A Word from one of our Ministers

Friends,

As I sit down to write this on the morning of the longest day, and the earth’s axis movement stops and begins its long journey in other direction again, I want to reflect on the year so far. As the year progresses, it seems like a fitting time to think about how far we have come and what we have been up to over the last few months. We might, towards the end, think about what lies ahead but let’s have a celebration first!

I conceived the idea of year of celebration for the 250th anniversary of the first Methodist presence in Horsham, and you as a church have taken the idea and expanded it. We have had all kinds of experiences already this year, from the uniformed organisations doing their great British Cycle Ride and the wonderful Craft Fair in March, to the brilliant Church Holiday which many of us have not long returned from at the beginning of June. From the start, this year has been about building relationships, deepening faith and growing community together. It is also an opportunity to connect with the wider community and share something of Methodism’s distinctiveness with them.

The Wesley Weekend brought education about the Wesleys’ early years and the impact that the spiritual devotion of their mother, Susannah, had on them. We heard from John Wesley himself on the Sunday morning, and give thanks for Peter Bramhill’s powerful interpretation of one of Wesley’s original sermons. The meals that we shared that weekend were times of fellowship and friendship. 

The Craft Fair was preceded by Sunday afternoon crafting sessions, which those who came along really enjoyed and spoke of the fun they had had, trying out something new, sharing time with others on a Sunday afternoon, and creating something worthwhile, not just in the craft items that were made but in the community that developed. Yes, the Craft Fair raised a good chunk of money for the church, but the event itself saw people from across Horsham and beyond streaming into the chapel within minutes of the opening time, and we got to know many more people that day.  

I first went to Sizewell in 2022, when the District paid for me to have a retreat there because the official District Probationers’ Retreat was happening in Malta, and I don’t fly. I stayed in one of the cottages on site, and was captivated by the place. Whilst there, I asked for a look in the big house and the caretaker was pleased to show me around, and from then on, I was determined to take a group there: we finally got there this summer.

Why there? It is a big house, which we had exclusively to ourselves, and it is not posh. It’s a bit like being in a slightly shabby stately home – things work, and they are comfortable, but it isn’t extravagant in its provision. Sizewell has character, and it is a place where I knew we could build community, sharing time together in lots of different ways.  And it is by the sea, right by the sea. It offers space to think, to reflect, but also the opportunity to do things together – and we did. People joined together to sing around a campfire, to go on walks, to do a jigsaw, to collaborate on projects, scientific and crafty, but there was also the time and space to go on early morning walks alone along the beach or on the coastal paths, to sit on the benches overlooking the sea and just reflect. We shared worship, we did some washing up in teams, we laughed – o, how we laughed!! When I asked for feedback, someone shared the slogan, “Live well at Sizewell,” and we did. We ate well too, thanks to the caterers who came in each day to make our lunch and dinner, and we enjoyed the time together. What many appreciated was the chance to get to know others outside of the business of church meetings, serving rotas and commitments: those strengthening relationships across our church matter.  There has been a general indication that people would like to go again so I am working on that…

And what lies ahead? 

Our Away Day early in July will focus on “Going back to our Roots” as we continue to explore who we are as Methodists and what that means for us in the future. We are excited to share that day with you all. In September, we have a Walk coming up on the 12th which will encourage at least 50 people to walk 5k around Horsham (because 50 x 5 = 250!) and for it to be a walk of witness. The following week we have the Born In Song concert on the 19th, which will showcase the entries from the competition to write songs and poetry, and also just have a jolly good sing! October sees the launch of the church Cookbook that you have contributed to so generously with your favourite recipes, and in November we are having another Craft Fair at London Road as well as the annual Coffee Morning at Partridge Green.

The final flourish will mark another personal ambition realised as we hold a Band Concert on 6th December with Horsham Borough Band. I invite you to attend, get involved as a participant or a contributor, experience these opportunities to engage with community life in all its joy, and see the changes happening right in front of you.

There are difficult times ahead as we still grapple with declining membership, challenging building issues and uncertainty with finances, but actually, Jesus calls us into discipleship together first and foremost. Learning to be more like Jesus, growing in love and commitment to the gospel and to the Kingdom, and sharing that joy with the world – those things will hold us together when the challenges of the world would tear us apart. Let’s remember then, building community matters. Let’s continue to do that together.

When we reflect on 2026 at the end of the year, I pray that it will have been a year in which we have drawn closer together and have seen the bonds of friendship and fellowship grow ever stronger.  When we are committed to that, the challenges are easier to overcome and to find ways through. Jesus is our light and our beacon in difficult days, and by being a strong and resilient community, we can help one another to keep turning toward the light, day after day.

In Christ,
Sarah