Alpha 2008

This famous course introducing Christianity in a thought provoking and non threatening manner returns to St Marks this 17th September. We begin with an Introductory Supper and presentation Is There More To Life Than This? Each evening runs from 7:30 to 9:30pm. There is break for half term and an away weekend.

Is There More To Life Than This?	17th September
Who is Jesus?	24th September
Why Did Jesus Die?	1st October
How Can We Have Faith?	8th October
Why and How Do I Pray?	15th October
Why and How DoShould I Read the Bible?	22nd October
How Does God Guide Us?	5th November
Away Weekend	8-9th November
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit Do?
How Can I be Filled With the Spirit?
How Can I Resist Evil?	12th November
Why and How Should We Tell Others?	19th November
Does God Heal Today?	26th November
What About the Church?	3rd December
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?	10th December

If you would like to book a place on this years Alpha course contact the Church Office by phone 840502 or email office@saintmarks.org.uk, text or phone Paul Glazier 07802175815 or phone Hilary Nickell 01256 327478.

START - an easy to understand introduction to the Christian Faith, exploring the fundamentals at a low level using fun, simple messages and enjoyable practical exercises. Start is for small groups and runs over six 1.5 to 2 hour sessions, it requires little preparation so can be run whenever interest arises.

House Groups

There are 3 housegroups at St Marks, 2 evening sessions and a daytime group - daytime homegroup.

As an example here’s what the daytime group is all about we meet fortnightly on a Friday afternoon, at Sue Wood’s house. We meet with our children in tow – although more and more of them are going to school!

There’s no geographic criterion, it’s mostly mums who have time during the day, and find it tricky to get out at night. Anyone can join us by coming along! It’s probably best to talk to me or Sue first to check the date of the next meeting. We have been talking about prayer this past term, picking up on the theme of the sermon series.

There is no requirement to have done START/ALPHA first and people are at different stages in their journeys of faith.

David and Karen Lee’s House Group

Meets on a Wednesday at about 20.00 once or twice a month. It is not Geographical as most people are from Kempshott and we live on Hatch Warren.

We follow a sermon series, and then look at the same Bible passages on the Wednesday. It is very informal and people can contribute if they wish or just listen or if they really want to they can lead it ! We don't always stick to the topic as we often find discussions lead us in a different direction.

We also have a time of prayer again people can contribute if they wish.

We start the evening with coffee or tea and aim to finish at 22.00.

During the summer we arrange a family BBQ.

We are an all age group from 17years to retirement who want to grow in their Faith and walk with God. We don't have any special training or qualifications but find it helpful to have the opportunity to share with other Christians.

For more information about House Groups, please contact either the Church Office or Sheena Williams.

Discipleship

A disciple is a follower, a learner, an apprentice, an adherent of Jesus Christ. To be a disciple of Jesus is to become like Jesus. We are called to grow in holiness, to put off the old and press in to the new as we mature in our faith. The discipleship course aims to help us grow in this way and it is suitable for new christians fresh out of Alpha and those who just want to freshen up.

Each week we study what the bible has to say about various different subjects and then we aim to put into practice what we learn by practicing in the group which quickly becomes a safe environment for us all to 'have a go'. Each discipleship group can last up to a year as we take our time to work through the material. Interested? Speak to Angela.

Search

Click here for Search schedule.

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.