These groups are designed to encourage us to deepen our understanding of Christian worship, service and mission. They are purely voluntary and will be largely independent and self-directing. The clergy are happy to offer advice and support and we hope that in time each group will feel it has something to offer the wider church family.
The PCC has agreed that any initiatives affecting the life and worship of St Stephen’s proposed by a group should be agreed by the Priest in Charge/Vicar.
What follows is a brief outline of what each group could engage with.
Nurture and growth
Purpose:
- To grow in our knowledge of the Christian faith and to learn how to nourish our lives in the riches of the Anglican tradition.
Possible activities: - Learning through following a course of study (such as Emmaus) or a particular book.
- Creating space in which newcomers (and long-standing members of the congregation) can ask questions and explore what being a Christian means.
- Developing an understanding of how the Church enables us to deepen our relationship with God.
Back to top Theology and liturgy
Purpose:
- To gain a clearer understanding of how the tradition of the Church is revealed and expressed in the Eucharist.
Possible activities: - Organising meetings or seminars to highlight the importance of the Eucharist in the Church’s life and to put Church teaching into context as it affects us at St Stephen’s.
- Discussing within itself and/or sharing with the church current controversies, recent developments or official documents.
Back to top Spirituality
Purpose:
- To explore and highlight the riches of catholic spirituality as we share them at St Stephen’s and as other places of worship enjoy them.
Possible activities: - Looking at different spiritual traditions in theory and in practice. Visiting other churches, other denominations to understand them better.
- Encouraging retreats, pilgrimages, quiet days etc.
- Encouraging the development of greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament at St Stephen’s.
Back to top Mission and evangelism
Purpose:
- With the strength we draw from the Eucharist to grow as a community of hope and thankful joy.
Possible activities: - Engaging with and using the many published sources of information about growing the Church.
- Becoming more engaged in projects that spread the good news of God’s kingdom in the parish, in our own families and in the wider world.
- Engaging in pastoral work among all ages.
- Increasing our awareness of the needs of others throughout the world and the gospel’s demand that we embrace the excluded, the disadvantaged and the poor.
Back to top Youth Alive
Youth Alive for young people from 11 upwards, meets on Sunday mornings at 10am in the Youth Alive room. They enjoy drama and discussing topical issues such as bullying, greed, the environment. Once or twice a year they lead the All Age Service in church.
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Kids Alive
Kids Alive is for children from 3 years and upwards. They meet in the church hall at 10am during the main service and learn about the Christian faith through stories, games and other activities.
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Boys Brigade
The Boys Brigade at St Stephen's has been running for 15 years. Company Section (ages 12-17) meets on Tuesday Evenings and Anchor Boys (ages 5-8, including girls!) and Junior Section (ages 9-11) on Wednesday evenings in the Church Hall. More details available from Mick Baker 020 8679 0758.
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Bible Study Group
This meets on alternate Friday evenings in the Church Choir Vestry. Details from Christine Wheeler 020 8771 6438.
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Mothers Union
St Stephen's has a large and active MU branch with frequent meetings - held usually on Saturday mornings. The MU is open to men and women. It seeks to support and enrich the life both of the Church and of families of every kind. Details from Stephen Srikantha: 07957 916443.
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