13 August 2026
Methodist churches across the UK and Ireland opened their arms to local communities to wonder at the marvel of a rare solar eclipse.
Eclipse parties were held across the country inviting people to watch the phenomenon on the evening of Wednesday 12 August as part of the Methodist Church’s Day of Outreach.
Held amid dazzling sunlight and record-breaking hot spells for much of the country, the eclipse attracted the attention of millions across the nation with massive media attention.
Eclipse glasses were in short supply in much of the country as stocks sold short ahead of the big day.
Western Europe’s skies darkened for the most significant solar eclipse since 1999, and the last until 2090, as the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight for over two minutes.
Some areas, like northern Spain, Greenland and Iceland, experienced a total eclipse, but here in the UK the partial eclipse still proved an amazing opportunity for millions to take to the outdoors and gaze into the heavens.
Dozens of Methodist churches expressed interest in hosting their own events, as the Day of Outreach is being piloted by both the Methodist Church in Britain and the Methodist Church in Ireland.
At Muswell Hill Methodist Church in London, more than 200 spectators of all ages and beliefs gathered from the local community to gaze in wonder at the heavens, across fields basked in sunlight, in an event organised with the local tennis club.
Volunteers were on hand with games for youngsters, eclipse glasses and cardboard boxes to help others view the marvel.
The Revd Matt Lunn, Minister of Finsbury Park, Holly Park and Muswell Hill churches said it was “fantastic” to see such a huge turnout from people across the local community.
He said: “We’ve taken really serious the environment and we want the community to just come and enjoy it and, as you can see, they have turned out in numbers. It is a fantastic turnout.
“We saw that the Methodist Church were encouraging people to be involved, and that’s when I thought it would be a great idea to use the space we have. We are very lucky to have our church grounds on part of the Northbank Estate.
“We felt like it would get people together but we had no idea it would be as big as this!”
The Revd Matt said that a weekly music event over the course of July had attracted many people to the church grounds who then heard about the eclipse party, as well as advertising the event on social media and community platforms.
He added: “Everyone coming together in the community realising we have more things in common than the things that divide us, everybody together just admiring that there is something beyond the earth itself and people enjoying themselves have been the highlights.
“I think you have to meet the community where they are. It was something Jesus was really good at, meeting the people where they were. Science and faith is a great way to get people together talking and thinking about this and discussing what the needs of the community are.”
Co-Secretary of Muswell Hill Tennis Club, Ian Jeffries, said: “Matt, the minister, asked if we would co-operate with hosting a joint event. We thought we might get 20 to 30 people, but it’s been more like 200 to 300.
“There’s been people I recognise from the church, members of the tennis club, a lot of families and people from the sheltered housing home, so it’s been lovely we could all come together to enjoy the event.”
President the Revd Mark Slaney and Vice-President Caroline Stead watched the eclipse with spectators at a church in Lincolnshire as part of their visit to the region.
And one Methodist minister left the country to find the best view of the majestic spectacle.
Esther Miller, a local preacher, travelled to Valencia in Spain for the eclipse, which was thought to be one of the most dramatic places to view it.
Amongst other churches taking part was Lindisfarne Methodist Church, watching the eclipse amid the peace and tranquillity of Holy Island.
In Cumbria, Egremont Methodist Church got some of the best, uninterrupted views of the eclipse.
Cameron Lee-Hume, Evangelism Project Officer, said: “The Methodist Day of Outreach was born out of a desire to help churches meet new people in their communities and become more comfortable having authentic, curious conversations beyond their buildings.
“As soon as we realised there was such a significant eclipse this year it seemed like such a natural opportunity to encourage churches to get involved with – the spectacle is already provided, it has cross-generational appeal, all churches need to do is gather, be hospitable and have some great conversations.
“The next eclipse as impressive as this will be in 2090, so this will be a wonderful opportunity for communities to come together, have a shared experience of awe and wonder and maybe even contemplate the deeper things in life.”