Carol Service on Zoom - 20th December 2020

Although the centre could be open for worship, the decision was taken some weeks ago that our annual carol service would be held on Zoom. We felt that this would enable more people to attend and also everyone would be able to join in and sing along to the carols in their own homes. Unfortunately Rev David Milner, who was due to lead the service, is unable to do so, however many people have volunteered to take part and we will share in lessons and favourite carols. If anyone would like to join us at 5 pm please contact Sheila or Carolyn for the Zoom details.

Worship during the corona virus pandemic

As the guidance and restrictions for worship are still fluid and can be changed at any point please always check whether worship is at the Centre or on Zoom. When in the centre please be aware that the worship will not be as we have experiemced in the past due to the restrictions that have to be in place. If wanting to join on Zoom please contact Carolyn or Sheila for the details.

​Guidelines for worship at CWC

1. Please only come to worship if you are not displaying any signs or symptoms of corona virus.
2. Face coverings must be worn at all times whilst in the building unless exempt. (The preacher is exempt when preaching)
3. Please observe social distancing as appropriate at all times.
4. The building will not be open to access until 4.50 pm. Please remain in the car park until the porch is empty. From the porch, only move into the corridor when this is empty, and from the corridor only move into the worship area when the doorway is clear.
5. Please sanitize hands on entering and leaving the building at the appropriate station.
6. Contact details will be taken by the steward on entering the worship area. These will be kept for the mandatory period of 3 weeks and then destroyed confidentially.
7. Please wait to be directed to a seat by the steward. (Those entering the worship area first will be directed to the front of the room)
8. There can be no singing of any hymns/ songs.
9. No books / papers will be given out so bring your own Bible if you want to use one.
10. The donations bowl will be available by the exit if individuals wish to use it. (There will also be some gift aid envelopes available to be taken and used in subsequent weeks if required)
11. The disabled toilet will be available for use. (If required once inside the worship area please leave via the fire exit and re-enter the building through the porch)
12. The service time will be shorter (30-45 minutes)
13. At the end of the service please leave the worship area as soon as possible via the fire door (those at the front to leave first)

Worship Service at 5 pm

Each week at 5 pm for about an hour we meet to share in an informal act of worship.  The room is arranged in cafe style with food and drinks available.  We aim to make worship accessible for all ages and include family friendly activities.  There is also a range of resources and equipment for children to enjoy.
Everyone is welcome to share in this time with us.

Bible Study

Following the second Sunday service of each month there is a Bible study for 45 minutes.
A short break at the end of worship allows those who need to go time to say farewell, and those who are staying can grab another drink and some food before the Bible study begins.

Argentinian afternoon - Sunday 14th July 

We were delighted to welcome Rev Ariel Fernandez, Head of Life and Mission in the Argentinian Methodist Church. The service was based around things Argentinian and we heard a short message preached by Ariel as well as a question and answer session about his work and the church there. He also accompanied the singing on guitar and these included Argentinian and South American folk songs.

Easter Sunday - 21st April 2019

The first warm Easter Sunrise service that anyone could remember this year. Meeting at 6 am a group of 20 members and friends walked to the crossroads carrying an empty cross for a short act of worship. Whilst this was taking place the sun was gradually appearing over the horizon to shine down upon us as we sang about the greatest day in history. This year the bubbles were even larger and Rev Dave's message was about the greatest comeback ever. Recent headlines in the press said that this was achieved by Tiger Woods as he won The Masters golf tournament after experiencing a difficult few years and sinking to 1200 in the rankings. The story was also told of a tennis player who was 6-0, 5-0 down facing her opponent's match point at 35-0. The player went on to win that point and then the game and then the set and finally the match. Both of these were great comebacks but Jesus' resurrection was the greatest and has changed history for all time. Communion was held in the centre followed by a breakfast of bacon butties and toast.

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Harvest Festival 2018

The centre had been decorated in a more traditional fashion this year with a basket available at the front for gifts of food and toiletries to be donated to the Food Bank in Penrith. The service was led by Sarah Crouchley from Sedbergh and it was lovely to have friends come and join us for the occasion. The tables usually have food and drinks on them anyway, but for this service there were a number of additional items, including foodstuffs, health products, books, jugs of water and shoes. The service was very interactive and Sarah asked repeatedly for people to offer numbers or percentages of people involved in different areas. For example, "How many people live in developed countries with access to food, clean water, health, education, roads etc?" The answer was surprising - only 15% - which means that 85% of people live in countries where people live in much more difficult circumstances than we are used to. As the service progressed a game of pass the parcel took place which meant that the smallest table with the least number of people seated ended up with everything from the other tables. A graphic illustration of how unfair the distribution of resources is around the world. An anagram activity, a couple of traditional harvest hymns and a more modern song about social justice, prayers and a reading from Ezekiel were included as well. An action packed, but thought provoking service, reminding us all that we must play our part in sharing God's goodness.

Sunday 22nd July 2018 - visit of Bishop Chris Edmondson

We were delighted to welcome back Chris who had been with us in March this year as part of the team supporting the Inglewood area during the Moving Mountains Mission. Chris had earlier in the day been helping with the celebrations at Ivegill Church and had then come along to CWC to lead our service at 5 pm. We had a number of additional people to share in the service who knew Chris and his wife Susan from the late 80s / early 90s when he was vicar in the Askham area. 
Chris led a thoughtful and interactive service with the theme "Living every day in the name of Jesus". We were asked to discuss our experiences of MMM and what we thought had followed on from that and many and varied responses were given. These included the sentiment that we are often too scared to ask someone to attend worship or a church event with us but we shouldn't be. Chris passed on the thought that we shouldn't say someone's else's "No" for them and often we might be pleasantly surprised by people wanting to share with us. We were then challenged that no part of our day or our lives was more important or less important to God and that everything we did, wherever we were should be about sharing the name and love of God through Jesus. To live our lives for God day by day.

Easter Sunday 2018

The last time Easter Sunday fell on April 1st (April Fool's Day) was 1956. At CWC this year we're not sure whether we were "April fooled" or not. At 6.30 am, at the appointed time, over 20 people were gathered at the Centre ready to walk, with the cross along to the crossroads. But there was no sign of the minister, Rev Dave Milner, and there began to be mutterings of, "has he slept in," "did his alarm not go off," "what can we do instead". But just as alternative plans were being formulated Rev Dave arrived, in his pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown! We proceeded to the crossroads, sang "Low in the grave he lay - Up from the grave he arose" offered prayers of praise and thanks and heard from the Bible about the first Easter morning. Then Rev Dave told a story about the day the minister turned up for the Easter sunrise service in his pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown and how the tale of that unusual happening soon began to be broadcast amongst friends and neighbours. How at the next church service the story was retold and how photographs of said minister in his night attire was soon up on social media so that the message was passed far and wide, so that people at the other end of the country and even around the world knew that Rev Dave had taken the Easter Sunrise service in his dressing gown etc. Wouldn't that be fantastic if the story was spread around the whole world and everyone would know just what Rev Dave had done. What would be even more fantastic would be if the message that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive for evermore, was passed on and shared around so that everyone in the whole world heard the good news and was able to respond to what new life in Jesus can mean.

After further prayers and the song "God so loved that he gave his son" everyone returned to the centre and shared in communion. A breakfast of bacon butties, toast, juice and hot drinks was then enjoyed by all

Harvest Festival 2017

On Sunday 24th September at 5 pm a larger than usual congregation gathered at the centre. Four windows had been decorated to display four different kinds of harvest - from the land, from the sea, of crops and of the spirit. Food donations were received to be given to the Food Bank in Penrith. Rev Philip Dorling, Rector of the Inglewood group of churches had devised a service featuring traditional Harvest hymns, bible readings and prayers. Inbetween he had five sections where he spoke of different aspects of harvest and how currently the world is an unfair place with some people having far more than they need and others not enough to meet their needs. Through discussion the congregation were encouraged to think about God's goodness and why it was that his provision was not shared equally amongst the world and what would it take to make the world a better place. Philip touched on the work that is being done through the Bishop's Harvest Appeal and with some illustrations from life in Zululand the congregation could see how giving in practical ways and providing Godly leadership made the biggest difference so that people could learn and be able to provide for themselves. 

Easter Sunday 2017

Thankfully Sunday 16th April started off dry and relatively warm compared to other years.  31 people gathered at the Centre and walked to the crossroads with the cross, bound with palm leaves on Palm Sunday, being carried.  Rev Dave Milner led a short service including the songs, O what a morning and He has risen.  He spoke about giving a gift that was empty because that is what Easter Sunday is all about.  Seeing an empty tomb and realising that Jesus has risen and the power of sin and death has been conquered.  To demonstrate this one of the young people attending was given an Easter egg to open.  Inside it was empty!  The chocolate was shared around.  A slightly red sky and the sight of a very weak sun making its way over the horizon proved that the sun had indeed risen and everyone returned to the Centre to share in communion.  A breakfast of bacon butties and toast was then enjoyed by all.

Psalms of Praise

During a service in October Rev Tim Cooke talked about Praise and as part of the worship the congregation were encouraged to write some Psalms of Praise.  This was done a line at a time with different groups adding a line, not knowing what the previous group had written above.  Below are the Psalms of Praise written by CWC members and friends.

​​God you are so awesome.
We praise you because you are gracious and compassionate.
Thank you so much for saving me.
We are so grateful that you are forgiving.
And we celebrate with praise.

God you are so wonderful and merciful.
We praise you because you are worthy to be praised.
Thank you so much for loving us.
We are so grateful that you love each one of us.
​And we celebrate your victory.

God you are so mighty.
We praise you because you sent your son to save us.
Thank you so much for the wonder of your creation.
We are so grateful that you gave us your only son.
And we celebrate with love.

God you are so understanding and loving.
We praise you because you are always there for us.
Thank you so much for the beauty of the world.
We are so grateful that you are in our lives.
And we celebrate your awesome works

God you are awesome and wonderful.
We praise you because you are wonderful.
Thank you so much for you love and compassion.
We are so grateful that you love and care for us.
And we celebrate and praise your name.

God you are so indescribable.
We praise you because of your worthy goodness.
Thank you so much for your caring compassion.
We are so grateful that you love us and are with use.
And we celebrate your holy name. 

Harvest Service 2016

Some visitors joined us for our Harvest Festival Service on 25th September.  The chapel windows had all been decorated to represent the four groups which are run by the Centre - Take Tea Out, Movies and Munchies, Toddlers and The4Ws.  Gifts of tinned and packet goods were received which will be donated to the Food Bank in Penrith.  The service was led by Carolyn Dickinson and was based on the theme of Thanksgiving.  Harvest hymns both traditional and modern were sung and a prayer of thanks was offered using a Powerpoint display to the accompaniment of the song "Give thanks with a grateful heart".  The speaker for the evening was John Thomlinson from Carlisle Christian Fellowship who spoke about giving thanks but learning to acquire a Spirit of Thanksgiving.  With illustrations and a passionate delivery John conveyed a very important message about being thankful in all circumstances.

Easter Sunday 2016

Just before 6.30 am on Easter Sunday morning 31 people were gathered at the Centre.  Due to the wet weather a walk was taken, with a cross being carried, to the crossroads along the road.  There a prayer was offered but the remainder of the service was held indoors.  Readings about the events of the first Easter Sunday morning were read and two songs with the refrain "He is risen, Alleluia" were sung.  Rev Dave Milner presided over communion then everyone shared in breakfast of bacon butties and toast.

Christmas services 2015

On Sunday 13 December members and friends along with members of All Saints, Calthwaite met for a service of lessons and carols led by Rev Dave Milner.  The theme was the holly and the ivy and Dave looked at the different verses of the carol.
On Sunday 20 December Sarah Crouchley led the service reminding us that Christmas starts with a baby and then everyone had the opportunity to make a Christingle either to take home or to pass on to someone else and share the Christmas message.
On Sunday 27 December a short, sharing service took place with different people choosing the carols and sharing about gifts they had received and also any new thoughts or ideas about Christmas, including some Bible passages.  The evening finished with a shared supper. 

Sunday 20th April 2014 - Easter Sunday
At 6 am 24 members and friends, including 4 young children, met at the crossroads to share in a time of worship at the start of Easter Day.  With two songs, two Bible reading, prayers and a short message about the joy of knowing that Jesus is risen, from Rev Dave Milner, the most memorable part was probably the bubbles!  To enable everyone to experience a time of joy and lightheartedness Dave handed out various tubs of bubbles and encouraged everyone to blow some bubbles.  These floated around displaying rainbow colours in the early morning light.  Just as the worship finished the sun came up from behind a cloud to bathe the sky in a golden glow.  Everyone returned to the Centre to share in Communion and then a breakfast of bacon butties and toast.

At 5 pm there was a short time of worship followed by a cooked meal and lots of desserts to sample.  This was a wonderful time for the church family to share together.

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Sunday 22nd December 2013 - Carol Service
The Carol Service was a joint service with All Saints Church, Calthwaite and was led by the Methodist Local Preacher, Nigel Smith and curate Rev Jo Davis.  A number of favourite carols were sung as well as a new one "Show me the way to shine for Jesus", and the two readings were given by Hannah and Alison.  Nigel tested the congregations knowledge of Christmas carols and also issued a challenge to carry out acts of kindness during the 12 days of Christmas.  Jo brought a large bag of shoes to remind everyone of the different people involved in the Nativity story.  She went on to say that Jesus, when he came as a baby, would not have worn shoes.  He came to earth with nothing, to live a life that was humble and to serve others.  Refreshments were served throughout the service as usual but afterwards many people stayed to share in more cups of tea and coffee and seasonal refreshments.

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Sunday 31st March 2013 - Easter Sunday

Despite below freezing temperatures 22 members and friends of the Cottage Wood Centre met at 6.30 am to share in an Easter Sunday morning celebration.  Standing at the crossroads, just along from the centre and facing to the east, the song “See what a morning, gloriously bright” was sung to guitar accompaniment to begin the service.  Two passages were read from the Bible recalling the events of the first Easter Sunday and the Rev Dave Milner gave a short talk on the significance of that day for all people and the joy that knowing the risen Jesus brings to our lives.  A time of open prayer concluded with the triumphant hymn “Thine be the glory risen, conquering son”.  As the sun was beginning to appear on the horizon everyone made their way back to the centre to stand quietly in a circle and share in the sacred meal of bread and wine.

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A breakfast of bacon butties, toast, tea and coffee was then enjoyed by all.  A number of Easter chicks had been placed around the building, both inside and out, and chocolate eggs were awarded to those who were able to find them.

Sunday 23rd December 2012 - Candlelit Carol Service

Starting at the later time of 6 pm members and friends gathered in the candlelit church to enjoy a time of worship including lessons and favourite carols.  Rev Dave Milner asked the question "What colour is Christmas?" and shared thoughts on the colours that remind us of Christmas such as red, green, white and then illustrated a number of different aspects of the Christmas story using the colours.  Afterwards everyone enjoyed a time of fellowship when seasonal refreshments were served.

Sunday 16th September 2012 - Harvest Festival service

On 16th September at 5 pm a number of friends gathered with church members to share in a short Harvest Thanksgiving.  The service was led by Carolyn Dickinson and as part of worship a fruit salad was made.  We heard about the different countries where the fruit had grown and been harvested and spent some time in prayer thinking about the needs of those countries.  Everyone was then challenged to think about the kind of fruit they produced and whether it would be acceptable to be harvested by God. 
At the end of the service about 20 people stayed and shared in a harvest supper with a choice of hotpot or vegetarian lasagne.  This was followed by a selection of fruit puddings served with cream or ice cream.

Sunday 29th April 2012 - First worship service in refurbished Centre

About 30 people met at 5 pm for the first service to be held in the refurbished Centre.  Although all the work has not been completed members made a valiant effort to make the building ready to receive its first visitors.  Food and drinks were available though the kitchen is not yet fully installed and all other facilities were in full working order.  Birthday cake was also shared as a number of members and friends were celebrating their birthdays in the coming days.

The service was led by Carolyn Dickinson with music provided on electric and bass guitar.  The theme was Thomas and how he doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead.  When Thomas saw for himself that Jesus was indeed alive his response was to claim Jesus as "My Lord and my God".  Thinking about how we all at times have periods of doubt this was an opportunity to reflect on any doubts that people may have had when the question of refurbishment of the former Plumpton Back Street Chapel was first raised about 5 years ago.  Now that the Centre has been refurbished it is hoped that there will be many opportunities for the building to be used for Church events but also to be hired for a variety of uses by others.  

Family Friendly worship cafe style

A relaxed and informal time together

Crafts and Activities

Time to get busy