What’s On in Our Church

Home Group

The St Mark’s fortnightly home group meets locally in people’s homes where we look at a new subject each time and explore it together in a friendly but enquiring, caring way.

There are about 14 regular members but we are never all together at once as there are many commitments members have. Things we have looked at range from poetic works which draw one to God or challenge, to excerpts of drama and debates, to saying of great Christian thinkers to techniques for prayer, meditation and bible study.

Different people lead each time, but there is no obligation either to lead or to host the group. If we have one common thought about the group it is that in it one feels valued, one’s confidences are kept and no subject is taboo or too heavy or too light for discussion.

We follow a simple format. Tea, coffee and wine when we begin, followed by a short prayer. Then the discussion usually last just under an hour. We close with silence and a prayer. Typically we gather at 8pm and are on our way home by 10pm, if not earlier.

We meet throughout the year except in August. In Lent we form the nucleus of one or two weekly Lent groups.

We welcome everyone. You do not have to be long term St Mark’s have a home to welcome us to or to lead. You do not have to commit to come regularly.

 

Pub Quiz

Join the St Mark’s team ‘The Wingèd Lion’ for an evening of brainteasing fun and frivolity with a serious edge!

A number of people take part in The Alexandra pub quiz on the first Monday of the month.

The impetus for the pub quiz team came from a St Mark’s home group discussion on the Holy Spirit.

One person told us how, as part of her ordination training, a group had taken a deep breath and gone into a pub in Earlsfield to start conversations about faith. Then someone else said he’d taken part in the Alexandra’s pub quiz, right by St Mark’s. The two thoughts came together and inspired us to put up a St Mark’s team:

  • to socialise and have fun
  • raise awareness of the church at the heart of Wimbledon (yes, that’s us!)

 

Choir

The Choir is a diverse, enthusiastic group which is responsible for leading the musical tradition at St. Mark’s. We rehearse every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at St Mark’s.

The Choir is present at every Sunday 10:00am Holy Communion service and meets weekly to rehearse and explore all varieties of sacred music. There are opportunities during Holy Communion and on festival/holy days to hear the Choir at its very best, singing a mixture of traditional and modern anthems, chants and psalms.

Even with a busy musical schedule, the Choir still finds time to meet socially. There is an annual Summer and Christmas party and members regularly meet together outside of rehearsal time. Rehearsals are fun, relaxed and a great way to meet new people.

Choir members vary in their musical ability, from amateur musicians to those who do not even read music. The Choir welcomes all, regardless of ability – the only requirement is a passion to sing.

 

Film Club

St Mark’s Film Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 2 pm.  We serve tea and coffee and delicious home-made cakes before watching a film together in St Mark’s Chapel.  Recently we have watched The Artist, Argo, Anna Karenina and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  We always welcome ideas for films to watch (though we are limited to those which can be seen under our licence).

Entry is free though you’re welcome to make a donation if you like.  Bring your friends!

 

Book Group

St Mark’s Book Group meets every two months at 8pm, normally a Wednesday. We meet in a Book Group member’s home and recent books have included The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng, When A Crocodile Eats The Sun by Peter Godwin and Lonely Londoners by Samuel Selvon.

Other groups that meet in our Church

Alcoholics Anonymous

Two AA groups meet at St Mark’s on Monday and Tuesday, both at 8pm. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Find out more at http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/index.cfm

Wimbledon Choral Society

Wimbledon Choral Society meets every Monday from 7.30pm to 9.45pm. Established in 1880, they have a number of concerts throughout the year in the local area. Find out more at  http://www.wimbledon-choral.org.uk/

Wimbledon Rock Choir

Wimbledon Rock Choir meets every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The amateur contemporary choir sings their own versions of pop, Motown and chart songs, with no audition and no need to read music. Find out more at http://www.rockchoir.com/

For more information on any of the groups that meet in our church contact Hayley our Church Administrator at .