- Revd Alan R Coustick (Superintendent Minister)
- Methodist Church Office
- Leyburn
- N Yorkshire
- DL8 5EL
01969 625749
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Methodist's believe?
In the eighteenth century, the first people to be called 'Methodists' were a group of friends in Oxford. They were serious about their faith and met regularly for Bible study, prayer and Holy Communion. One of them was John Wesley, who started the movement that eventually became the methodist Church. In his time, a lot of people went to church just out of habit. But Methodists believed that religion should come truly from the heart, and that it had to make a difference to how you lived your life. They met together to try to get some 'method' of making sure that happened.
When Methodists are 'confirmed', and become full members of the church, they make promises similar to all Christian churches. These are the same as the baptism promises:
- to turn away from evil and all that denies God
- to turn to God, trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy Spirit as Helper and Guide.
Will I really be welcome and 'fit in'?
You can be sure of a warm welcome in a Methodist church, whoever you are and however life has treated you. And don't worry if you have lots of doubts and questions about God and Christianity. You'll find that all people who go to church have a mixture of joy and pain, struggles and achievement in our lives. Christians find in church a place where we can be honest with God and with ourselves, and get support from others as we face the demands of everyday life. We are all on a journey of faith - none of us is perfect.
If there is something that you need to talk about or get help with, please ask to see the minister - details are on the 'Contact Us' page.
Isn't going to church just an escape from real life?
No - it takes courage to turn to God or decide to explore what life might really be about. Lots of people are searching for a spiritual meaning that seems missing today. You won't be alone. For some, life is frantically busy, juggling responsibilities that seem overwhelming and leave no space for quiet reflection. For others, there is loneliness and a lack of purpose.
As Methodists, we find in our church community a place where our deepest questions about life can be explored. But there are also opportunities to get involved in practical care for others locally and in the wider society. Every local Methodist church looks for ways to show Christian love in action. And Methodists across the world have joined with other churches to make a real difference to major social evils like human rights abuses, pollution of the earth and Third World Debt. As followers of Jesus, Methodists care about poverty and suffering, and we don't think the church should keep out of politics.
Can I get married in a Methodist Church?
People often turn to the church to help them mark the most important moments of life. We welcome everyone who wishes to enquire about an intended marriage service in a Methodist Church and the ministers will be happy to guide you through the process and tell you of the legal requirements.
The Church believes that it is the will of God that marriage should be a life-long union in body, mind and spirit of one man and one woman. We try to be understanding of the different experiences of life that lead to a marriage being dissolved and we will consider sympathetically the requests of those whose previous marriage has been dissolved.
Many of the churches in our circuit are registered for Marriages: in some places the ministers are authorised to conduct a Marriage without the presence of the Registrar (where one party is resident in the County of North Yorkshire - we don’t make that rule!)
In any of the chapels, we can hold a service of the Blessing of a marriage that has already taken place – whether fifty years ago in the same chapel or in a ceremony overseas last year or in a Register Office ten minutes before.
To find out more, talk to the minister - see the 'Contact Us' page.
Can I have my baby baptised in a Methodist Church?
Can we have a Thanksgiving Service to welcome our newborn child or newly adopted child?
Can I be baptised in a Methodist Church?
We welcome everyone who wishes to enquire about Baptism in a Methodist Church and the minister or Baptism Visitor will be happy to meet with you and talk about the meaning of Christian Baptism and about the different ways of celebrating the birth of a child. Baptisms usually take place during a Sunday worship service. To find out more, talk to the minister - see the 'Contact Us' page.
What happens during Methodist worship?
Methodist worship is quite varied, but you should always find:
- enthusiastic singing of hymns and songs (old and new)
- readings from the Bible in a modern easily understood translation
- heartfelt prayers which relate to what is going on in the world
- preaching which applies the gospel of Jesus to life today.
What else goes on?
Methodist churches often have a variety of activities for the local community such as coffee mornings, women's groups, playgroups, and clubs for children or young people. For details of activities at each of the NYDC churches and chapels, see their individual webpage. Alternatively, check the church notice board or ask the person who greets you at the church door. Often there are special activities for children and young people on Sundays. Whenever things are organised for children or young people, Methodist churches operate a safeguarding policy.
More information on our beliefs and values can be found on the Methodist Church website. For the history of Methodism, click here.