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
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
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
& Wholeness
Our service of Healing and Wholeness service is
held on the 5th Sunday 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 The Rector on 01483 273620 or any of the Pastoral Assistants.
Home
Groups
The home groups enjoy regular fortnightly meetings. The
consensus 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 Rector on 01483 273620
Kids
of Faith! @ St Nicolas
see entry under Youth page
M.A.S.H.
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, Rosemary Gooding on 01483 274855
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 Mariette Douglas on 01483 268264
Pathfinders
see entry under Youth
page
Sunday
Club
see entry under Youth
page
Traidcraft
Traidcraft is a company trading in Fairtrade goods
and celebrates 30 years of trading this summer. Fairtrade
goods ensure that the farmers and producers of the third world
receive a fair and guaranteed price for their goods whilst their
workers have fair and good working conditions. St Nicolas
Cranleigh is a Fairtrade Church pledged to use Fairtrade tea
coffee and sugar at all Church functions. The stall is
held following the 10.00am service once a month.
The profits from selling Traidcraft go directly to support Lutengo
Secondary School in the District of Mukono in Uganda. To
date they have contributed to a classroom block and entirely
for a new dormitory for the girls. Through the Guildford
Mukono link we have direct knowledge of how the money is spent
and a very good relationship with the School.
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 particularly 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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