As a congregation Central tries to stay in touch with and serve the community in which it is set - we reach out in many ways, some of which are listed below. The congregation also has a very active social life.
N.B. There is a lot going on at Central, so this page is permanently under construction! Please e-mail us if you need specific information urgently.
The centre is a safe meeting place where children of separated relationships cam maintain contact and enjoy the company of their absent parent or other relative. The Centre is run by trained volunteers and is open every Saturday morning 9.30am -12.30pm, and on the first Saturday of each month until 3.30pm. To use the Centre you need to complete a referral form available from the Co-ordinator. E-mail us if you need more information.
Provides hostel accomodation and services for the homeless in Torquay. We have supported the project for many years with our giving and our prayers. Factory Row, which is run by the Langley House Trust, provides
* a Direct Access Hostel (Factory Row Centre) for men only * annexed accommodation (The Copse and Christopher House) for men and women * a GP surgery * a range of supported accommodation in the Torbay area
Once a month, on the second Sunday, we provide a Sunday lunch for the homeless. Currently we have two teams who work to provide these meals but can always use more volunteers! It's quite a meal, and helpers get fed too so.....
The Women's Network of the Methodist Church aims to encourage, enable and equip women to participate fully in the life of the Church and in society. Women's Network in the local church is the main organiser of Easter Offering, through which it raises money for the Fund for World Mission. Their 2005/2006 project is the Karibuni Trust which provides support to orphaned/street children in Kenya.
Open Doors is a charity working with Christians who are persecuted for their faith across the world (currently in over 40 countries.). They deliver Bibles and provide equipment, training and support for high-risk areas where Christians are living under restriction or persecution. Central is part of the local group praying for this work.
From the Operation Christmas Child website:-
"Is your heart broken by the desperate plight of millions of children around the world? Whether they are refugees of civil war, survivors of a natural disaster, or victims of extreme poverty, these little ones need to know that they are precious to God. That's the motivation behind Operation Christmas Child, the unique project of Samaritan's Purse that enables caring people to share God's love with hurting girls and boys in the far corners of the globe."
As a congregation, each autumn, we fill shoe-boxes with toys and other gifts and send them . We also act as a collecting and packing centre for the many congregations and schools in the area who are part of this work. Volunteers will be needed from mid-November.
STOP PRESS - This year so far - 28.11.2008 - we have packed nearly 6,800 boxes.
Project 58 Offers support, care, respect and healing to anyone, regardless of their gender, religion or race, who is homeless or disconnected from their usual social environment.
Our Christianity should reach into our pockets and shape our economics! So Central is involved with Traidcraft. Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organisation dedicated to fighting poverty through trade. The charity works with more than 100 producer groups in over 30 countries around the world, helping them build sustainable livelihoods for the future. We locally have our own Traidcraft stall selling fairly-traded goods of all kinds, and have recently started running a stall at a local farmers' market.
Meets several times a week, with substantial membership. Plays matches at home and away, and runs classes for beginners. Junior and Senior Clubs, social and league players welcome.
Handicrafts and cake (sometimes)! Tuesday 10am-12noon
Making music with bell-plates. Fridays from 11am
Monday evenings at 18.30. A time of gentle exercise and fun.
Meets weekly on a Tuesday at 19.30. There are speakers on a wide range of subjects, musical evenings and evenings with spiritual interest. Aimed at all age groups.
Meets every other Thursday at 19.45. Wide range of speakers, some open meetings for everyone, and occasional summer events. Aimed at all age groups.
Saturday afternoons, once a quarter - gentle dancing in civilised surroundings!
For the more mature ladies. Meets each Monday at 14.30. with speakers on a wide range of subjects. Transport can be arranged.
Last modified: Fri Mar 6 21:52:51 GMT 2009