Activities
at
St Nicolas Church, Cranleigh
As you will see from the following
list we have an active and lively church congregation with regular
meetings of both a spiritual and recreational flavour.
You are most welcome to join one or more of the groups - please
contact the appropriate person listed below or see the separate
Who's Who page for more contact numbers.
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Alpha
Group
The Alpha course is an opportunity
for anyone to explore the Christian faith. It's relaxed,
non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun. There is a
meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you
an opportunity to get to know each other. Listen, learn,
discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha
is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile. And
it's supported by all the main Christian denominations. For
further information visit www.alphacourse.org.uk
or contact the local Alpha Administrator, Sheila Smith
on 01483 274376 for details of the present course.
Bell
Ringing
The bells were rehung for the Millennium as part
of the restoration work. There is now a complete peal of eight
bells, last recast in 1954. A quarter peal was rung in
October 2005 to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar
and again in April 2006 to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday.
Bell ringing is recommended to anyone who is looking for a pastime
that involves both mental and physical effort, and which can
also benefit the church. Change ringing is a uniquely English
practice and we need new blood to perpetuate an element of our
culture which is both artistic and spiritual. It is hard,
but mastering each step brings a great sense of achievement.
Our group is friendly and easy-going, and the Tuesday practice
night is a high point of the week. We are roughly equal
in sexes and cover a wide age group so a newcomer need not feel
out of place.
Contact Chris Robinson on 01483 274455
Bible
Study
St Nicolas Bible Study Group meets on most Wednesday
afternoons and Thursday evenings to study selected books of the
Bible in groups with time for discussion and prayer.
Contact Edna Bond on 01483 268672
Choir
and Music Group
The standard of our choir is often the subject
of much favourable comment and particularly from among our friends
from other churches. That is the good news ... now for
the bad news! Once again, I have to say that if we
are to maintain this standard we must attract more recruits to
both junior and senior ranks.
Can I ask you all to consider membership of the choir and to
encourage particularly any eight to sixteen year olds, who form
the nucleus of the junior choir? People are always afraid
of the word "commitment" but what is the nature of
this commitment? The choir practises for one hour on a
Thursday and most members arrange to sing at one Sunday service.
For juniors this is always the Parish Communion at 10.00am on
a Sunday. The choir does not sing during August.
If we wish this musical tradition to continue, will you please
give this plea some consideration? Just over two hours
a week is all that is being asked, although to be fair this increases
at times of major festivals. The junior choir receives
a small salary and fees are paid for weddings. I hope you
will give this matter some thought. If you would like further
information, please contact our Organist and Choirmaster Michael
Clarke on 01483 268012, or for the junior choir contact Patricia
Robinson on 01483 274455
Church
Rooms
We are fortunate to have
two adjoining Church Rooms just across the car park at the rear
of the Church - St Nicolas Room for larger functions and St Andrews
Room for medium size functions. Both rooms are available
for hire at reasonable rates and both have separate integral
kitchens and toilets.
For Church Rooms Bookings contact Brian Bagot on 07963 681861
or e-mail crbookings@dsl.pipex.com
Churches
Together in Cranleigh
During the weeks of Advent and Lent it
has become almost a tradition in Cranleigh that we meet ecumenically
to engage in worship, study and prayer. This year therefore we
invite every one to come to these Wednesday evening meetings
details of which are on the separate News
& Events page.
Fellowship
Lunches
Held in the Church Rooms from 12.30pm to 2.00pm
on the first Tuesday in every month (except during the season
of Lent when the Lunches are held every Tuesday) these lunches
provide an opportunity to meet together and share a simple lunch
and conversation. Any profit made from the sale of the
Lunches is always donated to a worthy cause such as The Waverley
Winterwatch for the Homeless, The Bishop of Guildford's Lent
Appeal, or St Nicolas Parish Church Restoration
Fund.
Healing
Group
Normally meets twice a month on the 1st Monday
(excluding Bank Holidays) afternoon at 2.30pm and on the 3rd
Friday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Our Healing service
is held on the 2nd Sunday of most months at 6.30pm and this always
includes the anointing with oil and the laying-on of hands. There
is also the opportunity for prayer with two or more people in
Baynards Chapel.
If you would like prayers for yourself or someone else please
contact Ros Prowse on 01483 275934
Home
Groups
The home groups began their regular fortnightly meetings in February.
The concensus among members is that meetings will last
an hour or two and part of that time will be spent with some
study material. There are four groups in existence at the
moment, one morning, one afternoon, and two evening groups. There
is room for more members and we are also happy to create more
groups.
If you want to join one please contact the Curate, John Bridges
on 01483 272573
Kids
of Faith! @ St Nicolas
see entry under Youth page
Mothers'
Union
A Christian organisation which promotes the well-being of families
worldwide. The local branch worships together at Holy Communion
in the Lady Chapel on the 4th Friday morning each month followed
by fellowship coffee.
At our meetings on 2nd Wednesday mornings and 3rd Wednesday evenings
each month we have speakers from all walks of life. We
also have a prayer group which meets every 3rd Tuesday afternoon
each month.
For further information visit www.themothersunion.org
or contact local Branch leader, Hazel Cherry on 01483 276134
Parents
and Toddlers
Pre-school children and
parents meet in St Nicolas Church Rooms on Friday mornings each
week with a monthly and toddler service in the adjoining St Andrews
Room once a month.
Contact Jane Hattersley on 01483 271522
Pathfinders
see entry under Youth
page
Sunday
Club
see entry under Youth
page
Traidcraft
Traidcraft is an organisation which promotes
farming and craft in the Third World by guaranteeing them a price
for their goods and helping with funding in set up costs. There
is a small amount of profit made in selling it but we use this
to support a Teacher in a school in Uganda where we have direct
contact.
Traidcraft goods will be on sale following the 10.00am Sunday
service on the second Sunday of each month. Catalogues
will also be available at the back of the church with order forms
for any particular requirements.
I would be grateful if anyone could offer assistance behind the
stall on a Sunday. Thank you all for your support.
For further information visit www.traidcraft.co.uk
or contact local representative Sue Knight on 01483 275362.
The New Vine
The New Vine is an outreach of St Nicolas
Church which offers an informal service of songs, prayers, readings
and talks. Through it all will be an emphasis upon friendship
and fellowship.
We meet together at the Coffee Lounge at Moat Lodge on the 2nd
and 4th Sundays of the month.
The services begin at 10.00am and last for about 45 minutes.
Everyone is welcome and you are particlarly invited to bring
friends who are not regular churchgoers. Refreshments are
available afterwards with time for a chat.
Contact Chris Tew on 01483 267413 for further information.
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