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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Methodism
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HCH
Shipmate
# 14313
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Posted
I am thinking of visiting Devon and Cornwall this spring. At home, I normally attend a United Methodist church, and I know that Cornwall, in particular, contains many Methodists. If I want to attend a Methodist church in Cornwall, what differences should I expect?
Posts: 1540 | From: Illinois, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
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Posted
Well, if you're offered a scone, don't put the cream on before the jam.
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Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
Not a service (unless you're lucky). But, if you're interested in Methodist history, go to Gwennap Pit where Wesley preached.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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mark_in_manchester
not waving, but...
# 15978
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Posted
quote:
what differences should I expect?
Well, I'm a Methodist in NW England, not SW - but I would expect rural Methodist churches here to be very, very small these days - less than 10 people might not be unusual. If you want to have a good sing and meet a few people it would be a good idea to have a google and see if you can find a big circuit church in a town somewhere, rather than dropping into a chapel at random wherever you are staying.
Although, me and my girls had a lovely time one Sunday morning with 4 others (including preacher) in a small church in N.Wales next to our camp site.
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"We are punished by our sins, not for them" - Elbert Hubbard
(so good, I wanted to see it after my posts and not only after those of shipmate JBohn from whom I stole it)
Posts: 1596 | Registered: Oct 2010
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
HCH
Would you please describe what you are used to as Methodist Worship?
This will give us some idea on what to comment on. Speaking from what was once Methodist heartland I can say there are definite flavours.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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HCH
Shipmate
# 14313
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Posted
I am aware that the United Methodist church here in the U.S. is different in some ways from the Methodist church in Britain. I don't want to be taken too much by surprise. For instance, the U.M. church has bishops and as I understand it, British Methodism does not, but I doubt if that affects a typical Sunday service much. The U.M. church practices an open communion table, but I am unsure if this is true elsewhere. There are questions of "high" versus "low". I am unsure what to wear to church on my trip; should I carry one nice outfit or will no one care?
Some of the responses given so far are helpful. I will have to look up the location of Gwennap Pit.
Posts: 1540 | From: Illinois, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
Smart casual should be okay. 'Sunday best' doesn't really exist any more, probably because most modern Methodists are able to wear decent, clean clothes the rest of the week.
My lifelong experience of British Methodism is that it's mostly low, but I understand that some circuits can lean towards high. Contemporary worship probably exists where the demographic is much lower than the Methodist average, or where there's a serious evangelistic impulse, but I don't know if that's the case where you're going.
If you google the area you want to visit you might find some websites to show you what's available. If a congregation has no website that's often a sign that it's low church and low key, IMO.
[ 10. February 2017, 15:21: Message edited by: SvitlanaV2 ]
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
Just to clarify: when I referred to the demographic being lower I meant lower in age.
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
Open communion has been practised by Methodists here usually* as long as I can recall. I expect that most have service of the Word most week with communion monthly. Some will have members come up to the rail at communion, some will distribute communion to people in the pew (I have experienced both). My dominant experience of Methodism is the lowest of the low** so maybe biased.
Jengie
*I can think of one exception in my experience and it was heavily scorned by many in the congregation.
**This in UK Methodist terms. The congregation was proud of being that.
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
This may well be wide of the mark, but my impression is that Methodists in the South West of England and the North of England tend to be more more evangelical in tone than those in the South East - but don't expect a holy-roller service.
Expect some decent hymn-singing and, if you are lucky, a thoughtful and engaging sermon. It'll depend on who is 'on' that week though, with the circuit system being what it is.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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BroJames
Shipmate
# 9636
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Posted
You've probably already looked, but the Methodist Church website is a pretty good online starting point with links through to the Methodist Districts (Cornwall and Plymouth and Exeter cover the relevant area). You can drill down to Circuits, and quite often to individual Chapels with an indication of their service times etc, and their life and activities.
Posts: 3374 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2005
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Barnabas Aus
Shipmate
# 15869
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Posted
We stayed at Tyne Wells B&B in Launceston when touring in 2011. The owners are very involved in one of the rural Methodist chapels close to town [South Petherwin??], and were happy for we Australian Anglicans to join in worship. As it was Mothering Sunday, we politely declined and went to the early service at the ancient church of St Stephen which gave its name to the town. We were able to bring home the potted violets from that service for the lady of the house, which allowed us a lovely thanks for their hospitality.
Posts: 375 | From: Hunter Valley NSW | Registered: Sep 2010
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St. Gwladys
Shipmate
# 14504
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Posted
Friends of ours went to the chapel in Marazion whilst staying in the Penzance area.
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"Careful what you say sir, we're on board ship here"
From "New York Girls", Steeleye Span, Commoners Crown (Voiced by Peter Sellers)
Posts: 3333 | From: Rhymney Valley, South Wales | Registered: Jan 2009
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daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
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Posted
For something a bit alternative, while still being Methodist, you could try Tubestation at Polzeath.
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
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