A Typical Week

It’s hard to describe a “typical” week at St Mark’s as there is such is such a wide variety of activities, and not all take place every week. If you want to confirm that an event is actually taking place the particular week you want to go, do ring the church office to check it out.

Monday - Friday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Worship and Prayer

Worship as an essential part of our Christian lives. Every day provides us with an opportunity to worship to God in how we live, in following his example and in telling Him how much we love and revere Him. Our calling is to worship, not only in church, but as we go about our daily activities - work, school, college and home. But Sundays are special - a chance to join with others who love Him, so that we can praise Him together, and share our joys and our tears.

St Mark’s services are often lively and enthusiastic, but mainly characterised by a desire to draw near to God so that we can thank Him for all He is and all He has done for us.

If you can play an instrument or can sing why not consider joining the worship teams? Music is such a wonderful resource, and we are always delighted to welcome new members.  Others help with welcoming people, serving tea/coffee after services, tidying up, prayer ministry or during the services the hymn and song words, presentations and videos are all projected onto a screen at the fron to church and it's the job of the computer operators to make this happen.

Full training is given. If this is something you might like to try, why not join this team?

The Prayer market

Prayer is the life-blood of any church.

The prayer market is on the second Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Old Vicarage. It is an imaginative way of praying for the needs of the church and the world. It is also an important and exciting time in the life of the church - a chance to listen to what God wants to say to us, and He often does speak, enabling us to come away with a new sense of direction

Serving the community

The Coffee Shop

St Mark’s opens its doors and runs a coffee bar in the church every Monday morning, because that’s market day in Gillingham and we are strategically placed in the centre of town. A large number of old faithfuls love to enjoy a quiet cuppa, and sometimes even provide entertainment. Every week, new people pop in to see what we look like, and to take advantage of the most reasonably priced hot drinks and home-baked cakes in town. We would love to see you and introduce you to our little café community any Monday morning that you’re passing.

Mission

St. Mark’s Church has been involved in sharing the good news of Jesus, both at home and abroad, from its earliest days.

Within the last forty years or so many individuals have responded to God’s calling on their lives to serve him within our own church and community, somewhere else in the UK, and in overseas mission. Many of those called to work in mission outreach rely on their financial needs being met by the generosity of God’s people.

Some are in organisations which give them a monthly allowance but rely upon donations to the mission agency towards this allowance. None receive large salaries.

Currently St. Mark’s actively supports several different Mission Partners. We pray for them on the first Monday of each month, and support most of them financially from the PCC budget. Each Mission Partner is associated with a Home Group which keeps in touch with them through letters, e-mails, and birthday cards.
Look out for the Missions Notice Board, take note of any prayer pointers and include them in your regular prayers.

• Tim & Tricia Barrow
• Rob Ryan (Pioneer Church of England Ministry in Rochester)
• Joy Thomas (Operation Mobilization - UK based administration)
• Katy Barnwell
• Brian & Jenny Stutley
• Richard & Carolyn Davey
• Bryan & Marion Knell
• Lucy Haslam (Student mission in Belgium)
• Lucy Wheatley (Word on the Street, The Vineries, Gillingham)
• Carri MacFarlane (Based in Germany for Eastern Europe and India mission work).
• also Mike, Helen, Claire in various ministries.

Partner organisations

St Mark’s is part of a large local and national group of God’s people, with whom we’re pleased to work in close partnership.

Gillingham Youth for Christ

We have especially close links with Gillingham Youth for Christ, whose drop-ins provide a vital safe-haven for many local young people. Some come to our youth services, meetings and events.   Gillingham Youth for Christ web site  + national YFC link

Word on the Street WotS

Working to reach young people in the Vineries district of north Gillingham. WOTS Leader web page

Fusion

working with students and providing resources for churches ministering with students. FUSION web site

Diocese of Rochester

we are just one of many parishes in this diverse diocese. Rochester Diocese web site

Detling

Kent County Showground - one week in August, camping or day visits for this all-ages teaching and inspirational conference and holiday. People withpout limits web site