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Thorne Bicentenary

THORNE METHODIST CHURCH – CELEBRATES 200 YEARS!!!

Thorne Methodist Church celebrated on the weekend of 27th June 2026 with a concert with afternoon tea, then a celebration service led by two former minsters of the church – Rev Helena Harbottle and Rev Arthur Harbottle. Read hear about both events:-

Thorne Methodist Church Bi-centenary Celebrations

Saturday 27th June 2026

As our visitors were arriving for an afternoon of music and afternoon tea, our celebrations began with a rousing bagpipe recital on the forecourt, from our organist Rebecca Holmes. Those attending the concert in the church building, on purchasing or presenting their tickets, were entreated by Stephen Cook to snap up our bi-centenary mugs, teddies and commemorative booklets, before accepting cold drinks and taking their seats.

Over 90 people, enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of a varied programme of musical items presented beautifully by the Rawcliffe Harmonics choir, directed by Dennis Hardy and accompanied by Julie.

A sumptuous afternoon tea was served in the interval, where our guests chose between sitting in the hall or outside in our garden in the shade of marquees. A sociable time was had by all as old friends had the opportunity to meet up again, alongside members of the church and wider community enjoying each other’s company.

What a great way to begin our celebrations!

Thorne Methodist Church Bi-centenary Celebrations

Sunday 28th June 2026 – Worship led by Rev Helena Harbottle and Rev Arthur Harbottle

The congregation were welcomed by Rev Helena Harbottle with Rev Arthur Harbottle and their son Aiden – everyone being provided with an image of a chrysalis, a leaf shape and a butterfly. As we made our way to our seats, the beautiful organ was being played by former organist Robin Parrish – who played a medley of well-known hymns.

Present in the congregation were two former minsters of the church – Rev Donald Wass and Rev Jonathan Gichaara who were both welcomed.

The service opened with a welcome to the church – we were informed that all the hymns to be sung had been chosen by the congregation giving a little information about why they were chosen. The first hymn was played by Mr Robin Parrish – all further hymns were played by the resident organist Rebecca Holmes.

Hymn 1 - Here I am to Worship – Light of the World

Rev Arthur Harbottle opened with the words from the Charles Wesley hymn A charge to keep have I – the second verse ‘To serve the present age, my calling to fulfil’. That was the reason Thorne chapel was built 200 years ago to serve the ‘then’ present age. To celebrate, worship, serve and provide mission in the community. Today it serves the present age.

Hymn 2 – Guide me oh though great Jehovah

Members of the congregation read the following passages:

Colossians 3 v 1-4 and 5 – 15 and John 21 v 15 – 19

Hymn 3 – In Christ Alone

Rev Helena Harbottle reminded us from the reading of Jesus asking Peter to ‘come walk with me’, inviting the people of Thorne Methodist Church to walk with Jesus.

Jesus asked “Do you love me more…” People of Thorne Methodist Church “Do you love me more…” Peter replied “Yes” giving his heart, his soul and his life to Jesus. Jesus said to him “Look after my sheep”. Peter was terrified – he was a fisherman – he had no idea how to change into a shepherd, to become a shepherd of men. This was a massive change for Peter -a change to all he was, he is and will be. He trusted Jesus.

A cocoon or chrysalis holds a caterpillar – to become the beautiful creature that emerges from that chrysalis it becomes mush, a gloopy mess, it changes from what it was and is and emerges a brand-new creature. Are we trusting Jesus as we evolve as a person or as a church? Jesus asks us to trust him with our future.

Hymn 4 – I the Lord of See and Sky

Rev Helena Harbottle – read us fable symbolising the art of transformation:-

‘A story of a sapling tree wanting to be free and everlasting. The forester waited for the tree to grow to the right size before promising the tree it would live forever but needed to be cut down first. The tree agreed and was felled. The wood was milled and crafted into a violin. It lay silent for a long time, laid in a dark case. The tree felt dead and cheated until, in the hands of a talented musician, it played beautiful music that could be enjoyed by all. The tree felt alive and free and everlasting.’

Can we give ourselves to the hands of our master craftsman God however long it takes? The planting of an acorn will not benefit us from the tree it will grow into – but it will benefit others. Our journey with God is to enable us to blossom and to provide strong roots and shelter for the future.

We were invited to write on the image of the chrysalis – What in our lives do we need to be transformed? The Leaf – who has been pivotal in our faith journey? The Butterfly – what can we do to help Thorne Methodist Church blossom into something beautiful?

Hymn 5 – The Lord is my Shepherd

Rev Arthur Harbottle – reminded us of the dream of Ezekiel taken around the temple by God. The stream that flowed from the temple, turning into a river and then into the Dead Sea where it turned into fresh water, becoming alive and bringing life to the sea and the shores. Life restricted inside the temple was made new and transformed as it flowed outside and eventually into the sea.

We love our place at Thorne Methodist Church. What matters is what flows from this place into the community. The love and Mission flowing out of Thorne Methodist Church into the community to transform it.

Everyone was invited to place the leaf and butterfly on two trees at the front of the church.

We then went outside in front of the church to sing the last hymn – Shine Jesus Shine, accompanied by Rebecca on the accordion.