We are currently trying to work with a pretty loose and flexible structure. We have tried to create space where we once used to plan worship. In this anyone in Grace is welcome to suggest an idea for an activity or group and get it going. The way to do this is to talk to one of us and then e-mail us or come along to a planning meeting where it can be talked about. These groups should fit within the ethos of Grace. Group may be too strong a term - in some cases it is more like a small project and may only have one or two people involved. The groups will be light touch and meet for a season.

Groups

Contemplative service - We shall have a time of led meditation at St. Mary's on the first Sunday of each month at 8pm. There will be guidance leading to a time of silence using readings, prayers, music or images. We shall explore different ways of contemplation - different ways to help us to become still in God's presence. Everyone is welcome. To spend time together in contemplation can create a depth of silence in which our busy thoughts and lives can be stilled. We may feel close to God during this time, or we may not. We are not asking for, or expecting, anything. What matters is that we are placing ourselves before God, giving this time wholly to him, to use as he wills - knowing that his love surrounds us always. This is a joint service with St Mary's church. - lead person Anna

Technology and video - lead person Mark

In the past year we have had groups to organise the following

Holy Ground - we hosted the art installation Holy Ground with artist Paul Hobbs. The group planned, publicised and organised the event - lead person Mike

Mind body spirit festival - We booked a stand at the London mind body spirit festival from May 24-29 2006. We booked it under the name dekhomai which sounds suitably mysterious and means welcoming the stranger or the welcoming place in Greek. The stand was only 2mx2m so we only had room for say 3 people on it at any one time. But what we hoped to do is get a team of people together of about 15 people who can take it on as a project. Some people were just available for a day or two. We are did this in partnership with some others in London. The initial inspiration came from Sanctus 1 who have been involved in this way in mission at the mind body spirit festival at Manchester the last two years. There is an article on it at emergingchurch.info". They have bought a stand at the festival and offered prayer, small rituals, and a listening ear. - lead person Jonny

Lent courses - St Marys church offers a series of lent courses each year. Two Grace members offered courses as part of that last year. Anna is ran one on the return of the prodigal son - contemplation and prayer based on Henri Nouwen's book. Jenny ran one on justice exploring how to live in an unequal world - lead persons Anna, Jenny

Arocha labyrinth - we were invited to help Arocha to think about developing a labyrinth in a park in Southall. Arocha are involved in an artistic sense in their Living Waterways project based in Southall and Hayes and the work at the Minet Country Park. At this years Minet festival which took place in the park in Springfield Road, Hayes on Saturday June 17th they hoped to begin the process of creating a labyrinth for the Minet Park. and asked if we'd like to help - lead person Jonny