Welcome to our website for Walton Methodist Church. After a long period of ‘Watch This Space’, I have at last got around to ‘filling it’ after another ‘gentle’ reminder by Ron Lord, who is to be commended for putting our website together, for which we at Walton are most grateful.

My calling to God’s ministry has come later in life and follows 32 years as a Civil Engineer and Strategic Planner. The first 12 years was spent with Local Government, in Coventry and Southampton, and the last 20 years with the Hong Kong Government at a very exciting time, which included the development of a new airport and container ports, preceding the ‘handover’ to China in 1997.

After years of involvement at both ends of the social scale with ‘Jackie Pullinger Ministries’, targeting drug addicts and the marginalised, and with the evangelistic outreach group ‘Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International’, together with ongoing service as an accredited Local Preacher with the Methodist Church in Hong Kong, I was tempted to continue with these and still keep my job. However, God made it quiet clear that he wanted me to return and serve him in full-time ministry in the UK, bringing with me the richness of the cultural, pastoral and worship experience I had gained from these and in being part of the Methodist tradition and its community of faith abroad.

Training took place, first, at Wesley House in Cambridge, then at Queens College in Birmingham, combined with two years as a Layworker within a Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Methodist and Anglican Churches in Coventry. I was then accepted by the Methodist Conference for full-time Itinerant Ministry and came to Walton Methodist Church, in the Wakefield Circuit, in September 2001, as a ‘Probationer’. This is the term given by the Methodist Church to a newly-trained minister (of any age) during the first two years of stationing in Circuit. In my case, it involves further studies at the ‘Urban Theology Unit’ in Sheffield and continuing in-service assessment by the Methodist Church over this period.

The last few months have been an eventful (if not hectic) start to my ministry here in Wakefield. Due to the unforeseen staff depletion following my arrival, my initial charge for the two churches at Walton and Lindale was increased to include two more churches at Crigglestone and Newmillardam. I must be the only Probationer to double his congregation during the first two months of stationing!

And therein lies the problem, because it now means that on top of ongoing studies I have to spread my ministerial input too thinly over four separate congregations. As a result, I can only lead worship services at Walton, and at my other churches, once a month. This is obviously frustrating all-round, and with the general shortage of ministers to cover all our churches, is something that is causing concern for Methodism as a whole.

Nevertheless, I have been both humbled and encouraged by the extent and quality of commitment shown by members of these four churches and throughout the Circuit. They have all shown a genuine concern and willingness to pull together in the situation. Susan and I have been so touched and most appreciative of the support and understanding we have received and we are both looking forward to the shared times ahead.

Unfortunately, I am still ‘rattling around’ in the Manse for most of the time. Difficulty in selling the house in the Midlands, together with other domestic factors (including the recent death of my father) have prevented Susan from moving up permanently to join me in the Manse. However, if, as we believe, that God has placed us in Wakefield for ministry, then HIS timing will be right!

Of course, as Christians, we do not always live out our faith in fullness of joy, purpose and comfort. We are not exempt from the difficult, sad and even doubting times in our lives. We know that many of God’s faithful over the years have faced danger and even death rather than be disloyal to him. Did God ‘molly-coddle’ them? Did he protect them from the ‘rude winds’ of life? The writer of Hebrews 11:37 gives the answer: ‘They were tempted, afflicted, tormented, stoned and even sawn in two.’ So much for joy and comfort! Also, when Jesus prayed for his followers before his execution, he did not plead that the Father would always shelter and protect them. Instead, he prayed that God should not take them out of the world but that he should keep them from the evil one (John 17:15). Our Lord Jesus was concerned, not for our comfort, but for our character and soul.

So, we should not think that God is unconcerned about what happens TO us as we journey through life. He cares more about what happens IN us, so that he can accomplish his purpose THROUGH us. God does not keep us from life’s storms, he walks with us through them!

As you will learn from perusing our website, the presence of a Methodist Church in Walton has been an integral part of the history, life and growth of the village. We maintain good relations and share in events with St. Paul’s Anglican Church, local schools and other organizations. For Christians and non-Christians who are looking for fellowship, and perhaps a place to worship and to meet God, we would dearly love to see you at Walton. We already have several weddings and baptisms booked for the coming months, and are planning further refurbishment and re-development of the premises to respond to community needs, particularly for the young and old. Pop in to our coffee mornings and fellowship meetings when you can. I am sure that you will be made very welcome. And who knows, you may even catch a glimpse of me, if you are lucky!

May God bless you.

With best wishes,

Rev Iain Rennie