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Matlock Methodist & United Reformed Church, also known within the community as Bank Road Church, is a wonderful building with access for all and modern facilities and is located on the hillside above Matlock Town centre in the Peak District of Derbyshire.
As well as the worship services each week, the Church has a wide variety of groups and activities that meet and provide fellowship and fun for all ages including community groups that regularly use the premises.
This Church is constantly looking to ways of working in the community and reaching out to those in need both locally and further a field with more than just donations. We have committed to supporting Fairtrade products and the Make Poverty History campaign.
Everyone is welcome to come to this Church and it is prayed that they will find rest, refreshment and peace in a caring, praying community and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Message From Our Minister
Latest Manse Musings
Dear Readers,
Nostalgia and 'retro' is all quite fashionable at the moment. Remember the 'good old days' when unemployment was down, house prices were up and there was plenty to go around for the reasonably well-off people in this country? Now the bubble has burst, the media remind us of the mistakes we (collectively - apparently!) have made in the past and we are left looking for the 'feel-good factor'!
Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor are 2 such TV programmes which, I'm assured, can generate such feelings, and since I like being up-lifted as much as I like nostalgia - I'm in my element! Although I have to admit, that after a session with the photo album or 'Strictly' I'm left with a strange feeling of wistfulness, longing and a little bit of emptiness.
In November, we remember: All Souls, and those killed or maimed in wars. All year long and every year, we the church, are called to remember. Every church, everywhere, remembers that on the night before he died, Jesus did certain things and said certain things. On the same night that he was betrayed, Jesus made a memorial for all time with the bread and wine. The broken body and shed blood: 'do this in remembrance of me.' The memory of the church takes us back in a continuous action to an event which is actual, real, concrete like any other historical event.
One generation reminds another, but not in a trip down memory lane, and not for nostalgia. In remembering in the way we do in Holy Communion, or on 11th November, we bring the past, historical events into the present and carry it on into the future. God's saving grace, and men and women's self-sacrificing actions, live and work again through our remembering.
In so many ways throughout this month and over the coming months, we shall remember. We shall also look to the future, sometimes with a sigh, sometimes with a good heart, sometimes with fear and dismay, but thank God in Jesus, always with HOPE.
With love in Jesus
Rev Lyn <><
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Church Membership
The Church has a membership that has been between 100 and 150 in number
in recent years. We are always pleased to welcome new Members and to have the opportunity to encourage non-Members to consider membership.
Membership is transferable between Churches so when Church Members move
to and from an area they can transfer their membership to their local
Church if they wish so that they can fulfil their
obligations as Church Members.
Membership of the Methodist or United Reformed Church is not a requirement
of attending worship services or
any of the regular meetings or activities held in the Church premises.
Church Membership is for when an individual
has reached a decision in their faith life that means they are prepared to
commit themselves to following Jesus Christ
in their daily lives.
As a Member of the Methodist Church you are called to: -
Church Membership preparation classes are held for Christians of all ages and the Church provides the
ongoing support and infrastructure for Church Members to fulfil their commitment to the Church and to Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Worship ServicesThe regular worship services held in our Church are open to anyone to come to, whether Christian or non-Christian. We would ask that when you do come, you respect the setting for those who are worshipping.Sundays other than first of the month
First Sunday of the Month
Third Sunday of the Month (Apr-Sept)
Third Wednesday of each month Our services are led by both ordained Ministers and non-ordained worship leaders, called Lay Preachers and thereby we enjoy a variety of styles of worship that all bring glory to God and seek to strengthen our love of our Lord Jesus. Our Sunday Morning Worship Services regularly have around 70 people attending and other services enjoy a range of attendances with the Worship Room capable of accommodating over 200 people. We enjoy the sound of children and if you do have youngsters with you, they are welcome too. For those who would prefer to retire to our crèche with their youngster,
the sound system in the Church relays into the crèche so that you may still hear the service.
Within the Church chairs there are copies of each of the hymn books and bibles and other service books are provided as
required. We also have large print versions of the books for those who may need them. It is asked that all of these
resources are respected.
Rev. Lyn Houghton is also Minister for Matlock Moor Methodist Church.
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