Weston Methodist Church Bath

a church for all the community

Our Service

It is an important part of our witness to express God's love through our actions, and we try to do this in lots of different ways both locally and on a wider scale.

Many of our members are part of a voluntary scheme called HELPERS which stretches across our neighbourhood.  Local Christians volunteer to undertake tasks such as shopping, DIY, gardening etc. to help individuals in need.

This scheme is run under the umbrella of The Genesis Trust, a church-based charity in Bath which serves the needs of homeless and disadvantaged people.  The Trust has many projects which require the practical help of volunteers and financial support, both of which individual members at Weston provide.

Julian House is a hostel for homeless people where again voluntary support is given by some.  Connected with this are lunch clubs and support groups.

The big regional ROYAL UNITED HOSPITAL is right on our doorstep.  Several medical and support staff regularly attend worship at Weston, and through links via our Local Community Minister and volunteer help with the Chaplaincy Team we try to provide encouragement and support where we can.

The POLICE also make regular use of our premises.  Our Neighbourhood Beat Manager holds a monthly surgery for local residents, where they can drop in to chat with him about issues which concern them.  In 2007, Avon & Somerset Constabulary held a day-long seminar and a Beat Managers' Away Day in the building.  In October the first PACT meeting for Newbridge & Weston was held in the local Primary School, and we hope to host some of the future meetings in our building.  What is PACT?  Click here for more details.

As well as local needs we try to remain aware of the wider picture.  We are a Fairtrade church, so all coffee, tea and sugar used by our own groups on our premises is fairly traded and we try to encourage others who use our rooms by example. 

We took an active part in the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY campaign with a large banner across the front of the church and various events to highlight it through the year.  Some members also attended the national rally in Edinburgh.  Information from Actionaid is regularly made available so we can pray for people around the world, and we take part in the annual Christian Aid house to house collection in the spring in partnership with other local churches.

Our Junior Church are enthusiastic collectors for JMA (Junior Mission for All), a Methodist scheme which supports mission work abroad and at home.  Each year they faithfully collect through boxes, or books which list friends and family who promise a regular contribution.  In the autumn we have a presentation during All Age Worship when collectors receive their rainbow badges.