Alpha @ St Marks!

Saint Mark’s regularly offers the chance to attend the Alpha Course, which serves as an introduction to the Christian Faith. Sessions usually run on weekday evenings from 7:30 – 9:30 and focus around a talk or presentation by a speaker, small group discussions and the evening includes refreshments.

Although no course is currently scheduled, we would very much like to hear from you if you are interested in learning more about Alpha.

For further details please talk to Paul Glazier (01256 328850), or register with the Church Office (01256 840502) or email the Church Office.

You can find out more about Alpha online at uk.alpha.org

Alongside Alpha we also offer 4U and a Discipleship Course. Alpha sits in the middle between these two

4U - is for those who are exploring or thinking about spiritual questions such as ‘Is there a God?’ ‘Don’t all religions lead to the same God?’ or ‘If there is a God why does he allow suffering?’ 4U seeks to explore with people their questions; there is no set list of topics or subjects. What is discussed comes purely from those who attend. All this takes place in an informal setting which will allow a Christian to add their thoughts to those questions. If you are interested please contact Jane Taylor through the Church Office.

Discipleship Course – as Christians many of us find life challenging and we can find ourselves in a ‘desert place’ where we need refreshment. This course is designed to offer that refreshment and nurture to those committed in the Christian faith. Spread currently over two terms (2 x 6 weeks) the course covers such topics as spiritual maturity, prayer, what does it mean to be a Christian in the 21st century and love and relationships.

The evenings are informal and informative with plenty of opportunity to grow in faith with others on the same journey. If you are interested please contact Catherine Gillham through the Church Office. .

House Groups – there are currently 2 groups meeting mid-week during the evening.

Both meet to study the Bible using a sermon for further reflection. They aim to be welcoming and informal. In many ways they follow on from something like Alpha or the Discipleship Course, meeting in such a way that friendships are developed and where perhaps in the case of completing Alpha, a new faith is nurtured. They also provide an opportunity for someone to develop a long standing faith and can continue the exploration and refreshment of the Discipleship Course.

They meet on a regular basis and on a day and time to suit those who come.

If you would like to join a group please contact David and Karen Lee (meeting in Hatch warren) or Dave North (meeting in Kempshott) through the Church Office. .

Search

Click here for Search schedule.

Search is a place for those who want to encounter worship in a different way - a way that engages the senses and the mind. It is also a place where we may explore our relationship with God and build a sense of community with other searchers.

Don’t expect a sermon or congregational worship that is familiar.

Do expect the freedom to engage with God at a level that is right for you. If you feel that a conventional service if not for you but you would like time to explore, reflect and connect with God in an enriching way, then this might be just what you are searching for.

Take a look at the Search Programme by following the link to see what's new.

This is your invitation to explore, reflect and connect...

Young at Heart

Young at Heart is a social group for the more senior members of Kempshott, and provides a valuable pastoral link between St Mark’s and community. We meet monthly, when we either invite speakers to share topics of interest or we visit garden centres or other places of interest.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Hampshire Police, Southern Focus Trust and Age Concern have given presentations aimed at providing advice on safety and security in the home, or the forms of help that are available to assist people in their homes. Talks have been followed up with offers of home visits with further advice and assistance, including fitting of free smoke detectors; advice and help with security and adaptations to homes, including help with obtaining grants for adaptations.

Other speakers have included a mountaineer (who has conquered Everest), a magistrate, an ex-police inspector, a missionary, a craft expert, and those who have visited far away places and come back to share experiences and with fascinating slide shows.

Trips have included the Watercress Line, the River Thames, the Basingstoke Canal, Exbury Gardens, Mudeford, a cruise to the Isle of Wight, Vyne House and gardens, Highclere Castle and many garden centres.

Transport is mainly with Basingstoke Community Transport buses whose accessibility enables the less mobile to join us.

We are very grateful to those who volunteer their time and effort to make this group’s activities possible.