KEMPSTON WEST

Thought for the month

'When you arise in the morning,

think for a moment of what a precious privilege it is to be alive -

to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.'

Marcus Aurelius

The simple things are often the best:

a simple, helping hand, a kindly thought, 

the simple phrase, "Of Course, I understand"

Dear all,

Well, what does 2026 mean to us? For some it may be a happy event like a christening, a wedding or a special anniversary. Unfortunately for some it may mean coping with bad health or an operation. Who sees us through? Many will say family but what if you have no family ? Some may say friends, again not everyone has friends. Some may say the Church and fortunately we have a fellowship here at West that care about each other. It was no co-incidence that not only did Chris Sandy, but also the Archbishop of Canterbury and even the King emphasised in their Christmas messages, the importance of being a neighbour to all. There are folk in our congregation who visit those unable to attend; who give time to and support to neighbours who are grieving; those who take flowers to a friend who is worried or take a person who leads a stressful life out to lunch. Those in the congregation who do such things as these will say modestly, it is nothing but it is setting the best example possible that of Christ Himself set in the parable of the Good Samaritan. How does the hymn go, "Christ has no hands but our hands to do his work today" Amen to that…

Christmas Day Service

was held again by  zoom and taken by John Sackett. Thanks go to John for giving us the opportunity to worship together on Christmas Day.

Brigades Carol Service

was held on the 1st December 2025 with Kempston East Church full. Thanks go to the Brigade leaders and girls and boys for their cheerful items and for giving us a good start to Christmas .

Church Carol Service

held on 21st. December 2025 with Rev. Chris Sandy was enjoyed by all especially the hot drinks and mince pies afterwards.

Members Christmas Giving

Thank you so much to those who gave the items to:

• Bedford Food Bank providing 69 meals,
• Salvation Army for over 40 items of colouring books and pens/pencils
• Medical items for Ukraine via Bedfordshire Police.

It shows that a little can go a long way. The items for Ukraine are ongoing, please.

Kempston West Methodist Church is part of the

North Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit, which is part of the

Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Methodist District, which is part of the

British Methodist Connexion.

The church building dates from 1860 and the frontage was re-modelled in 1967.

More history can be found in My Weslyan Methodists and Bedfordshire Archives.

We have been granted the A Rocha Eco Church Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to care for God's earth in each of the following areas: Worship and Teaching, Management of Buildings and Land, Community and Global Engagement, Lifestyle.

We are a Fairtrade Church, committed to supporting Fairtrade farmers by using fairly traded products and promoting them in the community.

1st Kempston Girls Brigade meets on Wednesdays during term time. 

Download information leaflet.

Bunyan Preschool meets on weekdays during term time.

Kempston Concert Band meets on Monday evenings.