Classes
A wide range of groups meet at the church and around London. Find out more under the drop-down headings.
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What are Methodist classes? Click here to find out.
At Hinde Street, John Wesley’s original practice of combining pastoral care and meetings in the same groups is one of the great strengths of our church life. In particular it means that pastoral responsibility for each other does not lie only with the appointed leader, but can be shared among all the members of the class, especially those who meet. If you might be interested in meeting regularly in a small group, weekly or monthly, read on and find one that suits you. The aim of the small groups is to offer people support, friendship and depth in their Christian journey. While all members of the church must be in a class, meetings are not confined to church members; classes welcome anyone in the congregation who wishes to share in their activities. |
Meeting weekly
Monday Morning Group (Margaret Swarbrick’s class) meets at Hinde Street on Mondays from 11am to 12.30pm in the Quiet Room, except for a break of about two months in the summer. “We read and discuss a book. There are usually three of four of us there. Afterwards we go for fish and chips at a local café." Deputy Leader Marion Ford. Assistant Leader Gordon Slater.
Meeting monthly
John Hicks' class meets at Hinde Street after the 11 am service, usually on the third Sunday of the month. “We begin with light refreshments, followed by opening prayers and then about an hour’s conversation. Sometimes we engage over a period of months in a course based on a Bible study, a Lent book, a conference statement or some other material (for example Methodist history or doctrine, or Wesley’s sermons). At other times we have ‘one off’ meetings discussing a particular topic or the morning’s sermon, or sharing our recent experience of the Christian life in the manner of the original Methodist classes. Attendance is usually between 6 and 12. Two meetings each year are social, including families and friends. Many members are from Africa, but there is a widening mix and we welcome new members of every kind.” Deputy Leader Sallie Choate, Assistant Leaders De Graft Nunoo, Grace Osibogun and Ratangee Gopal.
Emerson Rizzi’s class meets on the first Thursday of every month, usually centrally in a class member’s home. The host provides something simple to eat from 7.30pm. “We share each others’ news and insights since the last meeting, then move onto some study based on a book or course, closing with prayer. Meetings finish by 9.30pm because some people have a distance to travel home. The class is mixed in age and gender, and we usually have six to ten people at each meeting. We also have occasional social events, including a summer BBQ”. Deputy Leader Miriam Cantor
Wendy Cruise’s class has members from many parts of London, but meets in a member’s home usually in West Central London on a different night each month. “Average attendance is about 10 people. We are a friendly, chatty and caring group of people, women and men, old and young. We gather at 7.30pm, have coffee, conversation and catch up with news, and then study, discuss and pray until about 9.30pm. Sometimes we have a long-term project and study a book. At other times we vary the topic each month. We include in our programme Bible study and social occasions.” Deputy Leader Mary Hicks.
North London class is predominantly a North London class. “We are a group of friendly committed people who share an enthusiasm to explore what Christian living entails for us individually and corporately. We represent a range of theological positions from fairly mainstream to liberal, even unorthodox, at times. We work collaboratively and enjoy our diversity in terms of gender, age and culture. We usually meet on the second Thursday of the month in each others’ homes at 7.30pm. We aim to review our class each year and often decide on a theme for the year. We base our discussions on a range of materials, sometimes external (articles, sermons) and sometimes internal (experiences, objects, insights and reflections). We have a time for devotions at each meeting. We have a good party in the summer, and sometimes, a cosy meal together in the winter. Numbers attending vary from eight to 10”. Deputy Leader Paul Horrell.
Edna Wijeratna’s class is predominantly from West London and meets sometimes in each other’s homes but mainly at Hinde Street in the Quiet Room. “We meet on a different night each month. We have a good mix of both morning and evening congregations and a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Meetings may be led by a class member or by an invited speaker and may include discussions of topical issues, theology and social concerns as well as Bible study. We also share our news and concerns and have two lunches a year, one in the summer, the other after Christmas.” Numbers attending vary from six to 12. Deputy Leader Margaret Rudland.
Young people’s class
Marion Ford’s class is composed of young people, now in their teens and early twenties, who were together in Junior Church and the Young People’s Group at Hinde Street. Now that some are at University, meetings ae arranged during the holidays and take the form of Sunday lunch at a local restaurant. Deputy Leader Caroline Rippin
Meeting monthly
John Hicks' class meets at Hinde Street after the 11 am service, usually on the third Sunday of the month. “We begin with light refreshments, followed by opening prayers and then about an hour’s conversation. Sometimes we engage over a period of months in a course based on a Bible study, a Lent book, a conference statement or some other material (for example Methodist history or doctrine, or Wesley’s sermons). At other times we have ‘one off’ meetings discussing a particular topic or the morning’s sermon, or sharing our recent experience of the Christian life in the manner of the original Methodist classes. Attendance is usually between 6 and 12. Two meetings each year are social, including families and friends. Many members are from Africa, but there is a widening mix and we welcome new members of every kind.” Deputy Leader Sallie Choate, Assistant Leaders De Graft Nunoo, Grace Osibogun and Ratangee Gopal.
Emerson Rizzi’s class meets on the first Thursday of every month, usually centrally in a class member’s home. The host provides something simple to eat from 7.30pm. “We share each others’ news and insights since the last meeting, then move onto some study based on a book or course, closing with prayer. Meetings finish by 9.30pm because some people have a distance to travel home. The class is mixed in age and gender, and we usually have six to ten people at each meeting. We also have occasional social events, including a summer BBQ”. Deputy Leader Miriam Cantor
Wendy Cruise’s class has members from many parts of London, but meets in a member’s home usually in West Central London on a different night each month. “Average attendance is about 10 people. We are a friendly, chatty and caring group of people, women and men, old and young. We gather at 7.30pm, have coffee, conversation and catch up with news, and then study, discuss and pray until about 9.30pm. Sometimes we have a long-term project and study a book. At other times we vary the topic each month. We include in our programme Bible study and social occasions.” Deputy Leader Mary Hicks.
North London class is predominantly a North London class. “We are a group of friendly committed people who share an enthusiasm to explore what Christian living entails for us individually and corporately. We represent a range of theological positions from fairly mainstream to liberal, even unorthodox, at times. We work collaboratively and enjoy our diversity in terms of gender, age and culture. We usually meet on the second Thursday of the month in each others’ homes at 7.30pm. We aim to review our class each year and often decide on a theme for the year. We base our discussions on a range of materials, sometimes external (articles, sermons) and sometimes internal (experiences, objects, insights and reflections). We have a time for devotions at each meeting. We have a good party in the summer, and sometimes, a cosy meal together in the winter. Numbers attending vary from eight to 10”. Deputy Leader Paul Horrell.
Edna Wijeratna’s class is predominantly from West London and meets sometimes in each other’s homes but mainly at Hinde Street in the Quiet Room. “We meet on a different night each month. We have a good mix of both morning and evening congregations and a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Meetings may be led by a class member or by an invited speaker and may include discussions of topical issues, theology and social concerns as well as Bible study. We also share our news and concerns and have two lunches a year, one in the summer, the other after Christmas.” Numbers attending vary from six to 12. Deputy Leader Margaret Rudland.
Young people’s class
Marion Ford’s class is composed of young people, now in their teens and early twenties, who were together in Junior Church and the Young People’s Group at Hinde Street. Now that some are at University, meetings ae arranged during the holidays and take the form of Sunday lunch at a local restaurant. Deputy Leader Caroline Rippin
