Woodstock Methodist Church – Walking Church

On the second Sunday in August Woodstock Methodist held a 'Walking Church' service. This is when we take our service of worship out of our normal building and into the community and this year we walked to the Hensington House Memorial Garden within Woodstock (just 5 minutes from our church) to continue our worship. This site seemed a very fitting place to worship as the garden is on the site of the former Woodstock Workhouse Chapel. Woodstock Methodist church hold an more relaxed all age service on the second Sunday of every month when we do not have a minister or local preacher assigned to us and members of the church organise the service themselves.

On Sunday 10th August most of the congregation gathered at the Methodist church for a prayer and a song before walking to the gardens, while thinking and talking about things we wanted to thank God for along the way. On arriving at the gardens we joined further members who had already gathered there along with one of the Memorial Garden Trustees, John Banbury.

We shared times of prayer, reflection and music in the gardens and had the opportunity to explore the beautiful space as well as talk to John and view his collection of photos and documents relating to the history and development of the site. A number of people passing by came also came in to join us when they saw something was happening in the gardens.

As John mentioned to us on the day this was the first service of worship on that site for 75 years, so we felt privileged to be there and were grateful to have such a peaceful corner of our town to worship in. In traditional Methodist fashion we returned to church for coffee, tea and biscuits.

This is the reflection we shared during the service:
This was a place where God was found,
a special place, a holy ground,
where scripture, song and fervent prayer,
work and discussion, food and care
have shaped the heritage we share.
This was a place for God.

This was a space where lives were grown,
where faith was shared and love was shown,
where those who came in through the door
were aided to a life restored,
whatever help they did receive
they shared with Christ the air we breathe.
This was a place for God.

This is now a place of quiet and peace,
where rest can be taken and busyness cease,
where people wander day by day,
to pause, to look, to think and stay.
This is still a place for God.