Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport
Marple URC is one of the three churches of the Goyt Valley Pastorate of the URC, together with Marple Bridge and Providence New Mills
Our Family Service including Junior Church is held most Sundays, starting at 10 30am. Our worship includes lighting of the peace candle when prayers are said for people throughout the world and concerns and celebrations where members give news of the church family, relatives or friends they wish to include in our prayers. There is active contribution by members of the congregation, including bible readings, short dramatic activities and participation in Family Time.
Communion is celebrated monthly at one of these services.
A joint morning service with other churches of the Pastorate is held bimonthly at 10 30 am at either Marple, Marple Bridge or New Mills
From time to time, we also take part in joint services with other local churches in Marple and District "Churches Together".
Coffee and biscuits are served after our
morning services when people can meet informally.
Weekly Prayers are held in our Quiet Room
on Monday mornings from 11 00 to 11 30am and there is a Prayer Breakfast
on Wednesdays at 7am.
Special services are held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (joint with Marple and the Ridge Methodist Churches), Easter Sunday, Harvest Festival and Remembrance Sunday. There is a Toy Service before Christmas, with donated toys and gifts taken afterwards to Wood Street Mission in Manchester.
At Christmas, a Carol Service, Crib Service, Christmas Eve Midnight Service and Christmas Morning Service are held, often jointly with our other Pastorate churches.
An annual Thanksgiving Service remembers those who have died in the previous 12 months.
Junior Church participates in Family Time during Sunday Worship and contributes to special services. Junior Church usually has its own time during the service for separate activities. The congregation is happy to encourage children and young people and is always keen to welcome them. At present, the “Roots” material is used across all ages as a basis for worship and activities.
The Cradle Roll helps to maintain contact with young families after Baptism.
Church Activities
The Church and World Group meets together with the Marple Bridge and New Mills churches to discuss and act upon issues concerning local, national and world affairs. The group supports Commitment for Life, One World Week, Christian Aid, Fair Trade, Tools for Self-Reliance, Operation Christmas Child (Shoebox Appeal) and is linked with the Justice and Peace group of Marple and District Churches Together. The group also participates in peace vigils and invites speakers on various subjects.
Kitchen Coffee is held on the first Friday of each month from 10 30am to 12noon to raise money for the church’s kitchen facilities.
A Board Game evening is held one Friday a month from 8 pm onwards.
The Pastorate Youth Group meets each Sunday evening at 7 pm.
The Pastoral Group supports the members and friends of the Church by making hospital and home visits, providing lifts and assistance. Easter cards and small Christmas presents are given to older Church friends. Each serving Elder has pastoral responsibilities for a group of members and friends.
The Choir and our Organist lead the music in our worship each Sunday and meet for practice on Thursday evenings at 7 45pm.
A team of Handbell Ringers from the Pastorate perform at special services and events, also in residential homes and day centres throughout the area. They practice on Thursday evenings at 6 15pm.
An annual Pastorate Outing is held in July when members and friends from our churches visit a seaside resort for the day. This is part of a special weekend when the three churches commemorate our coming together as a Pastorate.
A Winter Fair is held each year to raise money for church funds.
The Fabric Committee ensures that the church building and grounds are maintained, either by their own efforts or with external help. The committee also looks after aspects of safety, security and fire risk. Practical meetings are held as required or to perform specific jobs.
The Finance Committee manages the Church’s finances, including preparation of an annual budget, running of Free Will Offering and Gift Aid, and hiring of church rooms and facilities.
The church actively maintains and supports its policies for Health and Safety and Good Practice.
Outreach
Day Centres for people with special needs are held on Monday and Friday, supported by Social Services and Marple Christian Care. They are run by volunteers from the church and the local community.
A Festive Meal is served by volunteers on Christmas Day for people who would otherwise be on their own.
The Kidz Klub is run on Wednesdays in school term by the Youth and Childrens’ Outreach Worker based in our church office. He also organises assemblies and Jigsaw Clubs in local schools. Our minister is one of the Directors of the Charis Trust which supports these activities. Charis also supports a mobile bus “drop-in centre” for teenagers in the local community.
Community Coffee is served every Wednesday morning in the church between 1030am and 1230pm. All are welcome.
The Church supports a sponsored walk each January in aid of the Wellspring Kitchen, the Stockport Charity for the homeless. We also support it by gifts from our Harvest Service.
We also support the Bible Society, Amnesty International, the Leprosy Mission and the Mite Scheme. Our Harvest monetary contributions are donated to "Commitment for Life".
Ecumenical
We are an active member of Marple and District Churches Together. Many of our activities are performed jointly with local churches, including participation in special services and taking part in the Good Friday pilgrimage to the cross on Cobden Edge.
