An epic eclipse journey

A Methodist preacher is setting off for Spain to witness a rare solar eclipse as part of the Church’s Day of Outreach.

Esther Miller, a local preacher, is travelling to Valencia for the 12 August spectacle, which will be one of the most dramatic places to view it, shortly before the sun sets.

Esther, who preaches at Lime Walk Methodist Church in Oxfordshire, had long planned to watch the first total solar eclipse in mainland Europe since 1999, a rare and spectacular event. The Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight for over two minutes in some locations. Some areas, like northern Spain, Greenland and Iceland, will experience a total eclipse, but here in the UK there will still be a partial eclipse.

The UK won’t see a total eclipse again until 2090.

In the UK, a number of Methodist churches are hosting their own events to celebrate the phenomenon.

The Methodist Church is hosting a Day of Outreach in connection with the eclipse, providing a great opportunity for churches to hold viewing events and encourage people who may not be involved with their local church to come along. It will be a fantastic way to share the faith, resonating with people who perhaps haven’t come to church for a long time – or never have.

The Day of Outreach is being piloted by both the Methodist Church in Britain and the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Esther said: “On a beautifully sunny day in March 2025, I was sitting in my Oxfordshire home, wearing my eclipse-viewing glasses, watching the Moon take a bite out of the Sun. As a mother and her nine-year-old son walked by, I ran out to them and told them a partial solar eclipse was happening right then, right there. The boy put the glasses on, looked up and smiled broadly. “Oh wow!”

“That morning, I walked around my housing estate and offered the glasses to everyone I met. Everyone was interested. Everyone enjoyed it. Everyone who was with someone wanted to share the experience.

“Afterwards, I decided to be intentional about seeing a full solar eclipse. So last summer, my husband and I booked seven nights to stay in Valencia this August. I’ve never been to Spain. I’m nervous about the intensity of the heat and, if I’m honest, I’m nervous that I won’t appreciate and enjoy the city as I should – that its sites and wonders will be eclipsed by my singular interest in this astronomical marvel.

“It strikes me that putting one’s faith in Christ can be loaded with emotions like these. One can have specific hopes but wonder if they’ll be fulfilled. One might not appreciate what else will come with the venture. To share our faith is to share why it's worth being intentional about Jesus, even though the experience may be unfamiliar or even costly.

“I booked our trip long before the Methodist Day of Outreach was announced and, in some ways, I’ll be sorry to miss it. But just as my fascination with the solar system has sparked conversations with strangers, I pray this event will open avenues of connection and faith.”

The maximum eclipse in the UK will be between 7.00pm and 7.15pm on 12 August, when the Sun will be relatively low in the sky. If you want to know where you'll have a clear sightline, the Shademap website simulates sunlight and shadows: https://shademap.app/

For more information on the Day of Outreach please visit: Eclipse 2026: A Methodist Day of Outreach - The Methodist Church