Thackley Methodist Church and Community Centre

It was a real joy to welcome Tianna Marie Louise, her family and friends to our service this morning. She and her big sister looked absolutely wonderful if their beautiful dresses. Rev Sarah Jemison led the service of baptism where she spoke about the symbolic meaning of water and light. We use water to wash in, and in the same way water is used in baptism to represent the repeated washing away of the things we do wrong through God's loving forgiveness. We also reflected on Jesus's baptism where he was completely immersed in the river symbolic of his death and resurrection. Tianna's family was also given a candle, representing God's light in our darkness. Sarah reminded us that baptism does not mean that all the bad things in life are taken away from us; it does mean that in the dark moments of life, God will always be there, offering the light of hope. One of the hymns we sang, Colours of day, picks up the theme of light and darkness. We pray for God'...

It is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness", who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 4:6) This morning was a very special service with the baptism of Zara-Leigh and Evie-Rose. A baptism is a special service that symbolises that the one being baptised is welcomed and belongs to the family of the church as a follower of Jesus. Often it is an infant being baptised; however, baptism is open to all ages. During the service parents make promises to live within the Christian faith and to support their child to grow within that faith. Members of the church also make promises to support the family.  A candle is also lit and given to the family to symbolise the light of Christ in their lives, and this was the theme of this morning's service, led by Rev Phil Drake. Our bible reading  Luke 9:28-36  focused on "The Transfiguration" and Phil read this reflection on prayer: ...

10.30 am Sunday 5 June 2011 Rev Keith Hunt will lead our Junior Church Anniversary service. Also, we welcome Dino, Louise, Scarlett and Joel and their family and friends for Joel's Baptism. (Details about baptism in the Methodist church