There are around one million people in Britain who have an active connection with the Methodist Church. There are 70 million such people across the world.

What do Methodists believe?

In the eighteenth century, the first people to be called 'Methodists' were a group of friends in Oxford. They were serious about their faith and met regularly for Bible study, prayer and Holy Communion.

One of them was John Wesley, who started the movement that eventually became the Methodist Church. In his time, a lot of people went to church just out of habit. But Methodists believed that religion should come truly from the heart, and that it had to make a difference to how you lived your life. They met together to try to get some 'method of making sure that happened.

When Methodists are 'confirmed', and become full members of the church, they make promises similar to all Christian churches. These are the same as the baptism promises:

· To turn away from evil and all that denies God

· To turn to God, trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy Spirit as Helper and Guide

Will I really be welcome and 'fit in'?

You can be sure of a warm welcome in a Methodist church, whoever you are and however life has treated you. And don't worry if you have a lot of doubts and questions about God and Christianity. You'll find that all people who go to church have a mixture of joy and pain, struggles and achievements in our lives.

Christians find in church a place where we can be honest with God and with ourselves, and get support from others as we face the demands of everyday life. We are all on a journey of faith - none of us is perfect.

If there is something that you need to talk about or get help with, please ask to see the minister.

Isn't going to church just an escape from real life?

No - it takes courage to turn to God or decide to explore what life might really be about. Lots of people are searching for a spiritual meaning that seems missing today. You won't be alone. For some , life is frantically busy, juggling responsibilities that seem overwhelming and leave no space for quiet reflection. For others, there is loneliness and a lack or purpose.

As Methodists, we find in our church community a place where our own deepest questions about life can be explored. But there are also opportunities to get involved in practical care for others locally and in wider society. Every local Methodist church looks for ways to show Christian love in action.

Methodists across the world have joined with other churches to make a real difference to major social evils like human rights abuses, pollution of the earth ant Third World Debt. As followers of Jesus, Methodists care about poverty and suffering, and we don't think the church should keep out of politics.

Can I get married or have my baby baptised in a Methodist Church?

People often turn to the church to help them mark the most important moments of life. Your enquiry is welcome whether or not you already have links with the church. The Church believes that it is God's intention that marriage should be a life-long union in body, mind and spirit of one man and one woman. However, if you are divorced you may still be able to be married in a Methodist Church. To find out more, talk to the minister.

Your baby can normally be baptised in a Methodist Church after the minister has explained to you what baptism means. Baptisms usually take place during the Sunday service.

What happens during Methodist worship?

Methodist worship is quite varied, but you should always find:

· Enthusiastic singing of hymns and songs (old and new)
· Preaching which applies the gospel of Jesus to life today
· Heartfelt prayers relating to what is going on in the world
· Readings from the Bible in a modern easily understood translation

What else goes on - is there anything for the children?

Methodist churches often have a variety of activities for the local community such as coffee mornings, women's group, playgroups and clubs for children or young people. Check the church notice board or ask the person who greets you at the church door.

Often there are special activities for children and young people on Sundays. Whenever things are organised for children or young people, Methodist churches operate a safeguarding policy.

The Methodist Church Orb & Cross

This consists of a red orb charged with a white cross forming throughout white ground.

The Cross being in radiant form to symbolise the Glory of the risen Lord

The Orb to symbolise the world

Sign of the Fish

The Sign of the Fish symbol above is used by Christians all over the world, but have you ever wondered where it originated?

In Ancient times Christians were persecuted and very often put to death for their belief. So they developed a simple secret code to identify each other.

On meeting a stranger, a Christian would casually draw a curved line in the dirt. If the other person drew another curve to complete a fish shape, then they had identified each other and could talk openly about their faith. If, however, the stranger showed no response, then he was none the wiser.

Nowadays the fish is still used all over the world to communicate the Christian faith. Wearing the fish symbol is the perfect way to show this to others. Many people will ask what the symbol means, which is a good conversation starter.

The Sign of the Fish symbol is sometimes referred to as ICHTHUS, which is the Greek word for fish.