Our church is a community of people who are drawn together by God’s love as they know it, expressed in the story of Jesus – his birth and life, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection.
We seek to follow the way of Jesus and live to share God’s love through action and word in the world. Because this experience of Jesus Christ has so shaped our lives, we invite others to share in the love, life and hope that is freely given to us.
Roots
The Methodist Church is a worldwide communion of over 70 million people which originated from the time of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, in the mid-eighteenth century. John was ordained by the Church of England and he and his hymn writer brother Charles, were members of a group of young men who met daily to pray and study the Bible whilst at Oxford University. Nicknamed “the Holy Club”, they were so methodical in their lifestyle that they were called Methodists, a name which eventually became that of the religious movement which followed.
John Wesley visited Ireland twenty-one times, where he preached in thirty-one of the thirty-two counties. Read more about the Methodist Church history.
Today
The Methodist Church in Ireland has 212 churches or ‘societies’ with a total community membership of around 53,000.
Worship Service
- You’ll be welcomed at the door.
- Children stay with their parents for the first part of the service during which there will be a message especially for them. The younger children then leave to go to another room where they enjoy Sunday School.
- There are readings from the Bible, from the Old and New Testaments and occasionally with responsive readings from the Psalms.
- Methodism is said to be ‘born in song’, so singing is a vital part of worship. Charles Wesley wrote thousands of hymns for use in worship and also to help teach the predominately illiterate people of the time the basis of Christian faith and theology. Contemporary songs and traditional hymns are sung.
- The minister or a local preacher will give a sermon which will be based on a reflection of the readings from the Bible, the Word of God.
- The minister or a member of the congregation will lead prayer in their own words as the occasion demands.
- Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of every second month. Participation is open to all who know and love the Lord Jesus but it is not mandatory.
- An offering of money is collected during the service to help support the work of the church.
About Rev. Eleanor Hayden & Mr. Gareth Hayden
Eleanor and Gareth have very much enjoyed all the blessings that God has bestowed on them in the Omagh and Fintona Circuit. As a family they have a Son Philip, a Daughter Emma married to Steve….. And most excitingly prior to arriving on circuit a new granddaughter called Grace.
In the far distant past….Eleanor attended the North Down College of Nursing Ulster Hospital Dundonald and enjoyed a career in Nursing (R.G.N) for approximately fifteen years. Whilst in the ‘Rehabilitation Stroke Unit’ of Lurgan Hospital (1985) she was part of a professional ‘Caring Team’ working alongside Medical Staff, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social workers and Patients family. Following marriage, she and Gareth returned to Co. Fermanagh and settled into community life serving God locally. Among other roles they both shared in the leadership of Tempo Coffee Bar and gained experience worshipping alongside various dominations. Prior to Edgehill College, Eleanor worked as a Circuit Evangelist (Newtownbutler, Lisnaskea and Drumady for eight years and as a 3rd year student from Edgehill was stationed in Pettigo and Irvinestown. After Ordination (2011) she was appointed Superintendent of Lisbellaw Circuit and following that Fivemiletown Circuit. Her particular interests lie with children, care of the elderly and women’s ministry. Gareth has also been employed for the last nine years as a Lay Pastoral Assistant on ChurchHill and Springfield Circuit.
Eleanor and Gareth are constantly amazed at the privilege of being part of the Methodist Church family and the joy of serving God alongside really wonderful people from all walks of life. For them it is a truly humbling and fulfilling experience
Footnote: Gareth retired as Circuit Lay Pastor at the end of June 2021. His place on the Leadership Team was filled by Rev Leah McKibben, appointed on 1 July 2021 as Assistant Minister for Rev Eleanor