Blog

The Waiting Room

29/11/2017

Waiting for something to be different?

The Waiting Room is a place to rest, think, dream, be still. It is a place to hope.

It is a quiet space open every Monday to Friday in December from 9am to 5pm.

It is an exhibition exploring waiting and hoping open Sunday afternoons and evenings of 7, 13 and 21 December.

It is outside a church close to Bond Street tube, Oxford Street and Marylebone shops.

The Waiting Room is a place for everyone, no matter what you are waiting for.

https://www.facebook.com/TheWaitingRoomExhibition/

Remembrance Sunday Recital

6/11/2017

On Sunday, 12th November, we will host the first of a new set of recitals leading up to Christmas. In this first instalment, Anna Litvinenko (cello) and Katie MacDonald (flute) will join our musical director Magdalena Jones (on piano) for a recital of chamber music from the baroque up to the 20th century. To mark Remembrance Sunday the trio will be performing the remarkable Poulenc song 'C' - a reflection on war and its consequences through history.

Please come and join us on the 12th from 12.30-13.15pm. Entrance is free, and there will be a retiring collection with all proceeds going to the West London Mission.

Other upcoming recitals:
December 3rd (2.30-5.00pm n.b.!): Come and enjoy all six solo cello Suites by J.S. Bach, performed by students from the Royal College of Music
December 10th (12.30-13.15pm): Advent music from the Forest Choir

Running the Half Marathon For West London Day CentrE

2/10/2017

Taken this week on Miriam's last long training run before race day - 11.5 miles. "There is something invigorating about running in the rain. I felt so alive! The rain made the city lights even more vibrant around London Bridge. I stopped for a minute and just took the sights in and felt so thankful to God for this amazing city! "

Eleanor and Miriam have taken up the challenge of running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 8th October. Eleanor has been a member of Hinde Street Methodist Church for 15 years and Miriam is the Community Worker at the church. Running the 13.1 miles is an exciting and worthwhile challenge for them. They are raising money for West London Mission's Day Centre on Seymour Place. The centre provides cooked breakfasts, showers, a team of medical staff, advice and support from trained social workers and much more for people who are experiencing homelessness. We asked Eleanor and Miriam a few questions:

How is training going?

E: It's mostly going well... I try to run home a couple of times a week so it doesn't feel so much like a chore. But actually I admit it's been good to get to know London a bit better on foot, commuting at a slower pace, and I've enjoyed seeing the seasons change as I train week by week.

M: Overall it has been enjoyable - it’s hard at times to fit the longer runs into my weekly routine because of work and family life, but when I manage to it is good to have some time just for me. There are times when I don’t look forward to going out - especially if the The Great British Bake Off is on TV! But once I have completed a run I never regret it.

What inspired you to sign up for the half marathon?

E: I've run the Royal Parks Half Marathon before, in 2015, but for Water Aid. I spotted some West London Mission (WLM) T-shirts at other races too, and decided next time I wanted to run for WLM. This is the first fundraising event I've taken part in for WLM and I'm excited to get involved. When I signed up for the race, I took up the Day Centre's invitation to go and see for myself the great work they are doing. It's really inspiring, and seeing the amazing support they provide to people facing homelessness has motivated me to keep going with the training. Hopefully, my fundraising will also help raise awareness of WLM's work among people who wouldn't otherwise have come into contact with it.

M: It was actually my sister who inspired me - she signed up first and she thought I should give it a go. I have completed a few 10K and 15K races before but this felt like a bigger challenge as I haven't run much after having my son Ezra. I know what great work WLM Day Centre do for people facing homelessness. I feel sad when I walk past people on the street - I want to help but giving them money may not be the best option. This way I am able to raise money for a project which helps people in really practical ways. I am really proud to be running for WLM. People have already been so generous in giving donations - this has kept me motivated and inspired during the training.

What are you looking forward to on race day?

E: It's such a great atmosphere, a real event, with supportive crowds to cheer us all round. It's good for a spot of sightseeing too - and a nice flat course, compared with the hills of South London where I live! Most of all, getting to the finish line in one piece will be a relief - and hopefully the family will be there to help celebrate too.

M: The finish line!!! No, while the finish line will feel amazing (if I get there) it has actually been the training which has been the hardest part. So come race day I am just looking forward to enjoying running the route and taking in the London sights. My sister lives in Edinburgh so we don’t get to see each other much. I am really looking forward to sharing the experience with her and hopefully we can encourage each other along the way. My husband, son and brother-in-law will be cheering us on from the side lines so it will be fun to see them there! I will also look forward to eating some celebratory chocolate that evening!

If you would like to sponsor Eleanor or Miriam you can click here on their sponsorship pages:
Miriam's https://www.justgiving.com/Miriam-kennedy3
Eleanor's https://www.justgiving.com/Eleanor-Beamond-Pepler

Bike ride to raise funds for mental health

17/7/2017

Ashley Brooks and Julie Sapsford (who live in the Hinde Street community flats) are attempting to cycle from The Maudsley Hospital (Denmark Hill) to Margate, about 100 miles! They are undertaking this challenge in aid of The Maudsley Charity, who promote positive change in the world of mental health through donations.

Can you say no to these faces?

Churches Together in Westminster Pentecost Service

24/5/2017

The CTiW 2017 Pentecost Service of “Creative Evening Worship” will be held on 4 June at Hinde Street Methodist Church. Refreshments at back of church from 5.30pm, and service starts at 6.30pm. Service will be led by Revd Val Reid and Revd Sue Keegan von Allmen. You are invited to join us. Everyone welcome!

Leipzig visits London

10/5/2017

The Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross) is the main Methodist church in Leipzig. Hinde Street Methodist Church is a church in the West London Mission Circuit. We began a twinning relationship with each other in 1986, when a group from Hinde Street, led by Rev. Stuart Jordan, visited Leipzig and stayed with members of the Kreuzkirche. Leipzig was still in the DDR and being a Christian was difficult. For instance access to further and higher education was limited.

Visit from members of the Kreuzkirche Leipzig from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May

26/4/2017

The Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross) is the main Methodist Church in Leipzig. This exchange visit is one of a series of visits between the two churches, initiated by our visit to Leipzig, led by Stuart Jordan in 1986 when Leipzig was still in the DDR and was therefore both innovative and pioneering. We went again in 1990 after the wall had come down in 1989. In 1991 we had the pleasure of entertaining a group from the Kreutzkirche. Since that time there have been a number of exchanges culminating in their visit to us in 2011 and our visit to them in 2013.

Leipzig Weekend Details - And how to join in

16/4/2017

We're excited that - very soon now - we will welcome our 'twin' church in Leipzig for another visit to London, continuing a friendship which goes back to a previous time of division in Europe. Now, as then, it's wonderful to share so much we have in common.

We hope everyone at Hinde Street will be involved in some way. Enough people have already kindly offered to host our 30 guests, but we'd greatly appreciate offers of help with other things. And of course the aim is for as many people as possible to meet, explore our wonderful city, worship and celebrate together.

Lunch with the Parents Circle: Central London

28/3/2017

UPDATE: Jonathan Freedland, writer for The Guardian, has confirmed as chair for this event.

In March 2002, Robi Damelin’s son, David, was shot by a Palestinian sniper, he was 28 years old. In January 2007, Bassam Aramin's 10-year-old daughter, Abir, was shot by an Israeli soldier. As a result of their experiences, Robi and Bassam joined The Parents Circle – Families Forum, which is renowned for its work to promote peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

Now, on a rare visit to London, Robi and Bassam will address church and synagogue audiences. Join us at Hinde Street Methodist Church to hear Robi and Bassam speak to an interfaith audience.

Food will be served, so please join us in your lunchbreak. Event organised in association with the West London Synagogue.

Date: Wednesday, 10 May
Time: 12:15pm: Kosher sandwich buffet, 12:30pm: Event begins
Venue: Hinde Street Methodist Church
Nearest tube: Bond Street (Central and Jubilee Lines)
Tickets: FREE but must be booked in advance

Calling all artists - get involved for Holy Week

6/3/2017

For the past two years, we’ve had an art exhibition during Holy Week and Easter, and we’d like to do it again!

This year we will use the Stations of the Cross as the focus. The stations of the cross are a traditional exercise, which follow the events of Jesus' last day on earth, usually as a form of pilgrimage, with prayers and meditations at each.

Our version will have fifteen stations. You are invited to illustrate one or more of the stations in any form - sculpture, paintings, photographs, collage, etc.