Ipplepen Methodist Church
East Street, Ipplepen TQ12 5SU Minister: Revd. Kevin Hooke; Tele: 01392 211952 Morning Service: 10.30 amwww.ipplepenmethodistchurch.org.uk
Membership: The Church’s membership is currently 63 with an age distribution approximately as follows: – 6 under 18, 2 under 30, 8 under 50, 16 under 60 and 31 over 60. A couple of years ago 4 young people were confirmed.
Worship: every Sunday at 10.30 am with occasional evening services. Worship is enhanced by the use of media projection and the Sunday morning service is recorded. CD’s are then available for those unable to attend, whilst audio files of sermons are uploaded to the Church website. We organise series of planned preaching 2-3 times a year, when we invite preachers to lead Sunday morning worship on particular themes.
Junior Church: There used to be a thriving Junior Church but in recent years this has fallen away, though there are some half dozen teenagers and university students amongst the families of committed church members who attend worship, along with a few younger children who attend regularly or occasionally. The church provides a Junior Church and crèche every Sunday.
Prayer group: This meets fortnightly in members’ homes.
Prayer days: In recent years, we have organised an occasional prayer labyrinth organised on a particular theme.
House Fellowship: Since Easter we have had a fortnightly house fellowship, which has followed the themes of the latest planned preaching series. The housegroup will start again after the summer.
Youth Club: Church members run an open Youth Club for those aged 11+. This meets fortnightly during term-time, with attendance up to the 30’s.
KEVICC, Totnes: Twice a term, year 10 students from King Edward VI Community College in Totnes come to the church for mock weddings. With our Youth Worker, Martin Parkes, now in place, we hope to build on this link with the college.
‘Old Library’ Project: Until about 2 years ago, the County Council rented part of our premises for the Village Library. Since this arrangement ceased, the church has begun to think about how the building might be used for the mission of the church and the benefit of the community. With our Youth Worker we are exploring the possibility of creating a Youth Cafe.
Luncheon Club: Church members participate in a monthly Luncheon Club for people living alone in the village, organised ecumenically and catering for around 30 people.
Ecumenical: The Church has a good working relationship with the Parish Church as well as with members of other denominations living in the village. There are, for example: a monthly ecumenical men’s breakfast, united community carol singing events, a Good Friday procession of witness, Lenten groups, joint worship services at various times during the year.
Fair Trade: There is a permanent Fair Trade stall at the back of the church.
Charity: The Church and its members support various charitable causes, including the Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal.
