Peak Circuit News 3 Sept
Happy New Connexional Year!
Circuit Eclipse Party
On 12th August, Castleton Methodist Church hosted a special community barbecue, bringing together around 50 people for an evening of food, friendship and fellowship. There was a particularly special reason for gathering, as we were able to witness the wonder of the solar eclipse safely using eclipse glasses.
The local Vicar, Rev Louise Petheram, helped us to understand what was happening, explaining the science behind the eclipse and the remarkable movements of the sun, moon and earth. As we watched together, there was a real sense of awe and wonder at the vastness of the cosmos and all that lies beyond our world.
For Christians, moments such as this can also prompt us to pause and give thanks for the wonders of God’s creation. The beauty, order and sheer scale of the universe remind us of how much there is to discover and how small, yet wonderfully significant, we are within it.
Alongside the eclipse, the evening was filled with good food, laughter and conversation. It was a joyful occasion of hospitality and community, bringing people together and giving us all an opportunity to celebrate both friendship and the wonders of God’s creation.
Woodlands Chapel – Love Feast
At Alport Castle Farm on Sunday, 5th July, around 50 people gathered for the annual Love Feast, keeping alive a cherished Methodist tradition of fellowship, worship, and hospitality.
The event offered time for shared hymns, prayer, and reflection, followed by refreshments and warm conversation. People from across the Peak Methodist Circuit and beyond joined together, sharing testimony and encouragement, and giving thanks for God’s faithfulness.
In her autobiography The Hard Way Up, Hannah Mitchell, a Suffragette, recalled the annual influx of visitors for The Love Feast when she was growing up on the farm.
‘This event was much thought of in the neighbourhood and indeed in many places much further afield. … On Sunday morning we rose early, for by nine o’clock the worshippers began to arrive, mostly on foot, as the big coaches from the distant towns had to be left at the end of the narrow lane. Groups of twenty or thirty arriving in this isolated spot seemed a multitude to us, who rarely saw a stranger from one year’s end to another’.
Surrounded by such a great company of witnesses, we once again held this most moving, poignant and engaging ceremony. The simple, joyful spirit of the Love Feast once again reminded all who attended of the strength found in Christian community.
Diary Dates
Peak Circuit Meeting - Monday 21st September, 7pm at Hathersage Methodist Church.
Peak Methodist Church Annual General Meeting - Thursday 15th October, 7pm at Calver chapel
Coffee and Cakes
Saturday 19 September 10-12 at Hathersage Methodist Church
All proceeds for Action for Children.
Peace exhibition at Hathersage Methodist Church
The International Day of Peace is observed each year on 21 September, to promote global non-violence, human co-operation and peace ideals. Hathersage Methodist Church is marking this throughout September with a 'Peace' theme in the church, which is open to visit 9am to 5pm daily. There is a visiting exhibition from the Methodist Peace Fellowship, plus a display of books about peace and peace-making in the second-hand bookshop. The Sunday Club children have created a giant Peace Dove collage for the front of church, and there are other peace-related activities in the church. Rev Jo Rand will be leading a special service to mark 'Peace Sunday' on 20 September at 10.30am.
People's Emergency Briefing
Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm at Hathersage Methodist Church Hall
Hathersage Methodist Church is hosting a local screening of the ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ film on the threats to British life from ongoing damage to nature and to our climate. This film is hosted by naturalist Chris Packham and is being shown in community halls and workplaces all over the country.To book for the Hathersage screening (or to find other local screenings) visit https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
The Story Cafe
After the success of our first Story Cafe on Sat 1st August we are running another session. Please note that this will be at a later time 2:30pm-4:30pm: Sat 3rd October 2:30-4:30pm Peak Methodist Church – Bakewell
To help with catering please let Chloe know if you are coming-07540 110 199
Water butts on Hathersage Methodist Church Hall
Hathersage Methodist Church has recently installed two water butts on its church hall, to conserve water by collecting rainwater for watering plants. The recent drought has reminded us that we all need to do our bit to save water!
