Activities

Groups

Within the community of Gold Street Chapel we have a range of groups that meet at different times during the week and with different intervals between meetings.

Home groups

Throughout the week, small groups meet in different homes around Saffron Walden to study the Bible and work out its implications for our everyday lives, to pray together, and to support one another in living a life faithful to Jesus Christ. These usually meet weekly, but this can be variable according to the circumstances of their members.

During Lent, some home groups will either close down or open their doors to members of other churches as we take part in the Saffron Walden Churches Together Lent groups. This is a co-operative venture between all the churches in Saffron Walden, in which inter-church groups meet during Lent to follow a common programme of guided discussions.

Children's groups

Our work with children of school age is shared with New Life Pentecostal Church, primarily through JC Club, a lively group of youngsters meeting on Thursday evenings. This caters for ages 6 to 11 and runs between 6.30 and 8.00 pm. New Life also run other youth groups for older age groups.

Prayer groups

Groups meet specifically for prayer usually twice a week. There is one meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10.15 in the chapel, while a second group meets on Saturday mornings to pray for the life and work of the Chapel. From time to time more extended prayer times are organised, usually on Saturday mornings.

Other groups

Alpha

From time to time we host an Alpha course, the well-known discovery course that caters both for those with no Christian knowledge at all, and also for those looking to learn more about the faith. No questions are ruled out, and the format is sufficiently flexible that it allows time to pursue questions or topics of particular relevance to the participants. Meetings normally take place in the evening, and food or refreshments are provided to allow an informal start and to sustain those who have busy schedules!

A member of our current group recently told a Sunday congregation about his experience of Alpha: click here to download the MP3 recording.

Marriage enrichment

Another occasional course is the Marriage Course, from the organisation behind Alpha. This is designed not to be a rescue mission to failing marriages, but more as an MOT for marriages that are basically in working order but would benefit from some maintenance! Each evening starts with a meal where couples sit at individual tables far enough apart to allow for private conversation. The material is delivered through DVD presentations and workbook exercises, which each couple works through together. There is no common discussion — this is an opportunity for each couple to develop their relationship in their own way and at their own speed. We are coming to the end of our first course, which all of us have really enjoyed. The Oasis lounge lends itself well to occasions like these, and our choice of background music is improving!

Men

The men meet periodically for Saturday morning breakfast in the home of one of our members. This is immensely valued by its regulars, not just for the bacon, croissants, fresh coffee (and more ...!) that is generously supplied, but for the chance it provides to talk over life issues from a Christian perspective and to share experiences of God.

There are also occasional (Friday) evening meals offering the chance for chapel members together with friends and visitors to get to know one another a little better over a meal (curry is the present favourite), in a "non-religious" setting. These are held in the Oasis coffee bar situated to the rear of the chapel building in Gold Street. Recently refurbished, this now offers very comfortable accommodation for catered or other events, and is equipped with a large plasma display for video presentations of all kinds.

During the summer, some of the men gathered at Peter's farm for a barbecue earlier in the summer - marked out by high quality burgers and questionable knees!

Ladies

When our ladies meet together, the focus is not so consistently on food: shopping and films also feature! Recent events have included a trip to IKEA, a visit to a local clothes shop, and a pudding & film evening. Again, the emphasis is on building friendships, and introducing new people to the church community. During the summer they took time out at Wimpole Hall to walk and take tea together in the gracious surroundings of this 17th century mansion. It was a relaxing and enjoyable occasion to develop friendships away from the daily routine!