Poulton Methodist Church
(membership 236)
Queensway, Poulton le Fylde, FY6 7ST.
Telephone: 01253 884937
Minister in Pastoral Charge and Lead Minister
Paul Critchley 01253 883736
Diaconal support: Deacon Jo Critchley
Senior Steward: Mrs Barbara Banes
Website: http://poultonmethodistchurch.com
Our location:
Poulton-le-Fylde is a small, attractive and thriving market town steeped in history stretching back to early Roman times. Our church is close to the centre of town, opposite the Teanlowe Car Park.
Our congregation:
Our membership is skewed to older folk, but we have younger families. Sunday morning congregations are quite large, normally about 120+, with a Sunday workshop for our children and Lighthouse group for young people. Evening congregations are relatively small but larger for special services. Our uniformed organisation groups are very strong with approaching 150 children and young people. One of the aims of all-age worship being developed by our deacon is engage children and young people, and their parents, more fully in worship.
Our buildings:
The church was built in the 1960’s to a bold design, with additions since then. A renewal programme five years ago resulted in much of the building, particularly the Sanctuary and Chapel, being renewed for the 21st century whilst maintaining the spirit of what was already there. The sanctuary and chapel are attractive and flexible spaces with excellent audio/visual facilities. Part of the programme involved the development of a coffee shop which is successful as a bridge into our community. A second phase of development is underway to enhance our community involvement, and provide better for our young and older people.
Our activities:
In addition to Sunday services, there are opportunities for people to meet, study and pray in a variety of midweek groups, some are on church premises while others are in homes. A short midweek service takes place once a month Recreation groups include badminton, indoor bowling, keep fit, tap dancing and fell walking. All in all, it is an active church. In all we do, on Sundays and through the week, we want to ensure that everyone who comes through the doors are welcomed and cared for. Our links with other churches: Our church is an active member of Churches Together in Poulton and Carleton and we are involved in all its activities and witness in our town. Joint services with St Chad’s C of E Church signify a particular link between us and our neighbouring Anglican church. Community links and Outreach: We are concerned with those around us and our community profile is strong. We have a well-established pre-school, a toddler group and a luncheon club for older people. Our buildings are widely used by our local community as a place for various support and other groups to meet, and the church resounds to the massed voices of Poulton People’s Choir as it practices on Wednesday evening. On Saturdays we are home to a Child Contact Centre. The Saturday coffee mornings, and the coffee shop open weekday mornings, provide important meeting point for church members and visitors. We are involved in supporting Vincent House (for homeless in Blackpool) and in Blackpool Comfort Zone. Further afield we have great concern for world needs with regular support for and direct involvement in a number of charities and situations. Our Mission 2014 group co-ordinates mission involvement. Hopes and dreams: Quite simply we want to be part of God’s Kingdom and respond to His calling day by day. Specifically we are seeking to extend and develop our work with children, young people and their families, and to extend engagement with our community and care for our older memebers. Our Phase 2 development programme is a response to asking the question what we should do to help us fulfil God’s mission through our buildings. We are hoping that in the 50th anniversary year of our church on Queensway will have completed at least some parts of our development programme. To underpin all we do, we seek to deepen our spirituality, discipleship and worship, diversifying our worship without losing a sense of true devotion.
Regular Activities:
Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion (2nd Sunday)
10.30am Morning Worship
6.30am Evening Worship
Monday: 9.30am Coffee Plus - Fairtrade Coffee Shop - open until 1.00pm
10.30am Women's recreation Group
1.00pm Indoor Bowling
6.00pm Rainbows
6.15pm Brownies
8.00pm Badminton
Tuesday: 9.30am Coffee Plus - Fairtrade Shop - opening until 1.00pm
2.15pm Minister's Class (Fortnightly)
6.00pm Beaver Scouts
6.00pm Cub Scouts
6.00pm Beaver Scouts
7.45pm Focus (2nd Tuesday)
Wednesday: 9.30am Coffee Plus – Fairtrade Coffee Shop – open until 1.00pm
1.30am Cameo (1st and 3rd Wednesdays)
Thursday: 10.30am Coffee Morning
Friday: 10.00am Toddler Group (term time)
7.30pm Choir Fellowship
Saturday: 9.00am Prayer Breakfast (3rd Sunday)