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| Fingringhoe Chapel is located in Chapel Road, which is a continuation of Church Road, having turned right at the Whalebone Public House, or a continuation of Abberton Road if approaching Fingringhoe from Mersea Road. A message of hope and committment from the people of Fingringhoe following the near closure of this Chapel was reported during a Colchester Methodist Circuit service in May 2011. The report is reproduced in full below to demonstrate that work in support of our Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom should never to be abandoned whilst there is a flicker of hope.
The Chapel is situated about a third of a mile from the Whalebone on the left-hand side, close to the Post Office. Coming from Mersea Direction, it is again about a third of a mile from Haye Lane and on the right-hand side, being the second building before the Post Office. The minister is the Rev'd Ruth Ridge (01206 242183).
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Helping to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Fingringhoe and the surrounding villages.
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In November 2009 all appeared to be lost as the Church Council disbanded and a final service announced, following on shortly after the celebration 75 years in the building. There was great sadness felt by the congregation, members of the Circuit and village residents if this was to be the end of a Methodist Church presence in Fingringhoe.
Fortunately the Circuit Meeting showed great faith and agreed that no immediate decisions would be taken with regard to closing and disposal of the premises but that attempts should be made to create a new role for Fingringhoe. A small management group was formed and Rev’d Ruth Ridge agreed to assume pastoral responsibility for the project.
Since then exciting things have begun to take place.
Additional links have been formed with the local Church of England School and Rev'd Ruth Ridge is taking regular assemblies at the school. With the backing of the Head Teacher there have been 3 “Messy Church” sessions at the Church. The first of these – an alternative Hallowe’en entitled Treats & Light focussed on Jesus the Light of The World and culminated in a paper light balloon being released into the night sky to cries of joy and amazement. from the children. The format is usually - welcoming nibbles and drink, an introduction of the topic, activities around the theme (the messier the better) and a final message with song. Other themes were Lost Things(Coins & Sheep) and Easter. The next one in June will be “A day at the seaside” using some of the many examples of Jesus’ activities around the sea and shore and activities including painting pebbles, a magnetic fish game and beach ball prayers.
The school have also used the Chapel for a World War II evacuation experience day, complete with air raid sirens to encourage taking refuge under tables and visits from people to share their own experiences.
We’ve held 2 café church events featuring Christian Aid and the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox appeal inviting people to drop in for tea\coffee and cake, exchange thoughts, watch rolling DVD presentations and listen to brief talks.
There have been quarterly Songs of Praise services at the Chapel with contributions from members of the Circuit, Anglican friends from the local benefice and the village.
The Monday coffee morning, organised by a rota of local volunteers, attracts between 15 and 25 people weekly and has become a recognised meeting place for the village community.
There is a monthly Saturday lunch club under the management of Jenny Henderson and her team of helpers for catering and transport. A conventional hot lunch is provided with tea\coffee and there is a regular pool of between 15 and 25 people coming along to enjoy a time of friendship. Each meal concludes with a “pause for thought” cum epilogue and we are considering how this might be expanded.
Other users of the premises have been:
*the Village Book Group,
* a Yoga group and
*the Village Drama Group for rehearsals.
* It has also been used as a day retreat venue for Anglicans from Colchester.
We are also canvassing the likely demand for a Mums & Tots group.
Inevitably there have been a few funerals but we will be celebrating a wedding at the Chapel on
August 6th.
The most recent event was a 24/7 Prayer room in conjunction with the parish church. People were able to drop in and spend a time of quiet in prayer or reflection as they took part in various activities using music, words and a variety of craft activities including prayer beads, Celtic designs and watercolour painting.
The event opened and closed with short services. Several people have been in contact to express their appreciation of the opportunity to share in this event.
In all of the activities we have been actively supported by and worked with Father Rhys Martin and his wife Caroline from Fingringhoe Parish Church. These growing links are appreciated on both sides with regular meetings between the clergy. We are also looking to reach out to the small number of Roman Catholics living in Fingringhoe, possibly by the setting up of a village house group.
June 12th will see the first of the planned ecumenical All Age Worship services to be held on the second Sunday of each month (except August) at 11.15 am. The theme will be Pentecost and publicity fliers are being circulated widely around the Fingringhoe area and via the schools. These services will be taken by Anglican and Methodist personnel as available and we hope to be able to use the talents of our local preachers and worship leaders in this outreach venture.
The past 18 months have been challenging and exciting under the leadership of Ruth and have moved us towards formalising our vision for Fingringhoe Methodist Church (the Chapel).
To be a witness to God’s presence and love in the wider community of Fingringhoe and to join in this witness with fellow Christians from other denominations.
This may not be a Church where too many 'standard' services of worship are taking place, but it is certainly a Church which is serving its community by showing good Christian witness, in many ways.