ACTIVITIES AND GROUPS

Home Groups

There are a number of small groups which meet regularly, both in the daytime and the evening for Bible study, discussion, prayer and caring fellowship.  We encourage everyone to join a home group and details of the various groups may be obtained from the Church office.

Pastoral Care

At St. Matthias’ we have for a number of years had many volunteers who have and continue to fulfil a very effective Pastoral Care role. However, we are very mindful that not all of those with needs, have made their situation known to us.

If you are able to offer just a few moments of your time to help others with a variety of needs; from transport to attend medical appointments to changing a light bulb, which is difficult if you are physically less able, please contact our church Centre Office (01803 214175) and request a call from a member of the Pastoral Care team. All calls will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.We are there to help and care.

Prayer Ministry

The St. Francis Chapel is available as a quiet area within the church for prayer.      

Prayer ministry teams are available at many services, at prayer meetings and during weekday mornings when the Church is open. For further help or information, please ask a member of clergy, staff or contact the church office.

Home and Overseas Mission

The Missions Action Group supports the work of individuals and charities engaged in Christian missionary work in the UK and abroad. St. Matthias’ Church is committed to the principle of tithing, whereby one-tenth of our giving is set aside for missions that promote God’s work on Earth. The group are always happy to welcome those interested in missions to join them and interested to hear about charities to support.

Music, Dance & Drama

At St. Matthias’ there are various opportunities for worship involvement through music, dance and drama. The singers’ group lead worship at the10:30 communion services (practices are held on Monday evenings 6.15 – 7.30.) A group of instrumentalists and singers lead worship at All Age Worship and Prayzone services. There are also two evening services per month run by young people for young people, usually in the Peter Larkin Hall, which has a more contemporary feel. These are Closer Still, on the first Sunday evening and The Edge on the third Sunday evening. Both services start at 6:30pm. Drama and Dance presentations are often incorporated into various services.  All groups welcome new members, for further information on who to contact please speak to a member of staff or contact the church office (01803 214175) 

Flower Arrangers

The Flower arrangers group currently consists of twelve ladies who enjoy flower arranging. The Group has one meeting a year to plan the year’s rota and discuss the three Church Festivals; Easter, Harvest and Christmas, when its ‘all hands on deck’ The Group aim to bring pleasure to others and contribute to the decoration of our already beautiful Church. New members are always welcome, for further information contact Barbara Burrows (01803 294458)

St. Matthias' Church Pre-school

St. Matthias' Church Pre-school is registered under section 71 (b) of the Children Act 1989 to provide sessional day care for up to 20 children from the age of three to school entry.  The Pre-school is open from  8.45 to 3.15 Monday to Friday, during term time and meets in the Pine Room of the Church Centre.  Torbay LEA funds 5 sessions per week per child. Extra sessions can be arranged at £7.50 per session

The aim of the Pre-school is to provide a stimulating play and learning environment with qualified and experienced staff.  All aspects of development are encouraged and the children make friends and learn to share and play together.

The Pre-school is managed on behalf of St. Matthias' Church by a separate management group.  It enjoys a close link with the Church and its other community based activities. Church staff visit to talk to the children and the children are encouraged to become familiar with the Church. The Pre-school also has strong links with Ilsham Church of England (Controlled) Primary School although a place in its reception class is not guaranteed by attending the Pre-school.

Please contact Liz Sampson (01803 215068) with any enquiries.

St. Matthias’ Youth Club

In the past, the Church has run a Christian based Youth Club for young people between the ages of 9 and 15 from the Church and elsewhere. This has provided a safe and supportive atmosphere for young people, to meet their spiritual, social & physical needs. However, this particular club is no longer in operation. It has given way to a musical initiative called Ten Sing. This meets on a Tuesday evening in the church. More information can be obtained by contacting Adrian Wilkinson on 07957 744170.

Mothers & Toddlers Club (Open House)

A group for toddlers, aged under 5 years, and parent(s) meets in the Church Centre on Tuesdays from 9.30to 11.30am during term time and provides an opportunity for the toddlers to play together and for parents to chat. Parents must remain with their children during the meeting.

8th Torquay (St. Matthias') Brownies

Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings during term time, usually in the Pine Room of the Church Centre;  Rainbows (5-7yrs) meet from 5pm to 6.00pm (Brownies 8-10yrs) from 6.00pm until 7.30pm

Social Activities

Several times a year, there are opportunities for members of the St. Matthias’ Church family to meet together for a variety of social activities; Bring & Share Lunches, Theatre Trips,  Barn Dances,  Afternoon Teas, Picnics  and Barbecues are organised by the Social Core Group and activities are advertised in the weekly notice sheets.

Wednesday Coffee Mornings and Lunches

Every Wednesday morning, there is an opportunity to meet other members of the Church family and visitors for a chat over coffee/tea and biscuits.  Come and go, as you wish, at any time between 10:00amand 11:00 am.  On the first Wednesday of each month there is a ploughman's lunch from 12 noonto 1.30pm. The net proceeds of these lunches are used to help support Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon's ministry in the Diocese of Kaduna in Northern Nigeria.  Similar lunches are held on the seven Wednesdays before Easter with the net proceeds being donated to Christian Aid.

Thursday Club

The Thursday Club meets at 3pmin the Peter Larkin Hall.  The Club is run  mainly by retired members of the church, but is open to everyone. Those new to the area or on their own are particularly welcome. A variety of talks inspire interest and amusement covering a wide range of topics from local interests to worldwide travel adventures.  There is no membership fee but an admission of £1 is charged which includes tea and cake; The Club provides a time of friendly fellowship, there is often a raffle and sales table.  Information and programmes are available from the church. 

Parish Magazine

This has now changed to 'The Rector's Letter.' This is a simple publication containing an up date from our Rector. it is supported by our local businessess, who adveretise in there.

Library

A wide selection of Christian books may be borrowed from the library which is in the Rose Price Room  on the lower floor of the Church Centre.

The Friends of St. Matthias' Church

The Friends of St. Matthias' Church is a registered charity (No:1071191) which is committed to raising funds to pay for the maintenance of and alterations and improvements to the buildings and grounds of St. Matthias' Church and its Church Centre.  Membership is open to all who are sympathetic to the objects of the Friends.

Local Inter-denominational Initiatives

St. Matthias' Church is a member of Christians Together in Torquay and the Tell Torbay group of Churches encouraging Churches in Torbay to work together with each other.  It also supports the interdenominational organisations:-

1. LinxChristian Youth Trust, which has a teaching and listening ministry with young people in several of the secondary schools and colleges in Torbay.
2. Torbay Street Pastors working in partnership with the Police and local Council  
3. The Leonard Stocks Homeless Centre in Factory Row, which provides accommodation for a number of otherwise homeless people in Torbay.
4. The Church also supports the Chaplaincy at TorbayHospitalwith volunteer lay Chaplains and attends many local residential homes.

St. Matthias’ Church Centre

The Church Centre encompassing two halls, various meeting rooms, offices and toilet facilities, is used extensively by both the church and community. Rooms are available for hiring out to commercial and community organisations;

For further information, contact the Church Centre Office (tel: 01803-214175

ORGANISATIONS USING THE CHURCH CENTRE

 Contact information for the above organisations may be obtained from the Church Office.