Wesley Methodist Church, Cambridge(UK)

Worship at Wesley

Services - The Junior Church - The Creche - House Groups - The Chapel - Music at Wesley - The Cambridge Circuit

At Wesley we try to maintain a high standard of worship and preaching. To this end, some of the finest preachers in Britain are invited to preach at Wesley.

After the major refurbishment of 1989-90, the congregation is now seated in a broad semi-circular arrangement around the Altar. This has encouraged a more informal atmosphere - we think you will find our congregation warm and friendly.

The congregation comes from all over the city and beyond. Some travel great distances to worship with us. (See How to Find Us page for Parking Information). It has a very broad age range, and though it has many who are associated with the university, all sorts of people find Wesley a good church to belong to.

Among the congregation are active workers for numerous charities including:

• NCH. The Children's Charity
• Wintercomfort (working with the homeless)
• Cambridge Citizens' Advice Bureau

Services

There are two Services each Sunday at Wesley. The main Service (that means the one at which there is the larger congregation!) is at 10:30 and the evening Service is at 18:30. The morning Service follows a relatively traditional pattern of the Preaching of the Word; the evening follows a variety of patterns, is smaller and usually quieter and more reflective. On the second Sunday of each month there is an additional Service at 09:30

Four or five times a year there are Family Services at which all but the tiniest children are present, and which are structured to bear this wide age range in mind. At these the children and young people are particularly encouraged to take part in readings, drama, visual aids, dance etc. At other times, the Junior Church goes to its own groups after the singing of the second hymn.

Holy Communion is normally celebrated at the main Service (10:30) on the first Sunday of the month; at 09:30 (without hymns) on the second Sunday of the month and at 18:30 on the third Sunday of the month (and at Christian Festivals viz Easter). From time to time we have a Family Communion Service when the Junior Church joins with us and receives Communion.

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The Junior Church

• The Junior Church meets on Sunday at the same time as the Morning Service.
• There is a thriving group of teenagers which sometimes remains throughout the service, sometimes shares in its conduct, and sometimes meets on its own with an invited speaker.
• They also meet on Tuesday evenings, usually at the home of their leaders.Young People's Group

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The Creche

There is a creche during the Morning Service on Sunday so that infants and children too young for the Junior Church may be left to sleep or play under supervision while their parents take part in the service. Any parents who have to stay with their children can hear the service via a loudspeaker in the creche room.

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The Chapel

The former sanctuary of the church has been retained as a small chapel which is open for private prayer. It is also used for the 09:30 Communion Service and for other smaller Worship occasions.

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Music at Wesley

The organist and choirmaster is Geoff Batty and from time to time members of the congregation accompany the organ with their own instruments.

The Choir: The Choir rehearse on Friday evenings at 19:00 and sing at morning Worship and on special occasions. It also sings at concerts arranged from time to time. Like many church choirs in the UK, it is always glad to welcome new singers.
The Organ: We are proud of a remarkably fine organ (William Hill 1844) with much of its original pipe work and mahogany casing retained. Originally it was erected in the Eastbrook Hall, Bradford, and when that building was demolished the organ was bought and erected at Wesley in 1990. There are booklets giving its specifications available from the Church Office (£1.50).

Wesley is also the venue for concerts by visiting choirs and musicians. During recent years we have welcomed concerts given by American choirs, the Cambridge Concert Orchestra, the Cambridge University Brass Band, Alison Nicholls (a professional harpist who is also a member at Wesley Church) and a number of organ recitals. There was also a memorable evening given by a Russian 'a capella (voice only) group of six talented soloists from St Petersburg.

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The Cambridge Circuit

Wesley Church is a part of the Cambridge Circuit of Methodist Churches which stretches from Cottenham, 9 Km north of Cambridge, to Royston 22 Km south of the city.

Most recent revision 27 January, 2007