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
5/12/24
On this page:
The light of Advent is upon us! See all the photos from Breakfast Church's Scratch Nativity on out Gallery page
more pictures on our Gallery page
Messy Pumpkins
31/10/24
Wowee! Somehow, we squeezed 75 of us (including 41 very excited children!) into the hall for Messy Church, when we thought about ourselves as pumpkins (no, really) with God’s love shining in our hearts. We made pumpkin biscuits and lanterns, decorated autumn plates, hunted for glowsticks, made lots of noise with our musical instruments, went doughnut-bobbing, and enjoyed our snacks.
If you like worship that involves lots of food, activities for all ages, and a small amount of chaos, we’d love to see you again for Breakfast Church on the first Sunday of the month at 9am in the hall.
Plus, do pop the date for our ‘Messy Christingle’ in your diaries - Monday 23 December at 2.30pm, for children and their families.
Thanks to our brilliant team
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.
Serving up cakes (what else?) at the Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support which raised over £215!
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
News from the hot seat...
5/12/24
Dear friends,
Last week, I sent you an Advent poem - this week, I thought I'd share with you a far shorter 'Tiny Advent Poem' (one of which is being produced for every day of Advent). It's attached as an image, but the text reads: 'Advent is like turning off the light before you bring in the birthday cake.' For those of us who worry that Christians might be seen as 'spoiling the fun' when we invite people to be part of a period of quiet reflection - rather than rushing headlong into a frenzy of Christmas activities - I thought that was a rather helpful image. No-one can really see or enjoy the birthday candles if the room is still brightly lit. Advent helps the lights of Christmas to shine even brighter, and allows us to experience the good news in all its glory.
Some news and updates for the coming week...
Opportunities to worship today
You are warmly invited to join the dial-in service this morning at 10am, for friendly chat and a time of worship. You can join by phone or online - all the details are at the end of this email.
Then, at 2pm, you are welcome to join us for the monthly 'Prayer & Praise' gathering at St Mary's Old Church in Burham - an informal time of sharing, sung worship and prayer in atmospheric surroundings. If you have something you'd like to share, or a hymn or song you'd like to sing, please come along and let us know. Also - please wrap up warm!
Both services take place on the first Thursday of every month.
Advent and Christmas
Here's your weekly reminder of the Advent and Christmas services and events taking place across the churches. This coming Sunday, many churches will be thinking about John the Baptist, who pointed the way towards Jesus. Is there someone you could invite along to one of our many celebrations, as a way of pointing them towards Jesus?
This coming weekend, there's our Christmas tree festival (see the attached flyers) with the opportunity to sing 60 Christmas carols (or as many as you'd like!) on Sunday afternoon. It should be a brilliant event - huge thanks to Monica and all those involved.
Tonbridge Road would like to invite you especially to join them for their 'Carols by Candlelight' service at 6pm on Sunday 22 December - a much-loved atmospheric and uplifting service. If you'd like to join Tonbridge Road for the tea beforehand, please do let me know - all the details are on the attached poster.
This morning, we'll be welcoming 64 children from Brookfield Junior School to build Christingles at our church and to celebrate Jesus, the light of the world. Many thanks to our brilliant welcome team - Monica, Alan C and Mike.
For those wishing to support this week's Advent appeal for Maidstone Homeless Care, they have asked specifically for 'Thermal Gloves, Thermal Mugs, Large Rucksacks, Hand Warmers and USB Battery Packs for mobile phones.' Alternatively, if you wish to donate money instead, you can put it in an envelope marked Homeless Care and put it with the offering on Sunday. Thank you.
Methodist Church Christmas film
The Methodist Church has released a short Christmas film, as part of its 'Hush the noise' Christmas campaign. You can watch it here.
Thank you!
Some of you will already have spotted that the cupboards in the hall kitchen have been given a much-needed facelift. The peeling veneer has been stripped away, the wonky doors have been fixed, and a lovely new coat of paint has been applied. Further redecoration is planned for the new year. Many thanks to Robin, Mike, Peter and Margaret for all their hard work - it has truly paid off!
Country Lunch - Thursday 12 December 12.45pm
Due to a prior booking at the Community Centre, this month's Country Lunch is taking place on the second (rather than the third) Thursday of this month. We'll be gathering at the Old School Community Centre in Burham at 12.45pm on Thursday 12 December for soup, crusty bread, and Christmas pudding - all for only £3. Why not join us, and support the continuing missional presence in Burham?
Job opportunity
The West Sussex Coast & Downs Circuit are seeking a part-time Finance Office (to work from home). The details are attached; for further information and for a job description please contact office@westsussexcoastanddownscircuit.co.uk. The closing date for this is 30 December 2024. Please share the information with anyone who might be interested in applying.
Why the nativity?
Sylvia has asked me to recommend this short video - 'Why the nativity?' by David Jeremiah. Enjoy!
Every blessing,
Naomi
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
Stop Press:
Updated 5/12/24
Dial-in service - Thursday 5th December at 10am
Our dial-in service is now taking place monthly, at 10am on the first Thursday of the month. You are warmly invited to join us this morning, as we reflect together on the theme of Epiphany, through poetry, through Scripture, and through prayer. The details for joining from a phone or computer are as follows:
Step 1: At 10am dial 020 3481 5237 from a mobile or landline
Step 2: When requested, enter the Meeting ID 999 8764 3710 followed by #
Step 3: When requested, enter the Passcode 345080 followed by #
You do not need a 'Participant ID' - just press #
If you have a laptop, iPad or phone, you can also get into the service on these devices with just one click using the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/99987643710?pwd=bmhvSlh2Nk45QUZXS2JubXgxbElYdz09
(In case you need it, the Meeting ID is: 999 8764 3710 and Passcode: 345080)
HMP Maidstone carol service - Tuesday 17 December
I know that some of you really look forward to attending the annual carol service at HMP Maidstone, and find it a very moving experience. This year, it will take place on Tuesday 17 December at 5.30pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Chaplaincy.Maidstone@justice.gov.uk by 6 December (noting that spaces are limited to two or three people from each church). The process for entering the prison has changed - you can find the details on the attached invitation.
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.