Matlock Moor Methodist Church

Latest News.

There are Sunday services at Matlock Moor each week  at 10.30am (unless there is a joint or Circuit service elsewhere).  See ‘What’s On’ for more details.

There is a GAMES EVENING on 27th April at 6pm: please come.

Something’s Brewing is every MONDAY 10am-12noon (except Bank Holidays) and Kids’ Club is every WEDNESDAY at 4pm (except in the school holidays). There are also yoga classes and Al-Anon meetings.

 You are very welcome at any event.

We are happy to respond to any query or concern you may have: please use ‘Contact Us’.

Please also visit our facebook page

 

What’s On

HEADLINES (see below for details):

  • WEEKLY SERVICES OF WORSHIP
  • SPECIAL EVENTS
  • and EVERY WEEK:
    • Something’s Brewing  – Monday mornings 10am-12 noon.

    • Kids’ Club – Wednesdays in term-time at 4pm

    • AL-ANON Group – Wednesday evenings.

    • Yoga Classes  – Thursday morning and evening.

 

We take your privacy and data protection seriously: see our Privacy Policy .

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SERVICES OF WORSHIP

There are services (normally weekly) taking place in all the churches of the Methodist Circuit, including those at Matlock, Matlock Moor, Cromford, Tansley and Holloway with some churches also doing services by zoom.

The service at Matlock Moor Chapel & Community Centre (in the main hall) normally starts at 10.30am.  You do not need to wear a mask and we sing hymns but the seating is  slightly distanced where possible. After the service refreshments are served.

Services at Matlock Moor.

March 3rd: the Rev’d Ann Anderson (with Communion)

March 10th: Songs of Praise

March 17th: JOINT service at Matlock Methodist & United Reformed Church (Bank Road)

March 24th at 3pm: PALM SUNDAY  – all children welcome

31st March – EASTER SUNDAY:   Rev’d Tim Bradshaw (with Communion)

We have a small notice board outside the Chapel which provides details of the services for the month and you can find out about any services in the Mid-Derbyshire Methodist Circuit by accessing this link.

There is also a Circuit Facebook page

See https://www.facebook.com/MidDerbyshireMethodistCircuit/

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SPECIAL EVENTS

 

PALM SUNDAY  24th March at 3pm.

There will be lots of craft work to do, hymns and songs, and the story of Easter week. And there will also be tea and cake.

EASTER SUNDAY

31st March at 10.30am with the Rev’d Tim Bradshaw.

The service will include communion.

 

 

 

GAMES EVENING on Saturday April 27th at 6pm.

If you came last time you know what fun it is!  See you all then.

 

 

PAST EVENTS

December 3rd 2023: Christingle service at 4pm – how to make a Christingle.

All children and adults welcome.

December 17th 2023: Community Carol Service at 6pm

Those taking part will be people from the community and everyone is welcome.

December 24th: Carols, Crafts and Cake at 3pm.

With lots of cake, crafts and carols! Do come – it’s a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve.

December 25th – Christmas Day Service

About 45 minutes with carols and the Christmas story. See you there.

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WEEKLY EVENTS

COFFEE MORNINGS

The Something’s Brewing event on Monday mornings (10am – 12 noon) includes free coffee  – or tea or squash or hot chocolate – and biscuits.

We are open each week except for Bank Holidays.

There will always be another activity that you can join in (we’ve had making gifts for Easter, painting pebbles, crochet, knitting) but you can just sit and chat if you wish.

 See also our Facebook page

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KIDS’ CLUB

This takes place at 4pm on Wednesdays for an hour in term time. Use the ‘Contact us’ form on the website to ask about vacancies or any other matter.

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WARM SPACE

This finished at the end of March 2023.

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YOGA

9.30 – 10.45 am  &  6.30 – 7.45 pm

The classes on Thursday mornings and evenings are mixed ability yoga classes and held in the large hall.  Entry is by the front porch. (COVID-19 requirements have been agreed with the church trustees.)

They are run by Rachael Claxton who is a FRYOG Diploma Yoga Trained Teacher who qualified in 2013 and teaches Hatha Yoga.  Along the way she has also taken other courses and workshops and has integrated these into her classes too.

Contact Rachael for further information at r-claxton@sky.com or 07901508708.

Everyone is welcome to attend these classes which cater for a wide range of abilities.

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MORE ON PRAYER & WORSHIP

The prayer section of the Methodist Church web-site has this suggestion for fridge prayers: “Stick a favourite prayer up on the fridge door, then each time you visit the fridge, you can say that prayer. (It need not be ‘Please help me to choose the slimline yoghurt, not the cream cake’!)”.

You might also be interested in these other ways to join in worship:

Methodist Central Hall in London live streams its service at 11am: click here.

Wesley’s Chapel in London: the live streaming of Sunday services can be accessed via the Wesley Chapel website (which gives details of their daily morning prayer and Sunday services) or YouTube 

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SOME OF OUR PAST SERVICES & EVENTS

Barn Dance and Harvest Festival

Saturday 30th September and  Sunday 1st October.

The Barn Dance was at 6.30pm and the Harvest Festival at 10.30am.

Heritage Open Day  – “Creativity Unwrapped” 2023

This was on 9th September, entry was free and the Chapel hosted a feast of beautiful art, pottery, glass and textiles made by local artists who were present to display and talk about their work and also other members of our community with skills in quilting, bobbin lace-making and crochet.

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Past events

BARN DANCE and HARVEST FESTIVAL

Many boxes of dry goods and tins were taken to the Matlock Food Bank after people had left goods throughout the week.

HERITAGE OPEN DAY 10th September 2022

This was part of a national event which was not cancelled on account of the death of Queen Elizabeth II because it is a community event and it was felt it should go ahead.

EASTER SUNDAY 17th April 2022 4-6pm: A Family Party

We had a great time with lots of crafts and food. Many thanks to everyone who came and to all those who helped.

MHA (Methodist Homes) SERVICE: 13th June 2021

The Rev’d David Lindo led this service and the discussion afterwards. We are very grateful for the service and his work as Chaplain at the Maple Leaf House, Ripley.

PENTECOST: 23rd May 2021

We re-opened Matlock Moor church for a wonderful service at Pentecost on May 23rd, led by the Rev’d Colin Smith.  We are still not allowed to sing hymns  inside the church so we went outside for the last hymn and sang ‘The Spirit lives to set us free … Walk, walk in the light’.

Christian Aid service 9th May 2021

Matlock Moor hosted a Matlock area service by zoom on Sunday. The readings and prayers were read by friends and it included a short video from Christian Aid.

EASTER  2021 (all by zoom)

  • Maundy Thursday –  led by the Rev’d Colin Smith and you can access here the Passover Order of Service for Maundy Thursday 2021  by clicking on it.
  • Good Friday  – the Rev’d Helen Penfold led the service by zoom at 10.30am from Matlock Methodist and United Refomed Church.
  • Easter Day  – led by the Rev’d Helen Penfold from Matlock Methodist and United Refomed Church.

On Sunday 24th January 2021 we held a METHODIST LOVE FEAST SERVICE led by the Rev’d Helen Penfold.

This is a service with a long history: John Wesley and the early Methodists celebrated it and so did those Methodists called ‘Primitive Methodists’ in the 19th century but then it fell into disuse. Now it is suitable for a service via zoom.

The Love Feast, or Agape, is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry. Cake and  drink is shared. By zoom of course everyone has to provide their own cake or biscuits and a drink of tea or coffee or similar. Here is an old recipe if you want to have a go at making it:

A traditional Love Feast Cake Recipe
Adapted from the Middlesmoor Lovefeast Bread used in the Yorkshire Dales at the time of
John Wesley
• 1lb (400g) plain flour
• 1oz (25g) baking powder
• 5oz (125g) butter
• 8oz (200g) sugar
• 2oz (50g) mixed peel
• 4oz (100g) sultanas
• 2 eggs
• About half a pint (280ml) of milk
• Mix the flour and baking powder together, rub in the butter, then add the sugar, sultanas
and peel.
• Beat the eggs together with a little milk and add to the dry ingredients.
• Add the rest of the milk to make a soft consistency.
• Pour the mixture into two loaf tins or a large cake tin.
Cook at 180°C (350°F) or gas mark 4 for at least 45 minutes for the loaf tins, or 1 hour for
the large cake tin.

This works fine if you use half quantities and put it in a loaf tin. You can also substitute 6 oz (3oz) mixed dried fruit for the peel + sultanas.

 Christmas Eve 2020

On Christmas Eve the church was open from 4-5pm with the organ playing carols and the church candle lit.  Wrapped cake was taken home after the visit and we enjoyed it.

 Saturday 15th February: Quiz Supper at 7pm. 

This was again a great success with a full house.

Tuesday 24th December: Family Carols & Cake at 3pm. 

This Christmas Eve hour of singing and  – of course – cake has proved very popular in the last few years  – and did again this year.

Sunday 22nd December: Community Carol Service at 7pm.  

Well known carols, new poems by Jane Taylor, Bible readings by local residents and seasonal refreshments afterwards. A lovely service.

13th – 15th September: Heritage Open Days Weekend.

A really interesting talk on the Friday evening Friday evening  – “What’s in a Name?”  – which took the names of the new estate roads and explained how they relate to the history of Matlock Moor and the Lumsdale valley. Thanks to Alan for doing the displays about the history of the chapel and the area which we used on Saturday. On the Sunday afternoon the Lumsdale section of the Arkwright Society led two groups down the Lumsdale Valley  –  also as part of the HOD weekend. Many people went to the Smithy for refreshments  – thanks to Rachael and her team.

Sunday 2nd June: Matlock Moor Big Lunch

Although we had to stay inside  because of the rain we had a really happy time  – everyone contributed lots of great food and we talked to new and old friends.

Sunday 12th May: A Proper Afternoon Tea!

We had good attendance and ate lots of scones and cake! £186 .50p was raised for Christian Aid and as several people gift-aided their donations Christian Aid will be able to claim back more. Many thanks to all who baked and/or came to tea.

Saturday 4th  May: Quiz Supper

As usual a great evening with good food and some interesting questions.  Over 40 people came and the teams were very competitive! Thanks to Betty, the cooks and bakers, the furniture movers – and the dishwasher.


EASTER DAY: 21st April

We had a continental breakfast at 9am, an Easter egg hunt and an informal Easter celebration service with Holy Communion. A really lovely morning.

Mothering Sunday Service: 31st March

All of us enjoyed making posies as part of a really interesting cafe style service – with, of course, cake!

Saturday 2nd March:  Quiz Supper

54 of us enjoyed great food, excellent questions, and had fun! Thanks especially to Gill (catering), Neil (Quiz Master) and Angie (gluten-free cakes) – as well as all the other makers and buyers of salads, quiches, bread and cake.

Tuesday 26th February:  Neighbourhood Natter.

We were joined by Gwen Emegbo from Christian Aid who told us about the background to new projects involving the production of tea, coffee and honey (which we all tasted). A really interesting morning.

Friday 25th January at 6.30pm  – Games Evening with Pie & Pea Supper.

The pies and peas supplied by Elizabeth Towe from the local Sandy Lane Farm were much appreciated and all the tables seemed to be engrossed in various board and card games.

Sunday 23rd at 10.30am:  Christmas Communion

A wonderful service led by the Rev’d Colin Smith.

FAMILY CAROLS & CAKE: Christmas Eve at 3pm

Mrs Jennie Binks persuaded young and old alike to build up the crib scene  – in between eating cake!

Candlelit Community Carol Service: Sunday 16th December at 7pm

Over 50 people came from the neighbourhood. Special thanks are due to Jane Taylor for the new poems.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Thursday 6th December 7pm.

Another lovely concert from Darley Hillside Choir.

QUIZ SUPPER: Saturday 24th November 7pm.

Forty of us enjoyed good food and questions which were a  nice mix of hard and easier!

CELEBRATION RE-OPENING SERVICE:  Sunday 18th November at 3pm

The wonderful re-dedication service was led by the Rev’d Helen Penfold (Minister for Matlock Moor) and the Rev’d Robert Foster (Circuit Superintendent) and a challenging address was given by the Rev’d Loraine Mellor (District Chair and President of the Methodist Conference 2017-8).  It was followed by far too much tea and cake!  We are very grateful that the Vice Chairman of Derbyshire Dales District Council, the Mayor of Matlock, and several councillors attended as well as a very large congregation of friends from churches in Matlock, and the Methodist Circuit and District.

The chapel is very grateful for all the support and help given by so many people over the past two years and particularly in the past week. We also thanks the builders, plumbers, painters, and electrician who have worked so hard, especially over the last two weeks.

 

Heritage Open Days:   September 14th -15th

Despite the rain on Friday we had two enjoyable walks starting at the chapel – and then lots of cake and tea at a nearby home!

Church Anniversary Service and Tea: August 19th

Not daunted by the lack of our building we celebrated at a nearby house the 115th Birthday of the chapel which had its opening service on August 20th.

Big Lunch: Sunday 3rd June

Another happy event where we met new friends.

Lumsdale Garden Party: 26th May 

Almost £2000 was raised for the Arkwright Society’s upkeep of the valley. A really happy and sunny community event.

Lumsdale: a different view: 7pm Wednesday 2nd May

Local premiѐre of a unique laser scan fly-through of the nearby Lumsdale valley by Terra-Measurement and an update on the latest research about the industries that used to operate in the valley. A full house and much enjoyed. Many thanks to Andy Beardsley and Alan Piper.

Community Quiz Supper 24th March: again a great success.

SNOW:  the cafe style service on March 4th took place – boots, wellies, sticks and all!

Community Quiz 20th January: 50 of us had a great evening. Many thanks to our quiz master Neil, and to Betty and all those who helped with food and clearing away.

Family Carols and Cake  Sunday 24th December: a wonderful hour of singing, sticking, unwrapping and cake! Many thanks to Jennie Binks.

Candlelit Community Carol Service Sunday 17th December

Many thanks to Andrew Spolton and all the readers.

Candlelit Christmas Concert Thursday 14th December

Darley Hillside Choir: great evening as usual.

Quiz Supper Saturday 11th November  2017

Fantastic evening!

Harvest Weekend 30th Sept – 1st October 2017

As always the Harvest Supper went down well whilst the Harvest Festival Service was interesting and challenging.

The Heritage Open Days Weekend 8th – 10th September 2017.

Ten of us enjoyed the “Stone, lead and brick” walk  and several other people also called in on the Friday afternoon.The chapel was also open on Saturday morning and most of Sunday with a steady stream of interested visitors. In particular we enjoyed the 11am ‘Heritage Service’ when several members dressed in Edwardian costume (see ‘Photos’ tab).   A great – and fun – weekend!

The Church Anniversary Weekend  August 12th-13th

The Darley Hillside Choir gave its Summer Concert on the Saturday 12th evening and a celebration service was held on the Sunday morning, followed by a light lunch. Both events were really joyful occasions.

Quiz Supper: Saturday 4th March 2017 at 7pm 

Thanks to Keith Bamford for setting and asking the questions, to those who made the preparations, and to all who attended and gave generously.

Christmas Eve 2016 at 4pm: Family Carols and Cake

Many parents, grandparents and children attended and enjoyed this new venture.

Christmas Carol Concert:  8th December 2016

Once again we are very grateful to Darley Hillside Choir for their very enjoyable programme of music and seasonal stories.

The Harvest Celebration weekend: 1st-2nd October 2016

We enjoyed a Pea and Pie Supper on Saturday evening; on Sunday morning we thought about our duty to share God’s goodness.

The Heritage Open Days 2016: September 8-11th 2016

The theme was Matlock Moor: Past, Present and Futurewith ramble, talk and displays – all well attended.  It was also great to meet members from churches in the other parts of the Circuit on Sunday afternoon.

Church Anniversary concert:  Saturday July 16th 2016

Many thanks to Darley Hillside Choir and to those who provided refreshments.

Big Lunch 2016: Sunday June 12th 2016 Big Lunch 2

We again enjoyed this get-together of the local community: thanks to everyone who contributed.  

The Christmas Candlelight Concert:  10th December 2015.

We had a full church for this concert presented by Darley Hillside Choir: many thanks to them.

Harvest Supper: Saturday 3rd October  2015

We had a great evening with a pie & pea supper and home-made entertainment! Many thanks to Eileen.

Heritage Open Days weekend: 11th-13th September 2015

About 60 people came to hear Julian Burgess talk about the Lumsdale Project and others came on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to find out about the history of the chapel.  We were delighted to meet so many  new friends and make links between family histories.