Windows onto the town of Warwick - how one church has reached out to the community during lockdown

The church has a dominant position at the northern end of the town
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Since the first lockdown in March 2020 many groups and organisations in Warwick have stepped up to help or reach out to the community.

Among these is Warwick Methodist Church.

Warwick Methodist Church has a dominant position at the northern end of the town, overlooking the Saltisford, Cape Road, Priory Road, The Butts, Northgate Street and Barrack Street, and for the last 28 years, since the church underwent a major renovation in 1993, the most prominent feature of the church has been the stained-glass window of the Cross.

Warwick Methodist Church. Photo suppliedWarwick Methodist Church. Photo supplied
Warwick Methodist Church. Photo supplied
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This symbolic image overlooks the Saltisford and treats motorists approaching from Birmingham to a wonderful vision which gradually emerges as they travel up the hill.

But it is not the only window that the church shares with the people of Warwick to display its message of hope and faith.

There is another window at the front of the church next to its entrance doors in Barrack Street.

Some residents will have noticed, over the last 12 months, an ever-changing display of pictures, thought provoking testimonies and messages of hope.

Warwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo suppliedWarwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo supplied
Warwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo supplied
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The displays have been changed on a regular basis to coincide with various important events within the Christian calendar.

These displays have been the work of church members of all ages who have painstakingly created depictions of various stories and events of the Christian message, including Noah’s Ark, Pentecost, Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, New Year, Mothering Sunday, Lent, and Easter.

Each is displayed for a few days or weeks until the time comes to replace it with the next one.

Rev Barbara Greenwood, Minister of Warwick Methodist Church, said: "At the beginning of the first lockdown, we put notices on the church doors saying that the building was closed.

Warwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo suppliedWarwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo supplied
Warwick Methodist Church has had a range of displays over the last year. Photo supplied
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"But we didn’t want that negative message to be the only thing that we were saying to Warwick.

"So last Easter, a couple of us decorated the window with the message that Christ is risen.

"Since then, members of the church have run with this idea, creating colourful and uplifting displays for the changing seasons.

"Our founder, John Wesley, went out to preach in the streets when he wasn’t welcome in church buildings.

"Although the catalyst is different, we hope that we have had the same result of sharing God’s love and hope with people who otherwise may not hear it”.