Covid-19: Important Information

**UPDATE JANUARY 2021**

Following the recent announcement of a third national lockdown, Wesley Methodist Church will remain closed until further notice (with the exception of Leigh Wesley Pre-school). This decision has been made with a heavy heart, but we look forward with hope to a time when we can join together in worship in the church building again. In the meantime, our online services will continue – please see the details below, including the start of Zoom services alongside those on YouTube. Although the church building is closed, we remain together whilst apart – please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any support.

**UPDATE 8TH AUGUST 2020**

Face coverings are now mandatory in places of worship. Please wear a face covering when in the church building. If you do not have one, there will be some available. If you are exempt, please just let one of the stewards know.

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Church closure during Covid-19 pandemic – statement

Following UK Government and Methodist Church in Britain guidance, it is with sadness that we inform you that Wesley Methodist Church is CLOSED until further notice. This includes all worship services, Fusion and Fusion+, Parent & Toddler, all church groups and the Coffee Shop.

If you are a hirer, please speak to your contact.

For further information please email info@wesleymethodist.org.uk

Contact details for the church Leadership Team and Minister can be found here, as well as at the top right of the website homepage.

The website and this page will be updated regularly; please bear with us as we amend and update content.

Coronavirus guidance from The Methodist Church in Britain is available here.

We will share information from our Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

Worship whilst the church is closed

Wesley Methodist Church: Pastor Steve is posting services online each week – details and links can be found on our Together Whilst Apart page, along with details of all the initiatives we are running throughout this pandemic. Please do take a look!

We also regularly share prayers and resources on our Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

Telephone Befriending

One of our church members is a volunteer telephone befriender with Age Concern. If you would like to use this service, please get in touch directly with Age Concern:

Age Concern

Address: 134 Hamlet Court Road.

Telephone: 01702 345373

(Manned 11am to 2pm)

Email: enquiry@acsos.co.uk

Southend & Leigh Circuit of the Methodist Church: The Southend & Leigh circuit newsletter includes details of all the services, resources and activities that are available across the circuit whilst the church buildings are closed. The newsletter can be accessed via the circuit website here.

The Methodist Church in Britain: Methodist Church podcasts are available here, with lots of other helpful news, resources, prayers and such available through the homepage.

The Methodist Church also has a Dial-A-Prayer service available; FREE phone lines for prayers and news from the Methodist Church. Content is updated weekly on Thursday afternoon.

Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514

Listen to news: 0808 281 2478

Singing the Faith Plus: this website has service sheets that can be downloaded – here.

Roots: free resources for worship from home can be found here.

Wesley’s Chapel: Wesley’s Chapel in London will continue to live-stream worship, adapted for no physical congregation. Service times: Wednesday 12:45pm, Thursday 12:45pm, Sunday 9:45am and 11:00am. All these services will be available on their YouTube Channel.

Swan Bank Methodist Church: Swan Bank Methodist Church in Burslem will also live-stream worship. Service Time: Sunday 10:30am. The service will be available on YouTube and Facebook.

Methodist Central Hall Westminster: lots of videos of sermons available on their YouTube channel.

Taize: at 7:30 p.m. GMT every evening, a prayer with a small group of brothers will be broadcast live from the community via Facebook. Their page can be found here.

The Church of England: More information on all the Church of England’s online services can be found on their website and facebook page.

Greenbelt: Recordings of past Greenbelt communion services (going back to 2005) are available on the Greenbelt Website.

Rev Dr Calvin Samuel: Rev Dr Calvin Samuel is a Methodist Minister within our Southend and Leigh Circuit, and is minister at Rochford and Rayleigh Methodist Churches. Online services and prayers are available on his Youtube Channel.

Additional Resources

The Methodist Church has issued guidance on speaking to children about the virus and some resources associated with it – see their Talking to Young People page here.

The Methodist Church website also have some Holy Week resources for children, young people and families, available here.

Financial Situation

During the period of coronavirus our church will be closed for a number of weeks and potentially months. This will mean a significant drop in our income both from the offertory on Sunday and from our room hire which amounts to around £6,200 per month. Our insurance does not cover this. If you are able and willing please think about making an additional ad hoc donation however large or small.

Bank details are:

Account Name: Leigh Wesley Methodist Church

Sort Code: 09-01-52

Account No: 15898702

The food banks are also suffering from a drop in donations and as the church is closed we are unable to be a drop off point for weekly gifts. In the interim and as an alternative, the foodbank would be grateful for any financial donations. You can donate directly to them – details on their website.

Thank you for all you are able to give.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (NRSV)