Weardale
Methodist Church
Covid-19
March 2022
We are continuing to meet in the church building, which allows more space and ventilation. Masks are no longer mandatory and sign-in is not required. Please respect people who do still want to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
We are currently holding two or three services a month in the church, one online Circuit service (on our YouTube channel), and joining with St Thomas' for the other Sunday. See the Calendar for details of upcoming services.
September 2021
At the beginning of August, Stanhope Methodist Church reopened for services, although not on every Sunday. At the moment, we are meeting in the church building with doors open for ventilation and people are asked to wear masks and to social distance. We are also asking people to sign in, so that we can trace everyone in the event that anyone subsequently tests positive for Covid.
The West Durham Circuit will continue to hold online worship services once a month, which are shown on our YouTube channel. See the Calendar for details of upcoming services.
April 2021
Stanhope Methodist Church remains closed for worship services but is available for funerals. We will be reviewing this at our next Church Council meeting in May.
The West Durham Circuit will continue to hold online worship services, once a fortnight, which are shown on our YouTube channel. In the intervening weeks, we will be holding services on Zoom. Contact us for more information.
Some churches in the area are open, including St Thomas in Stanhope and Wolsingham Methodist church.
January 2021
Stanhope Methodist Church remains closed for worship services but is available for funerals. In the latest lockdown, places of worship are allowed to open, but we have made the decision that, at the moment, this is not advisable. We will be reviewing this decision as the situation changes.
The West Durham Circuit continues to holding regular worship services, which are shown on our YouTube channel.
24th November 2020
The buildings of Stanhope Methodist Church are currently closed due to Covid-19, but will soon be reopening for funerals. (If you would like to arrange a funeral at the church, please contact the minister.) However, the Church is not the buildings, the Church is a community of Christians who meet to worship God, who support and encourage each other. Stanhope Methodist Church is open!
May 2020
Since the lockdown started in March this year, our church community has moved online. Our Bible Study group meets weekly using Zoom. With the West Durham Methodist Circuit, we are holding regular Sunday Worship services, either streamed on our YouTube Channel or as Zoom discussions.
When the lockdown restrictions start to ease, we will be discussing the options for re-opening our buildings and re-starting services in those buildings. Currently, there are still restrictions over the type of services that could take place - social distancing rules still apply, no singing, no tea/coffee, short services. We feel that it is too early to reopen, so for the moment we are continuing with our online services and events. We also recognise that we may never return to the style of worship as it was before Covid.
These are difficult times but also exciting times with new opportunities! As God said through Isaiah:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God,
...
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
Isaiah 43: 1-3, 18-19 (NIV)