in the community

Community Services

The Church in Gillingham offers many services to our community. Here is a list of some of these services offered and where.

Addiction

The Recovery Course - joint churches course to be run starting September 2020 - covid 19 permitting (watch this space)
NA (Narcotics Anonymous)- A meeting takes place on Sunday evenings 7 pm at The Salvation Army
NA Ladies Meeting - Wednseday evenings 7pm at The Salvation Army

Children and Families

Blue Skies Kids club Friday 6.30pm -8pm The club is for school years 1-6. Third Avenue church and Community Christmas Toys for children who may not get a toy for Christmas: The Salvation Army
Christian puppet ministry, craft and tea. Second Wednesday in every month 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm at the United Reformed Church (Children must be accompanied by parent/carer)
Kidz Klub for junior-aged children. 6.15-7.30pm every Friday during termtime at St Mark’s Old Vicarage.
The Marriage Course at The Salvation Army contact Julie about the next available course
ParentTalk A course on parenting at The Salvation Army contact Julie about the next course

Debt Advice Centres and Courses

CAP Debt Centre at Gillingham Baptist Church

Drop-in Centres

Open Church, Mondays and Tuesdays 10 am - 2 pm
A Place of Welcome/ - St Augustine's Wednesdays 10 am to 12 noon.
Coffee drop-in at Lady Chapel, St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham Green, Mondays 9-11.30,
Coffee Shop at Gillingham Baptist Church: Wednesday 10 am – 12noon.
Coffee, Snack and Chat at the United Reformed Church: last Wednesday in every month, 1 pm to 2.30 pm, preceded by short time of worship.
Yarn Club at St Mark's Mondays 12-1pm
Bullet Journalling at St Mark's on Fridays 10-11am

Food Provision

Food Bank at St Mark’s (Thurs 1-3pm, Sat 10am-12noon) by referral only.
Emergency one-off food parcel from The Salvation Army, self-referral is accepted.
Emergency one-off food parcel from the vicarage of St Mary Magdalene's
Emergency one-off food parcel from King's Church Gillingham
Christmas Food Hampers for families in need from The Salvation Army.

Hobbies / Interest

Craft club Tuesday 1pm to 3pm at Third Avenue church and Community
Craft Club at The Salvation Army: Fortnightly on Thursdays 10.00am – 12.00 noon.
Craft in the Lady Chapel, St Mary Magdalene’s. Last Thursday of each month – (except August and December)
Knitting from Home for Starfish Malawi and Blythswood – contact the URC church office for details.
Nedles, Hooks and Pins at the King's Church Gillingham: Ladies Craft Group on 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 10.30-12.30

Parent and Toddler Groups

STEPS at Gillingham Baptist Church: Mondays 10-11.15
Parent and Toddler at The Salvation Army: Tuesday 10-11.30am
Parent & Toddler Group at St Mark’s Vicarage Hal for pre-school children and parent/carer, every Wednesday 1.15-2.45pm

Police Surgeries

St Mary Magdalene's church, Gillingham Green on first Monday of the month 9-11 am
St Barnabas church, Nelson Road on the first Thursday of the month 9-11 am

Preschools (Ofsted Inspected)

Kiddiwinks Monday – Friday 8.45 – 2.45 at Third Avenue Church and Community
Little Eden Preschool : Monday-Friday 9-12 and Monday-Thursday 12.30-3.30 — at the Gillingham Baptist Church on Green Street, in partnership with The Salvation Army.
St Mark’s Playgroup/Preschool – St Mark’s Vicarage Hall, 9.15-12.15 Mon – Fri. Children must be registered. Please call 01634 570489 for more information.
The Salvation Army Preschool : Monday-Friday 9-12 and Monday-Thursday 12.30-3.30

Senior Citizens

CAMEO Club at The Salvation Army : Mondays 1.30-3.45 (Doors open at 12 noon)
TEA AT 2 : You are warmly invited to share tea & cakes with friends every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 2pm: Third avenue church and Community

School Clubs

Kingsquad run by the Family Trust (Term time only):
St Mary’s Island on Wed 12.20 pm to 1.15 pm (Years 3 – 6)
Byron Primary School on Thursdays 3.15 pm to 4.30 pm (Years 2 – 6)
Woodlands Primary School on Tuesdays 3.20 to 4.20 (Years 3 – 6)

Spiritual Discovery Opportunities

4C Meetings 5pm on the 3rd sunday of each month: Rotating at Beulah, Salem, Gillingham Salvation Army, Gillingham URC A Time of Sharing and Learning about what Christians believe and our response to various topics.Mondays at 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm at Gillingham United Reformed Church – Number of sessions per topic varies. Bible Study on Wednesdays 1 pm to 2.15 pm at Gillingham United Reformed Church, except the last Wednesday in the month. The Alpha Course at St Mark’s. Call 01634 570489 for more details.
Fish and Chips and Christian Things at The Salvation Army: Wed. 7.00pm during February
Open Church at ST Mary Magdalene’s, Opportunities for quiet reflection in the church – Fridays 9-4

For People with Special Needs

Peace and Hope. For adults with special needs and their carers. Every other Wednesday from 7-9pm, St Mark’s Vicarage Hall. Please call 01634 570489 for more details.
The Music Man Project meets at The Salvation Army on Tuesdays 1.30pm -3pm for information contact Sarah Mann

Support Groups

Carers Support Group at King's Church Gillingham 11am-1pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Chrysalis Every Friday at 1pm Gentle chair exercise and relaxation. Particularly good for those  who suffer with arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic or general aches and pains. At Third Avenue Church and Community

Youth Clubs

Summit for Y7-Y9. Sundays 7.15-8.30 pm at St Mark’s Old Vicarage. Call 01634 570489 for details
1st Gillingham Boys Brigade & Girls Association meeting on Friday evenings at the Green Street Baptist church. Contact 01634 582621 for more information.