Situated right in the heart of Histon, we are a lively growing church serving both north Cambridge and the surrounding area, as well as the village itself. You can see a map here - there are ample parking facilities nearby.
We are part of the Cambridge Methodist Circuit and have good ecumenical relationships with local churches of other denominations. We are also very actively involved with a wide variety of community activities.
Due to the adverse weather forecast this evening, the Carols on the Green event has been moved to Histon Methodist Church on the High Street starting at 6pm.
Choirs from the village schools will be singing at 6pm, followed by the Carols on the Green starting at 6.30pm. All are welcome to this Churches Together annual event. There will also be refreshments available before 6pm.
Service sheets will be provided.
What were you doing this time last year? It’s a question which is often discussed in our
household as we reflect on the year which has passed us by and we look forward to the next year.
It’s been an incredible year for Histon and Castle Street with many changes and momentous
events. Histon have installed new toilets and held an amazing flower and quilt festival; Castle Street
have had so many baptisms and confirmations I’ve almost lost count and had a fantastic
weekend away with 3Generate.
For many of us, it will be the coming of the end of our adventure with the Bible as we complete
reading it in a year: a huge congratulations if you made it this far, and I know we’ve all been
challenged and inspired all at the same time (and I’m pretty sure we’ve all wanted to throw our
Bibles across the room at some point in frustration!) And if you’d like to start a new
adventure in January (see the notice elsewhere in this newsletter), you’re welcome to do so and join
me for another year of reading!
There are a few last things to look forward to as we bid farewell to 2024: there’s the annual Open
Manse for carols and mince pies (perhaps we should call it manse pies!) 2–5pm on 15th
December at the manse. All are welcome.
We also enjoy our family Christmas services which are open to all and accessible for all ages. This
year we will be exploring the role of reindeers in the Christmas story—trust me, it will all make
sense! Come along to this service with friends and family for a reindeer activity packed service. We
have our usual services over Christmas which all are welcome to.
Looking forward to next year, we will be holding some cyber security training in the church to help
educate and refresh ourselves on how to stay safe online: criminals get cleverer and more savvy
every day, and it’s important that we also keep up to date in our learning and understanding. This is
not compulsory, but optional for anyone who would like to learn a bit more!
Our church family weekend away 21st–23rd March is going ahead at Sizewell Hall in Suffolk
and bookings are open to the general church. If you would like to come and reserve a space,
please let Rev Jenny or Denise know—places are limited and it’s on a first come first serve basis.
As we enter this period of watching and waiting for the coming of our Lord, we remember the story of
the Christ child, who was born into occupation and homelessness, and became a refugee. In the
midst of our preparations, we pray and remember those who also watch and wait, but who fear
persecution because of their faith; those who are homeless; and those who are refugees.
Rev Jenny
As we approach Remembrance, we are called to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by so
many, so that we might live in peace and freedom today. It’s a time when we remember those who
gave everything for the sake of others, and we’re reminded of the power of community, faith, and
hope. Just as those who have gone before us banded together for a greater purpose, we too are
called to come together—both in memory and in the spirit of unity as a church family.
This sense of togetherness is at the heart of our upcoming Church Families Weekend Away, which
will take place 21st–23rd March 2025 at Sizewell Hall retreat centre in Suffolk, a beautiful stately
home on the coast. This is intended to be primarily a family weekend away; initially booking
will be for families, and then we will open it up to other members of the congregation. As well as
Castle Street and Histon, we are inviting families from Chesterton and Wesley to come to join us.
We know that life can be busy, and moments to pause and reconnect with one another can be
hard to find. That’s why this weekend is so special. There will be time for reflection, worship, and, of
course, plenty of fun! Imagine a weekend filled with laughter, shared meals, and moments of
peace by the Suffolk coast. It’s not just an event— it’s an opportunity to grow closer, to nurture faith,
and to strengthen the bonds that make our church community so special.
Our young people have been asking for more events like this, and after the success of
3Generate, where young people from Castle Street, Histon, and Chesterton came together, this
weekend is part of our commitment to nurturing the faith of all ages. Families will have priority, but
once spaces are filled, everyone is welcome to join us. We want to build a weekend that is full of joy
and connection, creating a space where everyone feels at home.
The cost will be approximately £75 per person with subsidies and bursaries available for those
who need them—please speak to Rev Jenny. A minibus will be provided for those without
transport (subject to a small fee). The rooms are a mixture of family rooms, doubles and a few
singles; they are not ensuite, but there are plenty of bathrooms on each floor to make it feel you’re
only sharing a bathroom with one other person. If you are interested, please complete a booking
form, available from Rev Jenny, Fiona or Denise, and submit it by 10th November with a £10 non-refundable deposit.
Spaces are limited, so don’tmiss out on this opportunity to be part of something truly special. If you have any other
questions, do ask any of us. This weekend offers a wonderful opportunity for
families to deepen their connections, explore faith together, and make lasting memories: whether
you are a family with children or simply part of our wider church family, this weekend is for you!
Rev Jenny
Dear Friends
Thank you so much for all your prayers, messages, cards, well wishes, and understanding you gave
me during my time off. I felt very loved and cared for and really missed you all. I’m pleased to be
back at work and, as I mentioned in my harvest sermon, I’ll be working in a different way upon my
return—thank you for respecting and supporting this decision.
Lots of exciting things are happening in October, especially Castle Street and Histon Methodist
churches taking young people to 3Generate. Please pray for all of us during the first weekend
of October and we look forward to sharing what we did with you.
Many of you will know that in July I submitted for my LRSM piano exam (it’s a big and difficult
exam!). I’m very pleased to announce that I passed! A huge thanks to my teacher, Matthew
McCombie, Su, my page turner, and Joy, who had to endure me moaning about it a lot.
Exams have been a constant topic of conversation in the manse for Paul and me. Hopefully by the
time this newsletter goes to print, Paul will have finally finished all his training and passed his
exams and be ‘fully type-rated’ on the A321-Neo flying for Wizz air. He’s been flying passengers
under supervision for the last two months and is starting to enjoy it a bit more, and no doubt will
grow into the role when he’s let free to fly by himself. If you live in Histon and see a plane flying
overhead, it could very well be Paul!
As we move into this time of Autumn, there is so much change around the air. The change of trees
and temperatures, the slow psychological move to approach the winter months and even start
thinking about Christmas. The nights are drawing in and we find ourselves inside a bit more. I’m
reminded that through all this change, God’s love is constant and unending. Despite all the change
we see around us, God is steadfast.
Every blessing;
Rev Jenny
Dear Friends,
Do you remember that sense of excitement and
anticipation in early September when the new
school year began? In my case—it was perhaps
getting a new satchel, a new pencil case and even
maybe a new school uniform, as you went back
after ‘the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer to
maybe a new school, a new form and probably
new teachers.
September is, for us as Methodists, a month of
many new beginnings: the beginning of our church
year with all that it entails. It is the beginning of a
new liturgical year—some churches will have a new
minister, we will have a new plan, and notifications
of autumn meetings begin to filter through.
Harvest Festivals and Christmas events suddenly
seem to loom on the horizon.
We in Histon also face the beginning of our latest
building scheme with the prospect of a spanking
new toilet block planned—which obviously will
cause some disruption—but with our vision of a
busy, well-used community building further
enhanced and coming to fruition.
My encouragement to you is to enter this month
and this church year with that sense of excitement
and anticipation: try not to let the feeling of being
overwhelmed by the thought of all the forthcoming
events and commitments weigh you down!
We remember that God is with us every step of the
way, through the highs and lows of life and all it
entails, and we ask Him to be with us in all that
we do in His name, enabling us to pass on a
sense of joy, as we carry out His will in this place
and in the community.
As I write this letter on behalf of Jenny our
minister, we assure her of our love and prayers as
she enjoys a well-earned rest. We look forward to
her returning to us refreshed and able to walk
alongside us, as together we all endeavour to
share the love of God—and the peace and joy it
brings—with others.
Judy Wynn, Steward
The builders started on 2nd September and are expected to be finished by the end of October.
All activities in the church and hall are continuing as normal.
However there is no access to the old kitchen or the corridor. Please bear with us as the work is carried out.
We have to restrict parking at church to allow the builders clear access.
So, for approximately six to eight weeks, starting 2nd September, Mondays to Fridays 8am–5pm, there will only be parking for 3 cars, and these will be for blue badge holders only.
If this applies to you, please can you park parallel to the road behind the notice board. There will be no parking on the right
hand side area facing the church. There is a plan on the Church door. Weekend parking should not be affected.
Two portable wheelchair accessible toilets are positioned on the car park in front of the meeting room/vestry.
These will be unlocked at times when the building is in use.
I hope you’re enjoying the summer months, or
what we’ve had of them anyway! At the coffee
morning recently, someone told me the reason
we’ve had bad weather is because there have
been so many sporting events and now they’re
almost finished, we’re bound to have good
weather!
Thanks to everyone who has been supporting
myself and Paul as he continues his training with
WizzAir—there’s a late-breaking update elsewhere
in this newsletter!
This summer the time has come to take my
Rangers to Switzerland for 10 days—it feels like a
million years ago we were doing a fundraising
coffee morning for this trip and helped lead the
service at Histon. Please do pray for myself and
Fiona from Castle Street as we embark on this
adventure, and I look forward to sharing all the
stories with you on our return. Paul and I also have
ten days at the end of August where we will have
some time together: this will be the first time
we’ve had since March so we are both looking
forward to some precious time with each other.
August is generally a quiet month in the life of the
church, and so I encourage you to use this time to
rest in the presence of God and spend some with
God in God’s gorgeous creation, because come
September, we have a million things to look
forward to!
Our toilet redevelopment at Histon will shortly
commence and as a consequence we will be
having a scaled down Harvest Festival. However!
We will be having a joint harvest supper at Castle
Street on Saturday 21st September. It will be a
bring and share like last year, and will most likely
feature a few fun games as well. Neither church
will be having extravagant displays this year, but
will be focusing on goods for the food bank and
making a display within the service itself. If you’d
like to make a commitment to supporting the food
bank over the summer, please do add one of the
following to your weekly shops and bring in your
food bank bounty at the Harvest festival: soap, oil,
stock cubes, sugar, and passata.
We had an incredible Old Testament Day with
Professor Judith and we were so blessed to share
her wisdom and knowledge last month. She has
kindly agreed to do another study morning,
focusing on the New Testament, to help support
anyone who is doing Bible in a Year—but if you
have a thirst for knowledge and want to know a bit
more about the New Testament, do come along!
All are welcome on Saturday 23rd November.
Thanks to everyone who came to the open manse
last month: it was great to have some time
together and fellowship, and I wish you every
blessing this ‘restful’ ‘sabbath’ August.
What a whirlwind June was! We had so many
exciting and wonderful events and opportunities
for worship—thank you for all your support and for
the way you engaged; it was great to see the
church so alive in so many ways.
This month will see the harvest of our £10 talent
challenge, and we celebrate all the wonderful
things people have done to help raise money for
the toilet project at Histon. If you have any photos,
please send them to me and if you’ve done
something with your £10, do let me know so I can
include you. If you’ve already told me: tell me
again—I’m paranoid I’m going to miss someone off
my list! They will be a feature of our section
service in Histon on Sunday July 21st, where we
will be joined by our friends from Castle Street.
And while you’re in Histon on Sunday 21st, why
not stay and have lunch before coming over to the
Manse for our Open Gardens at 2pm. I’m not
promising the level of gardening that Su and Nick
offered at their NGS gardens last month, but this
is an opportunity for a social gathering for both
churches to come and enjoy each other’s
company and see how the Manse garden has
progressed!
If you’re looking for a holiday and always wanted
to visit Jersey, Matthew and I will be doing a
concert at Georgetown Methodist Church on
Thursday 29th August. You’re very welcome to
come over!
Thanks to everyone who has asked about my
Mum after her recent pneumonia; she passes on
her thanks to everyone for their thoughts and
prayers, and continues to get better very slowly.
Thanks also to everyone who has asked about
Paul and his training. It’s going well! July 21st will
be his first flight on the A321 on a practice circuit
in Hungary and once he’s done enough of these,
he will start flying actual people (under
supervision) to finish his training.
If you have a prayer to spare, do remember me as
I take a group of Rangers (older Guides) to
Switzerland for 10 days at the end of July for a trip
of a lifetime to visit one of the World Centres of
Girlguiding. I look forward to coming back and
boring you all with stories!
Every blessing