Hexham Trinity Methodist Church
New to Trinity - Frequently Asked Questions
First of all - Relax. You're amongst friends. Even if you've never been to church before, then don't worry that we're going to make you stand up in front of everybody, or sign you up to run the youth group for life. We have lots of visitors on a Sunday morning so we're expecting you. This is Hexham Trinity, and we're the sort of church you'd wished you'd come across before. Find out more about us below:
Q: Who are you?
A: We are a Christian church based in Hexham where people can grow in their discipleship.
Q: Who comes?
A: We have people of all ages, with a lot of young families. Places of birth include America, Germany, Russia, Nigeria, Bangladesh and of course Hexham. There are usually around a hundred and fifty in attendance on Sunday morning. Trinity is a supportive community where you can make good friends, and where Sunday morning is only a small part of what goes on.
Q: What do you offer?
A: We have exciting worship on a Sunday at 10:30am, lots of groups to join, excellent children's and youth activities regular Courses exploring Christianity and we offer you the chance to grow in your faith.
Q: What do you have to believe to come to Trinity?
A: Some people believe that they alone have the truth, but we're more humble than that. Others believe that there is no such thing as truth, but we're not as wishy-washy as that. Instead, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and salvation comes through nobody but Him. The more we learn about Jesus through His word, the closer we'll get to the truth. Accordingly we teach what the Bible says about Him. Anybody who desires to learn more about Jesus, we welcome. You don't have to believe in anything to attend Trinity, you can be a Christian, Moslem, Pagan, Agnostic, Atheist, whatever - give us a try.
Q: Do you have to come every week?
A: No. We have visitors all the time, so we expect to see people who are on holiday, new people who have moved into the area, and those who have heard about us one way or another, and just want to find out a bit more. If you can only come every so often as a visitor, then we'll still welcome you. We have groups throughout the week, so if you miss us on Sunday, there are plenty of other things to come to.
Q: How do I get to be a member?
A: Anybody can attend Trinity, but members publicly commit themselves to Christ in prayer, service and financially. It's an important step and there are high expectations. We don't rush people into membership, because we are more interested in Making Disciples than making members. We have new members' services three times a year and regular induction courses. If you are a Christian moving into the area, we consider it good practice not to give you a job straight away, and to let you find your feet with us a while.
Q: What does it mean to be a Disciple?
A: Disciples of Christ are fully committed to worshipping God, learning more about Him, serving their community, living Holy Spirit filled lives and sharing their faith with others. That's what we're aiming for at Trinity.
Q: Can I get involved before becoming a member?
A: Yes you can. There are lots of places to serve, such as our meals for the homeless (StopGap). For anything involving contact with children or vulnerable adults you will have to do a CRB check through our system. One of the ways we grow in our faith is through service to others.
Q: What happens on a Sunday morning?
A: Our Sunday worship is very accessible, yet we don't dodge the tough issues. Jardin's Principle suggests that anything (including worship) can be simplistic, complicated or simple but profound. We aim for "Simple but Profound" - straightforward presentation of what is in the Bible, but with academic rigour hidden behind it. Our minister wants you to come out thinking "How great God is", not "How clever the minister is".
Q: What could I expect if I turned up?
A: Expect the unexpected(!) Worship is always varied at Trinity, but it's fair to say that it is not the same as what you might have experienced in the last Century. Every week there are always activities for the children, lively music and something thought provoking. The talks cover a variety of subjects from in-depth biblical analysis to dealing with issues such as divorce or bereavement. We tend to do short series, so coming up in spring 2008 we are going through the Gospel of Matthew for Lent. Then after Easter we will be looking at "What does the Bible say about: Poverty, Peace, Global Warming and Christian Britain" (these are four separate Sundays, not one sermon(!)). We hope that each talk brings us back to Jesus, one way or another (Rather like this Q&A does with this link). You can find out what's on each Sunday and anything special during the week.
Q: How long does it last?
A: Usually about an hour, but some weeks when we have communion, an hour and a half because there are so many people. You can always sneak out quietly if you have to. We have Fair Trade tea and coffee after the service.
Q: Will I come out feeling worse than when I came in?
A: You might. Trinity sermons can be pretty close to the knuckle, and we're not here to tell people what they want to hear. However, you can always feedback your comments if you disagree. Our minister finds that people don't usually object so much to what he says, as to what Jesus says......
Q: How much does it cost?
A: When you come for the first time you are our guest, and we don't want you to pay anything. There is a blue form to put in the collection bag which exempts you. After you have been coming a while, then you may wish to give. Most of our folk pay by standing order anyway. Many people give a tithe (tenth of their income) to the church, and Trinity reciprocates by giving a tenth of its income away to good causes. Last year this amounted to £6,140.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Our minister wears a suit and tie, because he is making a presentation of the Gospel as professionally as he can. Most people wear "Smart Casual", although some come in "Sunday Best". We also have folk who come in I woke up this morning and my baby done gone, so come as you are.
Q: Will I be judged?
A: Almost certainly. We all judge other people, all the time. However, we try not to be judgemental.
Q: Where do I have to sit?
A: There are no reserved seats at Trinity, so you can sit where you like. By 10:25am downstairs is pretty much full, so if you want a wide choice of seating, come early (actually at 10:20am the place is half empty so you don't have to come that early - just early enough). We strive to make all our activities fully accessible to every member of the community, and we have a loop system, large print material and full level access to the worship area.
Q: Do I have to participate?
A: There's quite a lot of standing up and sitting down as with most churches, but if you just want to observe quietly from the back of the balcony, then you can do that too.
Q: Will I be made to sing?
A: No. We put the words up on the big screen and you can sing if you want to. Because we have a band, the music is pretty engaging so we think you'll join in. Rest assured you don't have to, but see the question about "Methodists" below.
Q: Will I be expected to know the Bible?
A: No. We usually put the words up on the big screen and go through them so that you don't have to go searching.
Q: Will I get brainwashed?
A: In a Methodist Church? In Hexham? In 2008? You'll be able to spot anything dodgy a mile off. You'll know most of the people here anyway - Hexham's like that. Our congregation is full of people who are not afraid to air their opinions and there is a wide range of approaches to Christianity. If you don't like what the minister says - tell him! You may even be right.......
Q: What about children?
A: There are always activities for the children at Trinity. Sunday mornings we have the Sunday Club, the youth group on Sunday nights, and Holiday Club monthly once a month on Saturday mornings.
Q: What about evening services?
A: The Evening Services are at 6pm and are much more Twentieth Century in format. We alternate with West End Methodist Church and you can find where we are each week on our list of services.
Q: Why Methodist?
A: The Methodist Church was founded by people like John Wesley, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. Trinity is authentically Methodist in that it uses the latest technology to organise its members into being highly evangelistic, just like the early Methodists did all those years ago. However, you don't have to be a Methodist to come. Less than half the congregation has a Methodist background, and we have people brought up as Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Atheists and all sorts (Our minister laments that this is why the singing is not what it could be - so if you can sing out like a Methodist, he'd be doubly pleased to see you).
Q: Are there any other churches in Hexham?
A: Yes. We work closely with Hexham Abbey, Hexham Community Church, Hexham Salvation Army, St Aidan's URC, St John Lee Anglican, St Mary's RC and West End Methodist Church, in an organisation called "Churches Together in Hexham". This organises Carols in the Park at Christmas, the Open Air Carnival Service, and the annual Holiday Club.
Q: How do I get to Trinity?
A: We're in the centre of Hexham, right between the Queen's Hall and the Beaumont Hotel. Here is a map. On street parking is free on Sundays, but get here early to get a space.
Q: Are you one of these new fangled Fresh Expressions?
A: No. We're traditional church in form, but updated in our music and presentation, and (we like to think) done very well. If you were creating an effective church for the Twenty First Century, it would look a lot like Trinity.
Q: What's stopping me from coming this Sunday?
A: We'd say: Nothing! How about it?
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