Trinity Methodist Church and Community Hub

Joy to the World

Helen Durrant — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:13:05 +0000

Joy was certainly brought to a packed church on Sunday when Trinity’s annual musical celebration took place.

The event, which saw events of 2025 recalled through music, drama and poetry, also featured the obligatory festive carols.

Performed by members of Ribble Valley Choir and Orchestra, and organised alongside Clitheroe Christians in Partnership, the afternoon raised over £1,000 for Christian Aid.

Little Voices, a children’s performing arts group based at Trinity, wowed the audience with their rendition of Shakin Stevens’ ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, with the addition of sign language.

Communal singing raised the roof, and Rev Ian topped it all off with an ‘I am not a Robot’ explanation of the importance of being human, which was good enough to grace any comedy club.

Feeling a little festive at Coffee Stop

Helen Durrant — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:50:52 +0000

November’s Coffee Stop was a real treat, with visitors feeling a little festive and enjoying the live entertainment from Arthur Geldard.

On a wet and windy day, the hall was packed with people enjoying a warm drink and a bacon buttie, before wandering around the Hub gallery to see the latest exhibition. This month, we are showing work by Ribble Valley Photographic Society.

We had the usual cake and jigsaw stalls, but with the festive addition of a Christmas decorations stall. There were also not one, but two stalls selling cards.

Rev Ian led a pause for thought, and Arthur dedicated a song to birthday boy Rodney.

Thanks as always to the amazing Trinity volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the whole thing happen.

Helen Durrant — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:02:09 +0000

SPECIAL SERVICE: A beautiful service of remembrance was held at Trinity to give thanks for those we have loved, who are no longer with us.

During the service, the congregation was invited to write their names on star-spangled labels and hang them on a memory tree. Rev Ian and Madeline Adey spoke about the work of the Bereavement Support Group, which meets monthly in the hub.

Towards the end of the service, 55 candles were lit at the request of friends and families. It was a very special service, and there was the opportunity to reflect and chat afterwards, over tea or coffee.

Friendship, fellowship and food

Helen Durrant — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:08:47 +0000

Friends from across the circuit churches got together earlier this month at Thornleigh Christian Hotel in Grange-over-Sands.

They spent a weekend together enjoying both leisure time and worship. There were organised sessions, led by our own Rev Ian and by NW Methodist District Chair James Tebbut, and officer Melody Clark, as well as plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company, both at the hotel and out and about in Grange and beyond.

More than Conquerers

Helen Durrant — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:32:45 +0000

As well as the usual music, food and fellowship, people who came to Relax and Refuel this month enjoyed a virtual prayer walk of the premises and got crafty with conkers.

They also had a go at writing a Haiku on the passage from the Bible….Romans 8:37-39, which mentions that as Christians we are…. ‘more than Conquerers’ (pun intended!)

Worship Leader, Hylda, then closed the session by recounting the Parable of the Sower using her Godly Play resources.

Warm welcome at Coffee Stop after Summer break

Helen Durrant — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:54:07 +0000

Coffee Stop was back on Saturday after the summer break, and you’ve obviously missed us!

Members of Trinity’s Eco Group were proud to show off a film about the creation of the Community Garden, there was a plant sale and on the Eco stand, the A Rocha Eco Church Award, gained in May of this year, was proudly on display.

Back by popular demand, Sarah Aspden had a stall for her handmade cards, and there was a wonderful display from the U3A Visual Arts Group in our Hub Gallery.

From jigsaw and cake stall ladies, to the team in the kitchen and Carol and Rev Ian on the mic, Trinity Coffee Stop is definitely a Saturday morning well spent, with over £500 raised.

Step inside the natural world

Helen Durrant — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:00:04 +0000

The Natural World is the theme of the latest exhibition at Trinity’s Hub Gallery.

Clitheroe U3A’s Visual Arts Group has been working on a selection of paintings, lino cuts, drawings, applique, textiles and photographs for the past 12 months, and now is the time to show off their work!

Members have different life and art experiences: some have art or craft training whilst others started painting for pleasure after retirement. Others have worked as teachers and designers. They come together now to explore their chosen theme of The Natural World.

A retired member describes herself as an amateur artist who finds joy when she has paint and paper in front of her. Most of the group have been looking at art in galleries for many years and of course still enjoy visiting exhibitions.

Any member of Clitheroe U3A is welcome to join them and is encouraged to get in touch to rekindle, or begin, their journey in art. Just email Yvonne if you are a U3A member and want to join the group, yvonnelyon@tinyworld.co.uk.

The exhibition will run from Saturday, September 27 to October 25, and the gallery will be open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Celebration of Life

Helen Durrant — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:30:47 +0000

A wonderful celebration for the life of longstanding church member, Howel Jones, was held at Trinity earlier this month.

Howel was a much-loved Methodist Local Preacher, past Mayor of Ribble Valley and former Head of Brookside School, church being at capacity was testament to the high esteem in which he was held.

Bev Jones, Howel’s wife said: Team Trinity machine has worked magnificently and we are indebted to you all. Our sincere thanks to Rev Ian for his skilled and insightful work in weaving the multiple threads of Howel’s life and influence into such a wonderful Thanksgiving Service. I am so thankful to belong to this community family.”

Christvin wins the hearts of Isle of Man parishioners

Helen Durrant — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:53:00 +0000

Here are some photographs of the welcome service for our wonderful friend Christvin at Castletown Methodist Church on the Isle of Man.

Christvin has been serving in the neighbouring Burnley and Pendle Circuit for several years as a lay pastor, and for the past two years as a student candidate for the Methodist presbyteral ministry. During this time, as well as ministering to his own churches in that circuit, he has been shadowing Rev Ian here at Trinity, in order to experience working in a bigger church community.

Christvin won the hearts of his new parishioners by speaking in Manx at his special service. Everyone at Trinity sends their fondest wishes.

Helen Durrant — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:54:06 +0000

The past few weeks have been busy at Trinity, and we’d like to share some of it with you. It started with All Age Worship led in a lively action song by Judith Carlton and Desmond and ended with a reflective Refresh & Refuel exploring fears.

In between, we said a fond farewell to trainee minister Christvin Edbarg who is moving on to his first official appointment in ministry on the Isle of Man. We welcomed new members to our congregation and celebrated the wedding of two very special people within our Trinity family.

Church life really is busy at Trinity, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.