob and Monica are able to receive cash and cheques to be paid in, and Tricia will need the completed forms so we can claim Gift Aid.
Do let us know what you're planning - or sponsor someone else, if you can. Thank you
Church funds - We need your help!
It's not always easy to talk about money, but at a recent Church Council, we spent a long time doing just that. Unfortunately, due mainly to rising costs, our church is currently running at an annual deficit of up to £10k - which means we're in danger of running out of funds in just a couple of years. Larkfield is a brilliant church, with a huge amount of energy, creativity and a real desire to reach out and share God’s love. It would be such a shame if that work came under threat, due to a lack of funds. As Brian said: 'I don't want to be shopping at Morrisons in a couple of years and hear someone say - didn't there used to be a church over there?'
There's not much we can realistically do to reduce our expenditure, so the Church Council has agreed various ways to try and increase our income. We appointed three small groups, to look at finding new lettings, applying for grants, and organising church fundraising events.
There are things that all of us can do - whether or not we're in a position to give financially. Here are some ideas:
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If you donate to the church, and are eligible for Gift Aid, please ensure you're signed up - it's easy, and means we get an extra 25% at no extra cost to you. Please speak to Tricia for more details.
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If you’re in touch with any groups, organisations and classes locally, ask whether they might be interested in hiring our hall or the Sycamore Tree. Chat to Mike, our lettings officer, about availability.
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Support our fundraising efforts.
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If you generously buy resources that we use at church, and don't claim the cost - you could claim, and then donate the same amount to the church, so we can claim the Gift Aid (assuming you're eligible).
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Let me know if you'd like to join one of the groups looking at lettings, grants, and church fundraising events. We're looking especially for someone else to join Mike and Val on the 'lettings' group - making contact with local organisations and advertising our premises.
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Pray! For God to provide the resources we need to do his work in our community.
No Cash?
No Problem!
Donate to the church the cashless way
You can now donate to the church with your smart phone!
Scan the QR code on the Donate page of the website or any of the QR codes displayed in the church.
For more information or questions contact Martin White
You can also now make contactless donations direct to Martin White's phone using card or smartphone!
Spreading the Word - Our Website
In the last month there were 142 visits to the site, 60 from directly entering the site, 61 via Google, 14 from theplaymap.co.uk and 4 from Bing!
In 2023 there were 1648 visits to the site, up 27%. Visits from NKM were up 75%
In 2022 we had more than twice as many visits as 2021 - 721 people visited the website 1299 times for an average of 4minutes 59 seconds.
In 2024, visitors were from all parts of the UK, with multiple visits from US (44), France (7), India (6).
Popular pages visited were:
Home
Services (41% up on previous month)
The most busy time is 4pm on a Monday but you are always welcome.
We are a busy church with many activities. If you spot any omissions or errors please the webmaster will be delighted to hear from you - email quantum.martin@btinternet.com
Welcome everyone.