Anglican Parish of Kingston

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Parish life (2)

Fellowship

The Parish strives to offer people a genuine sense of community, living out life in the family of God in a variety of practical ways:

Small groups/cell groups

These are a key part of personal nurture.

Evening Women's Fellowship

This group has been meeting once a month for over 25 years. The group aims to encourage growth in fellowship in a non-threatening atmosphere, particularly for those taking their first steps in Christian fellowship. The format is varied and may involve visiting speakers, maintenance of hymn and prayer books and praying together for the needs of members, the Parish and beyond.

Crossroads Youth Ministry

The Parish youth ministry has been meeting for 25 years and is now led by a full-time Youth Pastor and team of young leaders drawn from within the church. It has its own website www.crossroadsyouth.cc and recent activities include a program of prayer evangelism by Crossroads members in school hours for their own schools.

Members have led mission and evangelism conferences, leading young people to Christ and to take up ministry in the Body of Christ. Crossroads has a significant role within the community, especially in the local high school. It often partners with other denominations in combined events and outreach services. It is a growing and vibrant group with around 70 members, with ages ranging from 13 to 25 years.

Men's Breakfast

This group meets at St Clement's every Wednesday morning. The group focusses on bible study for working men and also 'filling the tanks' with food and fellowship.

Prayer Pal Program

Around 40 people are involved in this program, where children in the Parish are matched with Adults as prayer partners.

Wednesday morning Bible study

Generally for women, this group of around 40 meet regularly for Bible study and fellowship. The group has been meeting in some form for over 30 years. Membership includes many single members or women whose partners are not Christians, and provides fellowship and comfort in a wide range of needs. The group has also been 'home' for women from other churches, which may not have a strong women's ministry. The group over the years has assisted many people in need of healing, wholeness and love.

Parish Women's Guild

The Guild meets monthly, providing fellowship and ministry focus principally for senior members of the parish. Funds raised by the Guild support mission work, and local and Parish causes. Guild members provide refreshments for weddings and funerals, decorating the three centres with fresh flowers for all services and for special occasions.

Education

Various education programs are in place around the Parish including on-going training and also special one-off events.

Seminars and events

Over the last 20 years the Parish has been involved with 'Life in the Spirit Seminars', 'Called to Serve', '40 Days of Purpose', 'Motivational Gifts', 'Dealing with Stress the Godly Way', Advent and Lenten addresses and others. The Parish has utilised guest speakers for these events as well as drawing on the rich local resource of Clergy and lay Pastors. The Parish is always keen to provide people with the opportunity to find new life in Jesus and to be empowered in service for Him.

Library resources

The parish supports an up-to-date library of Christian educational resources for both adults and children. Adults' resources include audiotapes of past sermons preached at St Clement's and the children's library includes books and DVDs.

Admission of children to Holy Communion

APOK endorses the admission of younger children to Holy Communion and holds classes for children from about 3 years of age accompanied by their parents.

Confirmation preparation

The Rector has held classes each year for those preparing for confirmation. Given that many of the young children in the Parish receive communion from the age of 3 and up, the confirmation class has taken on more of a discipling role and asks older children (from 13 and up) the questions of where their faith is heading.

Every Day with Jesus

This publication, written by Selwyn Hughes, has been the staple personal devotional aid in the parish for over 25 years.

Greenhouse

This is the 'age appropriate learning centre' for children attending the 9.30am service. Teams of parishioners (all accredited to work with youth) lead up to 50 children (during the sermon) for activities and crafts that generally reflect the themes in the services. The children range in age from 2 to 12. In Greenhouse 'break' times, part of the 9.30 service is dedicated specifically to children's ministry and takes place in the service.

Mothers and Tots

A fortnightly group meeting with the aim of nurturing and encouraging basics of faith in the parish's youngest members, who come along with their mums.

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