The Methodist Church is quite broad in its outlook whilst holding an orthodox view of Christianity.

Here are some of our beliefs.

The Trinity. We believe in one God who is a trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God the Father. God created the universe.

God loves everyone unconditionally.

Human beings can get to know God through prayer and worship and can experience Him through having an intimate relationship where we know Him personally.

God the Son. God lived on earth as Jesus. Whilst on earth Jesus was both fully God and fully man.

Jesus was born to Mary but conceived of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was subject to pain, suffering and sorrow like other human beings. Jesus was executed by crucifixion but rose from the dead at the resurrection. Jesus died on the cross so that those who believe in him will be forgiven of their sins and have an assurance of spending eternity with Him in heaven. The life of Jesus provides teaching and an example of how God wants us to live.

God the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach, inspire and empower. The Holy Spirit continues today in his role of guiding, comforting and encouraging Christians.

We value the opportunity to meet together to study the Bible and help each other to grow and deepen our understanding of our Heavenly Father. We aim to celebrate His love, grace and mercy as He touches our lives in a living relationship with Him.

Where We Belong

The Methodist Church is still organised in a methodical way using many of the structures introduced by its founder, John Wesley. However the Church is quite pragmatic, and is willing to make changes where they seem desirable.

Structures are there to enable decision making that takes account of all concerns and views within the Church. No one is given supreme authority — consultation is vital. At the same time, churches cannot simply arrange their own affairs, but have some shared disciplines and ways of working.

• The Connexion Methodists are linked together in a 'Connexion' of Churches, Circuits and Districts.

• The local church is the congregational place of worship, where Methodist members and attenders are nurtured and have the opportunity to share and grow.

• The Circuit is a group of local churches, served by a team of local preachers and ministers including the Superintendent Minister.

• The District serves a geographical group of circuits and is led by the District Chair.

The Conference The annual Methodist Conference meets in different places and is the supreme decision making body of the Church. At the start of Conference a new President and Vice-President are appointed to preside over the Conference and spend the year travelling around the Connexion and abroad, representing the Methodist Church.

How We Behave

We understand that believing in God affects us both individually and corporately as a church.

Our individual response can be summed up in a part of the Bible known as the letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 5 we are encouraged to:

• Get a life of being loved (we are God's dearly loved children)

• Get a life of being love (involving service, sacrifice and not being self centred)

• Get a life of pure lips (No obscenity, no foolish talk, no coarse joking but lots of thanksgiving)

• Get a life as living as children of the light (having a was/now comparison, seeing the difference being a Christian makes — a new life of goodness and truth)

• Get a life of learning (Find out what pleases the Lord, expose deeds of darkness and let Christ shine on and through you)

• Get a life that has learnt (To take opportunities, knowing a Spirit filled life is better than an earthly filled life. Speak and sing God's praises. Say thank you for God's grace. Support and submit to one another)

Another book in the Bible records the beginning of the church. It's called the Acts of the Apostles and in Chapter 2 we see a good role model for the church today.

Their lifestyle was expressed in 5 ways:

1. Witness — they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the breaking of bread and to prayer

2. Wonders - miracles occurred that encouraged and amazed everyone

3. Wallet — they sold their possessions and goods and gave to those in need

4. Walk — Every day they enjoyed meeting in the temple and in each other's homes

5. Worship — They couldn't stop praising God for all his goodness!