Groups
Children's Club
The C Club meets every Sunday in the month (except the fifth Sunday) during the 10am service. All infant and junior children are welcome to join.
To give some idea of the things we get up to, here's an extract from a poem we wrote over the last year:
We've been up to see the bells at the top of the tower,
Spent some time with Lavinia learning about flowers.
We dressed up to act out the nativity,
And made this banner so you can all see.
Nick came in to explain his clothes,
And we all made biscuits as we couldn't make loaves,
We've sold them to help with Christian Aid
And also sold chocolate but only Fair Trade.
We planted some grass to make the Easter Garden,
Nick Danks took us up to watch the organ.
For homeless people we gathered up socks,
And we all made decorations for Pentecost.
Alastair helped us to display poppies,
For Desmond Tutu we made rainbow dollies,
With candles, prayers and songs and stories
C Club's year has been full of glories.
Contact: Sally Flatman
Twirties
The 20s and 30s group exists to meet some of the needs of this unique generation of people. It is a group that requires no commitment, except to be accepting of the other members, and there are no entry criteria. Even the specified age-range is flexible.
So, what does a Twirtie need? Well, in a complex community like St Martin’s the chance to socialise within a smaller group and really get to know people can be essential. We aim to meet on a monthly basis as well as organising other events like trips to the Proms, Theatre and Beach. You will often find a group of Twirties having coffee in the crypt or planning where to go for lunch after the morning service. Getting to know other Twirties with their amazing range of expertise, opinions and eccentricities is one of the most rewarding and challenging sides to the group.
But we also need the opportunity to learn more about ourselves, our God, our world and the relationship between all of these. Over the last year we have discussed subjects from Creation to Judgment, drawing on the experience of group members, with a little help from the clergy. We sometimes invite other members of the congregation or outside speakers to aid our discussions. We try to encourage an atmosphere where everyone feels able to express their views and voice their doubts and hope to lead the discussions in a direction that is not only of academic interest but relevant to our own lives.
Apart from enriching our own lives through meeting together we have also been involved in recent social justice campaigns both as a group of Twirties and along with other members of the church. We helped to raise awareness within St Martin’s of the Trade Justice campaign by organising a ‘Sponsored by letters’ event and have gone on to take part in the Trade Justice rallies in Brighton and London as well as attending the MakePovertyHistory rally in Edinburgh.
Each Autumn we spend a weekend away together which is a great chance to strengthen our friendships with each other. For the past 2 years we have stayed with Religious Communities where we have all benefited from learning more about community life and spending a short time in places alive with prayer. Through discussion, liturgy, creative art and silence we have tried to provide ways to learn more about ourselves and God and deepen our relationship with Him.
We aim to meet on the second Saturday of the month. On most occasions there is a topic to discuss and there is always the opportunity to share news of events coming up or plan other trips. People are welcome to come along every month, sometimes or not at all. If you’re interested in finding out more email twirties@hotmail.com or contact Revd Katherine Hedderly.
Meditation Group
We meet on alternate Wednesday evenings to practise contemplative meditation.
Particularly if you live a busy life in this noisy world, you may feel a need for silence when you can respond to the invitation "Be still and know that I am God". If you are interested in joining us, we would be delighted to welcome you.
Contact: Anne Duffin
