How Can We Help
The vision of Great Ayton Methodist Church is that we keep Methodist values at our heart are focused on worship and prayer, community based and a place for all. We are an inclusive church that aims to share God's love with all people.
Services
Two church services take place on a Sunday morning. Services take place at 9.00 am on the first and third Sunday of the month and at 10.30 am every week. There may be evening or mid-week services taking place occasionally on special occasions. Everyone is warmly welcome at either of these services; we’d love to have you join us.
Enter the church by the front doors at the top of the sloping path from the High Street. The church sanctuary will be straight in front of you as you turn at the top of the stairs. You will be welcomed by a steward and shown to a seat if necessary. We’re not a formal church and you won’t be expected to know or understand everything! The two services differ with the 9.00 am service being more traditional in nature and the 10.30 am service being more contemporary with a worship band and activities for children. Please see the ‘Worship’ page for more information.
Baptisms
Baptism is the practice of the Methodist Church to welcome your child or yourself into the family of the Church. It is a simple ceremony that usually takes place within a main act of worship so that the baptismal family feel part of the whole church. The service is friendly, welcoming and accessible to all. We do this because God already loves every child; baptism is the affirmation of this. As one of our members said, ‘As a parent myself I really valued having my children welcomed into a church family that is loving and accepting.’
If you would like to discuss making arrangements for your child or yourself or to be baptised, you can do so by contacting Rev Rob Weir (tel: 01642 724968, email: robweir@albatross.me.uk) who will arrange to visit you, give you further information and answer any questions you might have. There is no charge to have a baptism at Great Ayton Methodist Church.
Pictured is the gorgeous Austin Cowen with Rev Lisa Quarmby, our previous minister, at Austin’s baptism in October 2019.
Weddings/renewal of vows
As a Methodist Church we are registered to perform your wedding ceremony for your special day. Whether you are marrying someone of the same sex as you or someone of the ‘opposite’ sex we’d be delighted to perform your wedding ceremony. Our worship space is modern, light, airy space with comfortable seating that can accommodate weddings of the most intimate nature but can seat up to around 120 people if necessary. The service, although traditional is welcoming, friendly and personal to your needs.
The church has a warm, welcoming and spacious hall. This can be used for refreshments after your ceremony or as the venue for a full, non-alcoholic wedding breakfast provided by your chosen caterer. Rental of the hall would be at an additional charge.
We hope that everyone would be able to have a church wedding if they so choose without the price being prohibitively expensive. For this reason we have kept the cost of booking the church for your wedding day to £300.
If you would like to discuss having your wedding ceremony at Great Ayton Methodist Church, you can do so by contacting Rev Rob Weir (tel: 01642 724968, email: robweir@albatross.me.uk)
Funerals
Of the difficult times we will have to face in our lives, the loss of a loved one is surely the hardest. As a church, it is important for us to be alongside you and help in the best way we can by taking the thanksgiving funeral service for your loved one. We’re here to support and care.
Contact Rev Rob Weir (tel: 01642 724968, email: robweir@albatross.me.uk) for more information.
Finding someone to speak to confidentially – a listening ear
The church has a pastoral care team of visitors whose role it is, along with the minister, to listen, support and care for all people in a non-judgemental way.
For more information or if you feel you need support, contact Rev Rob Weir (tel: 01642 724968, email: robweir@albatross.me.uk) or the pastoral leader Eileen Cowen (tel: 01642 723241)
Finding a house group for fellowship
A number of house groups take place throughout the week on different days and different times. These groups are vital to the church and their members. They allow close and supportive friendships to develop, deepen the faith and understanding of their members, generate mission and service initiatives and provide support to people at difficult times in their lives. In many ways they are the glue that hold the church together. House groups all follow the church’s teaching and preaching programme so will use especially prepared written notes to think about matters arising from the set bible reading and topics from the previous Sunday. Although house groups study the same material each has developed its own identity and style based on the members of the group. If you are interested in joining a house group please contact the worship portfolio leader Jeanette Hardy (01642 714799) or the via church office (tel: 01642 725138, email gamc.secretary@gmail.com or via the contact form). They will arrange to allocate you to a group that is suitable and convenient for your needs.
Weekly activities
As a church we provide or host a wide range of activities and events. Our ‘What’s on?’ page contains information of all the regular activities and contact details of the activity leader. If you are interested in joining a house group please see above. Activities provided by external bodies may also have some entry restrictions. As far as possible all activities provided by the church are open to all and you are warmly invited to join us. If you’re in any doubt please contact the church office to ask about any groups or activities you are interested in.
Booking the church or youth hall
Different parts of the premises may be booked either individually or as a whole. For example the church sanctuary and the ‘youth hall’ may be booked separately or together. See the ‘Facilities and room hire page’ for further details
Volunteering
Looking for an opportunity to get involved in a helping capacity? We have lots of volunteering opportunities in groups and activities run by the church (see our ‘What’s on’page for the range of activities and events). From making coffee and catering to working in a children’s group or an activity we are always looking for more help*. If you think you can help in any way please contact the minister, Rev Rob Weir (tel: 01642 724968, email: robweir@albatross.me.uk), a member of our leadership team or the church office (tel: 01642 725138, email gamc.secretary@gmail.com) or drop us a line using the contact form.
*All volunteering opportunities are subject to safe recruitment checks as all roles may involve contact with children or vulnerable adults.
