About St. Luke's

At this church we seek to offer an approach to workship using the traditions of the Church of England combined with liberal thinking on matters of theology and inclusiveness, so that all may be supported in the understanding of Christ's teaching and in Christian witness.

We have a large congregation with a great deal of talent and a host of different gifts and capabilities which are offered and gratefully used in many different ways in this church.

At most of our services clergy and choir will be robed, Holy Communion will be shared, and hymns selected from 'Hymns Old & New' sung to the accompaniment of organ music. We also actively encourage lay participation in leadership of services as in all aspects of church life. So in our services members of the congregation lead intercessions, read the lessons and the Gospel and participate in the giving of the Eucharist.

We place great value on prayer and healing ministry. Prayers are said morning and evening in church but also daily by members of the congregation through a prayer chain. Laying on of Hands is provided at the Parish Communion service on the first Sunday of every month and there are occasional services of Healing and Witness.

The nuturing of children's spirituality is of particular importance to us. We have an active Junior Church, a growing Family Service every Sunday morning and schools coming to the church throughout the week.

Music plays a major part in the life of our church. We have a dedicated and talented Director of Music and another professionally trained musician to teach our Junior Choir, which now comprises over 20 children. Choral Evensong is sung six times a year by Quorum, another choir of high standard associated with the church. We have our own Music Society offering concerts involving a wide range of music, both religious and secular, as a result of which many new visitors come into the church.

Discussion of issues of faith is much encouraged and there are a number of groups provided for this purpose. In order to keep abreast of thinking in the wider Christian community and hear about 'faith in action', we have developed a tradition of inviting outside speakers and preachers to share their experience with us, supporting our own clergy, Rev Elisabeth Morse and Rev Katherine Smith in their ministry here.

 

Church Organisations and Committees

Opportunities for learning about and discussing faith

Confirmation Group	Discussion based confirmation courses run regularly for young people and adults respectively. Open to all who are exploring the possibility of confirmation and will include 'Christian Basics'.
Agnostics Anonymous	Meets monthly, in a pub, to discuss faith issues.
Pram Service	For parents and carers of very young children to meet and discuss current and faith issues. On the first Wednesday morning of each month.
Bible Study Group	Meets weekly on a Monday morning to read a Bible passage and discuss its present day implications.
Home Groups	Meet fortnightly for discussion of faith issues and/or Bible Study and prayer.
Theology Discussion Group	A forum for challenging and stimulating discussion on theological issues.

Other church groups

Prayer Chain	A group in excess of 30 parishioners who pray daily for those who are sick, in distress or need (on a confidential basis).
Mission Committee	Decides which charities to support each year, from a budget of around £25,000 per annum plus special donations.
Community Project Group	Gives practical help particularly with gardening and decorating, mainly to elderly people living in the area.
Visiting Group	Undertakes to visit people in the parish and has a link with the Doctor’s Surgery adjacent to the church
Social Events Group	Arranges social functions for new and more established church members throughout the year
Freedom Coffee Group	For retired people. Meets monthly in a house near to the church.
Scouts and Cubs	These groups have a long-standing connection with St Luke’s and have a dedicated room and storage in the Hall which they use at a discounted rate
Novel reading group	Meets regularly to discuss a chosen book.
Playgroup	About 50 children with their parents – or carers i.e. nannies and au pairs – meet weekly in the Hall

Community activites hosted at St. Luke's

Scouts, Cubs & Brownies	These groups have a long-standing connection with St Luke’s and have dedicated premises in the Community Hall.
Other groups meeting in the Community Hall	Various activities for children and adults - please the Hall section of the website.

 

 

16/03/2010