GRACIOUS STREET METHODIST CHURCH We hope you will find the information on this page helpful. For general information please contact Joyce Hoare: telephone 860750 email joycehoare@sky.com For all room bookings please contact Bill Rodham: telephone 865846 email bill-dot.rodham@ntlworld.com Introducing the Christian Faith Worship and Prayer Children and Young People Home Groups Social and fellowship activities Serving the wider world	Phase One of the COGS redevelopment scheme is now completed (see COGS Redevelopment Scheme below) and was officially opened by the President of the Methodist Conference on 21 November 2009.
Alpha Courses are run regularly each year.  For more information please contact Sue Whalley on 01423 862252 or sue.whalley@gmail.com . COGS Redevelopment Phase One is now complete and the new building is in use. The Bridge coffee bar is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings each week from 10.00am - on Fridays light lunches are served by students from Harrogate College. Fundraising still continues for Phase Two, however, which will complete the redevelopment of our older buildings to provide improved facilities for both church activities and community use. Churches Together in Knaresborough We play a full part in all the joint church activities and united services of Churches Together in Knaresborough. Facilities for the disabled To ensure that our buildings and activities are open to all, we have disabled access, a loop system and large print and Braille books for use in worship. In addition to several toilets for the disabled we also have a Changing Places Toilet for those with severe disabilities and their carers.

Introducing the Christian faith ALPHA A ten-week 'Christian basics' course, used by churches of many denominations all over the world. Each session includes a hot meal, a talk and opportunity for questions and discussion. Alpha is for: Those wanting to investigate Christianity New Christians Newcomers to the church Those wanting to brush up on the basics At least one course is held each year, as arranged.

Worship and Prayer In addition to the Sunday Services (see Knaresborough Online Places of Worship for details) activities and opportunities include: WORSHIP GROUP An opportunity for singers and instrumentalists to rehearse for Sunday worship and other events Tuesdays 8.00pm in the church PRAYER MEETING An informal meeting to pray for the church, the town, the world and for individual needs Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm PRAYER BOARD Write your prayer requests and pin them on the board in the church hall. These are transferred to a prayer book in the church vestibule each Sunday, and prayers are offered during Sunday worship. PRAYER CHAIN Prayer needs can be circulated amongst church members by telephone or e-mail

Children and Young People (The church operates a safeguarding children policy) PLAYBOX Toddler group for children up to school age with their carers Fridays 10.00-11.30am in the church hall NOAH'S ARK PRE-SCHOOL A pre-school for children aged 2 to 5 years. OFSTED inspected and with qualified staff. Monday-Friday 9.15-12.45; and Tuesday & Thursday 1.15-3.45 in room behind the church. Owl Group for older children Tuesday and Friday mornings. SUNDAY CRECHE For babies and toddlers during morning worship SUNDAY CLUB Stories, activities and fun for children aged 3 years + Sundays 10.00am in the church hall YOUTH GROUP Games, fun and fellowship for young people aged 11+ Sundays 6.30-8.30pm in the church hall

Home Groups The church runs a large number of home groups and 'class meetings' for adults of all ages, providing an opportunity to get to know others better and to explore the Christian faith together in an informal setting These include: CORNERSTONE An informal meeting for Bible study, discussion, prayer and socialising - largely for those who try to 'juggle family, job and leisure time' in a way that is true to the Christian faith. Meets in homes on alternate Thursday evenings ALPHA PLUS Follow-on groups for those who have completed the Alpha course and wish to explore things further PARENT AND CHILD FELLOWSHIP An informal opportunity for parents with young children to meet together in a home setting Meets alternate Thursdays 10.00-11.30am

Social and fellowship activities CAMEO 'Come and Meet Each Other' - a varied programme of social, informative and devotional meetings Alternate Mondays 8.00pm in the church hall KNARESBOROUGH METHODIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP A weekly devotional and social meeting Tuesdays at 2.00pm in the church hall WALKING GROUP Walks of 3-4 miles monthly on Wednesday mornings (10.00am) plus lunch. April-September walks are on evenings fortnightly (6.30pm). Walks of 6-7 miles monthly on Saturdays. COFFEE STOP Call in for a cup of coffee and a chat Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am in the church hall TABLE TOPS Enjoy a friendly game of table tennis Thursdays 10.00am-12noon in the church hall MEN'S BREAKFAST Cooked breakfast and a speaker (8.45-10.00am) first Saturday in the month in the church hall

Serving the wider world Members of the church serve others both locally and further afield in a variety of ways including: LUNCH LINK A cooked meal for senior citizens every Tuesday at 12.30pm in the church hall CHURCHES TOGETHER IN KNARESBOROUGH Gracious Street is involved in regular joint initiatives with other churches in the town MISSION IN BRITAIN Supporting a variety of social caring and outreach work both through local charities such as St Michael's Hospice and through the Methodist Church nationally WORK OVERSEAS The church supports Methodist world mission and relief work as well as a World Vision project in Zimbabwe and other agencies such as Christian Aid, United Nations Children's Fund, Leprosy Mission, Fair Trade and Traidcraft