THE lay pastor helping to run the Week St Mary Methodist Circuit has decided to organise a mid-week worship for farmers who, due to work commitments, are unable to attend Sunday services.

Following the departure of Rev Danny Wheadon, Mr Brian Parkman came out of retirement to help look after the Methodist Circuit, together with the superintendent minister, Rev Bryan Ede.

Mr Parkman said: "I made it my business to visit the area's farmers who had been connected with the Methodist Circuit. I've done a lot of listening and appreciate the fact that many of these people, who at one time came to worship quite regularly, now it's too big a deal to try and get here at 11am, so I thought give them a different opportunity once a month."

Therefore, starting in January, a midweek worship will be held at Eden Methodist Chapel, just off the A39 at Wainhouse Corner, on the last Wednesday of each month. Eden Methodist Chapel has been chosen for its central location and because of its recent renovation.

Mr Parkman explained that it would not be the traditional five hymn service but would have a "café style." The first 15 minutes will allow for chatting over tea and coffee, which will be followed by half an hour of worship and talk and then 15 minutes of discussion of the subject.

He said: "It's going to be a mid-week worship for those who can't make it on a Sunday, especially for the farming community but everybody's welcome."

The first mid-week worship is going to take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. It will be held again on February 25 and March 25 and Mr Parkman said the situation would be reviewed after the three months.