While the social groups below have their origins in the Church community, they all come with an open invitation - please bring a friend if you would like to, and you can expect a warm welcome. For more information, please contact the Parish Office on 020 8943 2262 or enquiries@teddingtonparish.org or use the specific email address for a group if provided.
A purely social group, open to all, which meets locally and regularly for coffee and lunch (usually on or near the High Street), as well as holding a Zoom gathering for those who like to join us from home.
These meet-ups provide an opportunity to spend time together in a relaxed setting. Anyone is welcome to attend any of the events, and bring along a friend or two if you would like to. It is a great chance to make new friends.
Contact the parish office to book your seat for the High Street meets up, or for the Zoom details: 020 8943 2262 or enquiries@teddingtonparish.org
Plain and Pearl is a friendly, social and inclusive group interested in knitting, crocheting and other crafts. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings of the month, at St Mary’s Parish Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and enjoyment from making things.
Throughout the year, there are a number of planned crafty and fun activities - some must be pre-booked - including knitting masterclasses, mending, embroidery, candle making workshops and craft material swaps. Click here for the full listing, or contact Josie on plainandpearl@gmail.com for more information.
A small friendly group which meets in church from 10-11am every Thursday to keep the church spick and span with sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning the brass and silver. Then all those that can, go on for a coffee and a chat afterwards. All newcomers and offers of help very welcome, either on a permanent or ad hoc basis. Come along on the day.
A group which takes a leisurely, friendly walk each month, to enjoy good company and fellowship. Taking on new trails each year, walking about 7-10km on the first Saturday of each month. It’s a great way to explore Greater London and its surprisingly large number of green spaces, to see new and hidden areas.
Contact the Parish office to be added to the WhatsApp group, to see the meet up times and locations.
Sustainability is important to this parish and will only grow in importance. In late 2020, driven by the growing awareness of the impacts of climate change and the need to better care for our community and the natural world, a Sustainability Group was formed. Running Supper Talks around sustainability-focused topics, forming a sustainability book club, hosting Sustainability Festivals, as well as 'Recycle, Reuse, Regift' events in our Parish Hall.
If you’d like to volunteer to support the group, have questions, or ideas for events please contact sustainability@teddingtonparish.org. You can follow us for updates on Instagram and on Twitter.
The First Wednesday group holds informal discussion meetings, usually exploring topical events or subjects from a church-based angle, on the first Wednesday of most months - the clue to each exact date is in the name. The Group meets round a table over a bring-your-own packed lunch from 12.45-2.15pm in the Mina Hogan room of the Parish Hall (Langham Road).
Each meeting’s topic for discussion is chosen in advance and then advertised via email, pew sheet, parish newsletter and ebulletin, which helps to provoke informed and thoughtful contributions. The group is friendly, non-confrontational and non-judgmental. All are welcome, particularly newcomers to the area, of any faith or none. The aim is to exchange ideas, inform ourselves and make friends, rather than finally to solve a problem or decide an issue. Fairtrade tea and coffee are provided. No booking is necessary.
The churchyard has not had a new burial for some 100 years and many graves are clearly untended. Several years ago, Teddington Parish launched a scheme where people could adopt a grave or graves and look after them.
Around 100 graves have already been 'adopted'. Please contact Alexandra Ruffer if you would like to join the scheme or would like to know more: alex@teddingtonparish.org.
Reading and reflecting on the first half of the Book of Acts - tracing the fortunes of Jesus’s disciples as they spread the Gospel and build the early church, and embark with Paul on his first mission.
The sessions are held via zoom on Wednesday at 8-9.30pm and you are welcome to join one or all. Please contact sarah@teddingtonparish.org for more information.
Meeting every other month with a brief to help the local church and community actively respond to the issues of racism and diversity with which the Church and society are currently grappling, and to keep learning as one of the most important ways to respond is to educate ourselves.
With events like supper talks, film nights and book discussions that are open to all, and a list of resources, including books, articles and TV programmes which have been useful in increasing understanding of the issues.
Please follow this link to read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy: St Mary with St Alban's EDI Policy v2.7.
If you would like to join all or some of the meetings please contact the parish office for the details.
The Award-winning Teddington Community Café remains open every Monday afternoon at 1.30-4.30pm, including Bank Holidays. Why not come along to the Peter & Paul Centre on Church Road in Teddington to enjoy a warm welcome, a chance to chat, quality hot and cold drinks and delicious home-made cakes?
The café is there for everyone but, particularly appeals to those who feel isolated or anxious as a place where they can find sanctuary, enjoy a friendly chat and find out about local community activities and services. Initiated by Teddington Parish, in partnership with local NHS Primary Care Networks and disability charities, Ruils and Richmond Aid, the café hosts local social prescribers and their clients too..
Please email communitycafe@teddingtonparish.org for more information.
The Memory Café runs on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 1.30-3.00pm at the Peter & Paul Centre. If you are living with memory problems, care for someone who is, or just enjoy a good chat, please come along, no need to book.
The Café offers an informal, friendly atmosphere, a warm welcome, free tea and coffee, and delicious cakes. With activities like a sing-a-long or a light-hearted quiz. If you need any more information, or are interested in volunteering at the Memory Café, please message Trish at enquiries@teddingtonparish.org.
The churchyard of St Mary with St Alban is a beautiful oasis for both people and wildlife, with quite a history and a number of interesting trees. It is used by many people on a daily basis as a pleasurable alternative to walking along the pavement.
Although the Council mow the grass and clear the leaves it needs more care and attention, so we have a group of interested volunteers who do some gardening in support of the community as a whole. Detailed gardening knowledge is not required at all, just enthusiasm and energy will be helpful in working on a pre-arranged plan of tidying the churchyard and keeping it looking more attractive.
If you are interested, contact robin@teddingtonparish.org for further information.
For three series a year, each of six sessions, this group meets to discuss the works of Thomas Traherne (1633-74) and his contemporaries such as Henry Vaughan, George Herbert and John Dunne. The first session of a series always focuses on a work by Traherne himself and the last session often comprises a sharing of our own pastiches of Traherne poetry, prose or our memoirs.
The sessions take place on Thursdays at 1.15-2.45pm in the Mina Hogan Room and are typically held in January to February, April to May and September to October.
