Apologies, but the article below is un-attributed as it was taken from the transcript of a YouTube video whose creator I have forgotten. If anyone one knows who it is, please let me know via the contact form on our contacts page. Thank you.
Once the party is over or you’ve just come home from a music festival, seen a great movie at the cinema or an hilarious play at the theatre, real life starts to creep back in. That’s when community really matters. Because human connection is a gift, and church is one place, you’ll find it. People often think of church as the building, but for me, it’s all about the people.
You know, I remember one Sunday when someone walked into the church, not feeling well. And before I could even do anything, people were already there, offering a seat, a glass of water, and just staying with them until they got the help they needed. It wasn’t organised or planned, it was simply love in action. That’s what church looks like.
Oh, I have to add this. Not long ago, someone said to me, “I love coming to church, otherwise I’ll just be lonely at home.” That really stayed with me, because it reminded me that this isn’t just about a service or a Sunday routine, it’s about community, it’s about knowing you belong, that you are seen, cared for, and loved. That’s the gift of church. God’s love shared through people who show up for each other.
Everyone is welcome, whoever you are, wherever you are from, whatever you are carrying. We are a mix of people, different ages, backgrounds, personalities, but we come together as one family. A family that prays for each other, looks out for each other, and tries to live with love, kindness, patience, and joy. We are not perfect, far from it. We are messy people, and sometimes we get it wrong. But we believe life is better when it’s shared, when we care for one another, when we remind each other we are not alone. A place where your presence makes a difference, because the truth is, we are better with you, with us.
Church is about being part of something bigger, a community with God at the centre. And if God is at the centre, then the things around the edges will almost inevitably find themselves changing to become more like God. It’s a place where the most incredible spiritual things happen, when we touch the Divine presence. Community is a gift, and in the family of the church, that gift is for everyone. It definitely is for me. Could it be for you too?
It’s was a long time in the making but with dedication by our team of gardeners, what was once a weedy, uneven apology for a patio has been transformed into a garden for all, producing vegetables for the church activities and the community. We have now had laid a safe, all-weather surface so that the outdoors can be enjoyed without fear of tripping up. We have also installed new outdoor furniture to provide safe seating and at the same time adding a splash of colour.
It doesn’t stop there, though. Monthly maintenance sessions take place at 12.30pm after the service on Sunday.
If you would like to join in then come along with a packed lunch and enjoy tending our garden.
Slides of the garden’s transformation may be watched here. For more information, please email community-garden@martinway.org.uk
Wednesdays 11:30am - 2pm
A friendly welcome awaits you at The Open Table, a place where you can relax, enjoy a cuppa and a chat, read a book, take advantage of free WiFi and charge your phone. You can also enjoy a hot meal prepared by our team of excellent cooks. Our food comes from greengrocers and supermarkets whose surplus but in-date food would normally go to waste. However, as we don’t know what nor how much food we are getting until the day before we cannot guarantee how long it will be on the menu. So come early for best choice. We open every Wednesday at 11.30am for coffee and serve food from 12 noon. Last orders are 1.30pm and we close at 2pm.
It is for everyone, so come along and help stop food going to waste. It is free although donations are welcome. Also we have recently gained a coveted “5 Star” rating for food hygiene from the Food Standard Agency. For further details please email opentable@martinway.org.uk
Four weekly on Fridays 12.00pm - 2.30pm
You are welcome to come along to enjoy the company of others whilst eating a two course meal comprising a main dish and dessert, followed by cheese and biscuits, washed down with tea of coffee for a very reasonable £5. We are open from 12 noon and food is served at 12.30pm. Again, all are welcome, especially the elderly and those who live alone. For further details please email lunchclub@martinway.org.uk
Tuesdays 10.30 - 12 noon
If you are feeling lonely, want a chat or cup of coffee, or simply want to take the weight off your feet for a few minutes then pop in. There will be all sorts of friends ready to make you welcome.
Christian CARE is a charity working in the London Borough of Merton. They are a group of 60 volunteers from 16 different churches offering help to anyone whatever their race, colour or religion. Each year over 100 families, whose lives are in crisis, are supported.
They are always in need of food, clothes and furniture, so please follow the link to their website for further details and their latest requirements.
Several people from Martin Way volunteer for Christian Care. If you are interested please look at their Volunteers page and get in touch.
Alternating our Harvest gifts with Christian Care above we continue to support Merton Faith in Action, who every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, run the Merton Homeless Drop-in with the help of volunteers. On average about 65 homeless and vulnerably housed people attend each session. These are mainly men, and a few women, for whom little other help is available. As well as a warm and friendly welcome they can get a high-quality hot lunch, internet access and help with filling in on-line forms, and help with moving on.
Check back from time to time to see the updated list.
| Day | Time | Activity (Contact) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9.00am | TumbleTots (Sarah) |
| 6.30pm | Pilates (Natasha) | |
| Tuesday | 10.00am | Pilates (Anita) |
| 10.30am | Coffee & Chat (Geraldine) | |
| 5.45pm | Pilates (Anita) | |
| 7.00pm | Merton Art (Monthly on 2nd Tuesday) |
|
| 7.30pm | Bulgarian Dance | |
| Wednesday | 11.00am | Indoor Curling |
| 11:30am | Open Table (Rebecca & Anne) | |
| 7.30pm | Pilates (Anita) | |
| Thursday | 9.30am | Pilates Natasha) |
| 2.00pm | TWG (Monthly on 2nd Thursday)(Tracy) |
|
| 6.00pm | Brownies | |
| 8.00pm | Wandle Band (Caroline) | |
| Friday | 7.30am | Pilates (Anita) |
| 10.00am | Pilates (Anita) | |
| 12.30pm | Lunch Club (Four weekly) (Lesley, Anne & Sylvia)) |
|
| 4.00pm | Stagecoach Performing Arts (Tim Guy) |
|
| Saturday | 9.00am | The Players Academy (Lara) |
| Sunday | 10.30am | Morning service |
| 10.30am | Sunday Club | |
| 6.00pm | Evening Communion (Monthly) |
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