Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Called to Love and Praise
Minister: Rev. Naomi Oates naomi.oates@methodist.org.uk
Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church
Called to Love and Praise
5/6/2025
On this page:
Unlocking their superpowers at Breakfast Church
How is the Holy Spirit like a radioactive spider?
Just one of the questions we were exploring at Sunday’s Breakfast Church! It was lovely to meet some new friends and to think about the gift of the Holy Spirit as we iced biscuits, explored the Bible, chatted over bacon butties, and made stained-glass windows.
Our next Breakfast Church is on Sunday 6 July at 9am at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church - why not give it a try?
Welcome
We are a friendly, welcoming Church, of all ages with a membership of around 64, and many more in our wider Church family.
Our Church family comes mainly from the villages of Larkfield, East and West Malling, Kings Hill, Addington, Leybourne, Ditton and Aylesford, all of which are just west of the County town of Maidstone in Kent.
We enjoy worship in a variety of styles from traditional to modern, and our congregations usually include a wide variety of ages, from toddlers to octogenarians.
See our Services page for full details of in-person and on-line services and opportunities for worship.
There are a large number of regular groups and activities (see activities and Children and Family pages).
Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade and Messy Church are term-time only.
Are you interested in becoming a member of the Methodist Church?
We have a small number of people currently exploring becoming members of their local Methodist church. I'll soon be running some sessions for anyone exploring membership (thinking together about what it means to be a Christian, a Methodist, and a member of the Methodist Church), after which attendees will be invited to be received into membership, if they wish. These sessions usually take place over lunch, or tea and cake, and are a great chance to explore faith in a small group. If you'd like to be involved (or know someone who might), please let me know. You can find some FAQs about Methodist membership here.
Some news and updates for the coming weeks...
Opportunities to worship today
You are warmly invited to join us for the dial-in service at 10am today, for half an hour or so of friendly chat, prayer, and reflection. These services (which take place on the first Thursday of the month at 10am) are accessible by phone or Zoom, and all are welcome. The details for accessing the service can be found at the bottom of this email.
You are also welcome to join us at 2pm at St Mary's Old Church in Burham for Prayer & Praise, consisting of around 45 minutes of acoustic worship music, reflections, and prayer in this beautiful historic church.
Let's get together for Pentecost!
I'm delighted that, this weekend, there are so many opportunities to share in worship and fellowship with our sisters and brothers from other churches as we mark Pentecost. On Saturday 7 June, you are invited to join friends from Churches Together in Swanley and District for a BYO picnic from 12.30pm onwards at The Old Vicarage Garden, The Old Vicarage, School Lane, Swanley Village BR8 7PJ, which will include a short time of prayer. On Sunday 8 June, Churches Together in Malling are holding a Pentecost picnic and praise in Manor Park Country Park from 3pm - bring your own picnic, and enjoy a game of rounders and a short praise service. Finally, from 5pm - 6.30pm on Sunday, there will be a united service organised by the churches in Maidstone at St Luke's (ME14 5BE). I look forward to seeing you at some or all of the above!
Update from Rev Rosemary
Rosemary has been very grateful for your prayers following her mother's major stroke. Rosemary asked me to pass on her thanks, and to let you know that her Mum is now back at the care home.
Urgent Appeal
For over 30 years, the Girls' Brigade has been a pivotal part of our mission as a church. Each week, dozens of girls meet at the church on a Monday evening to make friends, build confidence, learn new life skills, have fun, and find out more about God's love for them.
But sadly, the future of GB at our church is far from certain. We still have plenty of girls attending (and, in fact, we currently have a waiting list). However, we have recently said goodbye - or are about to say goodbye - to a number of our fantastic volunteers, who are moving away or retiring after many years of faithful service. The worrying truth is that GB may not be able to continue - perhaps as soon as September - if we cannot find some more Leaders and Helpers. It would be a great loss to have to close, not just for the girls and the current staff team, but for the church as a whole.
I've attached an advert (see below) for new volunteers which we have circulated through various local networks. But we need your help! Could you:
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Become a Helper or a Leader yourself? GB meets on Monday evenings at the church, and there are different sections for girls aged 4-18. If you would be interested in finding out more, please contact Val (larkfieldgb@gmail.com).
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Spend some time thinking about anyone you know who might be willing and able to join the team, and then send them the advert with an encouraging message?
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Pray for Helpers and Leaders to come forward, and for the future of our fantastic GB Company.
New Helpers and Leaders will need to provide a couple of references and complete a (free) DBS check.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and support. Together, we have an opportunity to support our incredible GB volunteers and families, and to help 1st Larkfield GB not just to continue, but to flourish.
Annual leave
I'll be on leave from Monday 9 June to Saturday 21 June inclusive, so if you need something from me before I go, please do drop me an email or give me a call over the weekend.
While I'm away, don't forget Cafe Church in Burham on Sunday 15 June at 3pm and the Country Lunch on Thursday 19 June at 12.45pm, both at the Old School Community Centre.
Every blessing,
Naomi
Some reminders...
Working Out Worship: For anyone involved in leading worship
The Methodist Church is running online training sessions for anyone involved in leading worship in a local Methodist Church, whether you're a Steward, a Worship Leader, a Junior Church leader, a Local Preacher, or involved in other ways in leading services. There are sessions at 7pm on 2, 9, 16 and 23 June (each session is standalone, so you don't have to attend them all). The first two will focus on Local Arrangements. If you would like to find out more or sign up, you can do so here.
Something exciting is on the way...
At our General Church Meeting, we spent some time talking about how we might get to know each other better as a church family (given that our church family includes our 10am service, Breakfast Church and Cafe Church congregations, plus our many weekday groups) and how we might offer everyone involved in the life of the church the opportunity to 'go deeper' on their faith journey. Plans are beginning to emerge for something new in the autumn... an Alpha course with parallel streams for adults and youth, culminating in a church weekend away for the whole church family.
At the moment, we're just 'testing the waters' before we confirm any details - but we would love to hear from you if you could be part of the team. We'll need lots of volunteers to be 'Alpha hosts', to pray, to make and serve food, to run the creche so the children's parents can take part in the course, and to help with planning and publicity. If you would like to be involved in any way, or if you would like to register your interest in attending the Alpha course, please contact me, Monica, Valerie, Claire or Stefan. Thank you - and watch this space for further details!
Painting party
Our lovely hall needs a bit of TLC! We are putting together a team of volunteers to repaint the hall on Saturdays 2 and 9 August. We already have a handful of volunteers, but we'd love some more. If you could take part, please contact myself, Mike or Alan Wood - we'd love to hear from you.
Sad news
I know that many of you will have fond memories of Dennis Freere, who worshipped with us for a while before moving to sheltered housing in Gravesend in 2022. Dennis' son has been in touch to let us know that Dennis died earlier this week, but that he always spoke fondly of his time at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church. The funeral will be on Thursday 12 June at 2pm at Thames View Crematorium; sadly, I will be on leave, so Rev Gill Le Boutillier-Scott has kindly agreed to lead the service. The family would love to hear our memories of Dennis; if you have something to share, please let me know, and please hold all of Dennis' loved ones in your prayers. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.
Thriving Families - Monday 16 June
The Methodist Church is running a free online event on Monday 16 June from 10am - 2.15pm for those engaged in ministry with children under five years old. The blurb says: 'How do we shape what we do in churches so that our youngest children thrive and their faith flourishes? This day is a fantastic opportunity to focus on key aspects of their life and faith (and those of their related adults).' You can find out more and book online here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thriving-families-tickets-1348093105769?aff=oddtdtcreator
Next Church Council meeting - Save the date
Our next Church Council meeting will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025 at 7.30pm. All are welcome, so please pop the date in your diary.
Could you be a BB Leader - or do you know someone who could?
Our fabulous Boys' Brigade team are still looking to recruit new Leaders and Helpers. I've reattached the advert - please have a think and a pray about whether you know someone who might be suited to the role (or whether you might be!). Please do pass the advert to anyone who might be interested.
News from the hot seat...
5/6/25
Dear friends,
We are currently in the middle of a season called Thy Kingdom Come, a global wave of prayer that takes place between Ascension Day (29 May this year) and Pentecost (this coming Sunday). Thy Kingdom Come is 10 years old this year, and we are encouraged, over these 11 days, to pray for five people in our life to come to know Jesus. This year, the resources are based on the Lord's Prayer, and the line for today is '... as we forgive those who sin against us.' It reminds me of a children's book on our shelves (which is written in Spanish and English, with some rather alarming illustrations) called Don't hug a grudge. It's about how poisonous it can be when we hold on to (and even nurture) our anger and resentment towards another person. The Lord's Prayer encourages us to forgive others - and I firmly believe that this is not just for the other person's benefit, but because God does not want us to be weighed down by our own bitterness. Don't hug a grudge reminds us to 'watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble' (Hebrews 12:15). As an antidote, it suggests this: 'For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: Love others as you love yourself' (Galatians 5:14).
Find out more about Thy Kingdom Come here: Thy Kingdom Come | Thy Kingdom Come
Read the daily reflections here: TKC Novena 2025 DIGITAL.pdf
Booking Church Facilities
The Church Hall and the Sycamore Tree rooms are available for booking at competitive rates. More details on our bookings page.
Welcome Hub celebrates 2 years
Welcome Hub
Happy birthday to the Welcome Hub!
It’s two years since we first opened our Warm Space, in partnership with other churches in Larkfield, seeking to serve those struggling to heat their homes during the cost-of-living crisis. We soon realised that most of those who came through our doors were seeking a ‘warm welcome’ more than a ‘warm space’ and so, over time, we became the Welcome Hub - a space where anyone can find a warm welcome, hot and cold drinks and snacks, delicious homemade cakes, and a friendly chat (all for free). We’ve had some amazing special events over the past two years, from Christmas dinners to wreath-making workshops, and we’ve received some incredible support from local shops, individuals, and schools. We couldn’t do it without our fantastic team of volunteers from the churches and the wider community. Thank you!
Pop along today for a piece of birthday cake and a cuppa. The Welcome Hub is open in the Sycamore Tree Centre at Larkfield & East Malling Methodist Church on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am - 4pm.
If you’d like to support the Hub, you can donate here, with the reference ‘Welcome Hub’: https://www.larkfieldmethodist.org/about-4
To see pictures from our activities check out our gallery page
more pictures on our Gallery page
Messy Pumpkins
31/10/24
Wowee! Somehow, we squeezed 75 of us (including 41 very excited children!) into the hall for Messy Church, when we thought about ourselves as pumpkins (no, really) with God’s love shining in our hearts. We made pumpkin biscuits and lanterns, decorated autumn plates, hunted for glowsticks, made lots of noise with our musical instruments, went doughnut-bobbing, and enjoyed our snacks.
If you like worship that involves lots of food, activities for all ages, and a small amount of chaos, we’d love to see you again for Breakfast Church on the first Sunday of the month at 9am in the hall.
Plus, do pop the date for our ‘Messy Christingle’ in your diaries - Monday 23 December at 2.30pm, for children and their families.
Thanks to our brilliant team
Celebrating 60th Anniversary
Many thanks to Rob, our own Piano Guy
Some of us are planning to take part in sponsored '60 for 60' events to raise some money. Could you get involved? Ideas that have emerged already include knitting 60 squares for a blanket, walking 60 times around a lake (not all in one go), cycling 60 miles around churches in the circuit, and growing (and selling) 60 plants. Be as imaginative as you like!
I've attached the sponsor form - there are printed copies at church. Folks can pay by cash, cheque, electronic transfer, or using their smartphone and the QR code on the form. Please encourage UK taxpayers to complete all the columns, so we can claim Gift Aid on their donation. Rob and Monica are able to receive cash and cheques to be paid in, and Tricia will need the completed forms so we can claim Gift Aid.
Do let us know what you're planning - or sponsor someone else, if you can. Thank you
Church funds - We need your help!
It's not always easy to talk about money, but at a recent Church Council, we spent a long time doing just that. Unfortunately, due mainly to rising costs, our church is currently running at an annual deficit of up to £10k - which means we're in danger of running out of funds in just a couple of years. Larkfield is a brilliant church, with a huge amount of energy, creativity and a real desire to reach out and share God’s love. It would be such a shame if that work came under threat, due to a lack of funds. As Brian said: 'I don't want to be shopping at Morrisons in a couple of years and hear someone say - didn't there used to be a church over there?'
There's not much we can realistically do to reduce our expenditure, so the Church Council has agreed various ways to try and increase our income. We appointed three small groups, to look at finding new lettings, applying for grants, and organising church fundraising events.
There are things that all of us can do - whether or not we're in a position to give financially. Here are some ideas:
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If you donate to the church, and are eligible for Gift Aid, please ensure you're signed up - it's easy, and means we get an extra 25% at no extra cost to you. Please speak to Tricia for more details.
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If you’re in touch with any groups, organisations and classes locally, ask whether they might be interested in hiring our hall or the Sycamore Tree. Chat to Mike, our lettings officer, about availability.
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Support our fundraising efforts.
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If you generously buy resources that we use at church, and don't claim the cost - you could claim, and then donate the same amount to the church, so we can claim the Gift Aid (assuming you're eligible).
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Let me know if you'd like to join one of the groups looking at lettings, grants, and church fundraising events. We're looking especially for someone else to join Mike and Val on the 'lettings' group - making contact with local organisations and advertising our premises.
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Pray! For God to provide the resources we need to do his work in our community.
No Cash?
No Problem!
Donate to the church the cashless way
You can now donate to the church with your smart phone!
Scan the QR code on the Donate page of the website or any of the QR codes displayed in the church.
For more information or questions contact Martin White
You can also now make contactless donations direct to Martin White's phone using card or smartphone!
Spreading the Word - Our Website
In the last month there were 142 visits to the site, 60 from directly entering the site, 61 via Google, 14 from theplaymap.co.uk and 4 from Bing!
In 2023 there were 1648 visits to the site, up 27%. Visits from NKM were up 75%
In 2022 we had more than twice as many visits as 2021 - 721 people visited the website 1299 times for an average of 4minutes 59 seconds.
In 2024, visitors were from all parts of the UK, with multiple visits from US (44), France (7), India (6).
Popular pages visited were:
Home
Services (41% up on previous month)
The most busy time is 4pm on a Monday but you are always welcome.
We are a busy church with many activities. If you spot any omissions or errors please the webmaster will be delighted to hear from you - email quantum.martin@btinternet.com
Welcome everyone.