Church Activities
    


There are many events staged at the church that are open to the public such as concerts, exhibitions, fêtes and bazaars. Those who attend the church, whether or not as members, are welcome at many church social activities that are held throughout the year. An event dairy is published in the church magazine, "The Messenger", available monthly in the church vestibule.

Concerts

Informal
Most Sundays in the afternoon the organ will be played by one of our organists as visitors explore the building, before enjoying tea and cake in the café downstairs.

Formal
There are a series of formal concerts for which a small admission is charged, usually £3 to £7 depending upon the concert with concessions as appropriate. These concerts include Organ concerts, sometimes of more classical works and sometimes of lighter and popular works, and occasionally mixed. There are occasional brass band concerts. At Easter on Good Friday the choir will usually be presenting a choral work such as Olivet to Calvery or Fauré's requiem or similar.

The Church organ built by Peter Conacher and Co and renovated by Michael Fletcher, director of church music and an organ builder, has three manuals with a total of sixty stops.


Exhibitions

Photographic or art exhibitions are held in the church on an occasional basis, sometimes in coincidence with an outside activity such as the annual church fête.

Pankake Party

Once a year there is a pancake party when we get together and enjoy some pancakes. Pancake day is a tradition that dates a long way back. The idea is to use up your luxury commodities and enjoy a good meal before you enter the period of Lent before Easter when we are encouraged to give up some things that we enjoy and if possible pass the savings on to those with greater need.

The Annual Church Fête in progress


Fêtes and Bazaars

There is an annual fête held in the church grounds each year. This is a popular event enjoyed by all that attend either working on a stall or just come to enjoy it. Bazaars are held on a Saturday morning in Shipley Library on a six monthly basis. Fêtes and bazaars raise money towards the church activities, the building and its mission. They are usually highly enjoyable to be involved in. (We try and arrange for no rain!)

Photographic Evening

Each autumn we have an evening when we get together to look at each other's photos in a competition. The set subjects vary each year and it is more about sharing out photos than fierce competition. There is a slide show or similar and sometimes a photo quiz in the evening. Some good refreshments are an essential part of the event.

Treasure Hunt

An annual treasure hunt is always a popular event. A short walk with a set of questions requiring the observation of the walkers cumulates in Christian fellowship with good refreshments at a member’s home. The punishment for winning the event is that you have to stage the event the next year!

Church Outing

The church hires a coach and has a family outing on a yearly basis. This is usually to a tourist attraction in or around Yorkshire. Fun for all ages is on the agenda and Fish and chips en route home is on the menu.

Church Walks

Monthly walks are arranged by members. They provide an opportunity to get to know other members and talk! Walks are chosen to be suitable for a wide range of physical ability. They generally finish in a members house for tea and cake.

Church weekend away

There is also a weekend away, recently at a Christian run hotel in Scarborough in the early Autumn. This combines the opportunity for fellowship, worship and visiting the local area for family enjoyment.

Bell Ringing

As one of the two United Reformed Churches in England with a ring of bells, we have a regular practice night for ringing on Mondays (at 7:00 p.m.) when visitng ringers are welcome. Bells are rung for Sunday service and for special occasions. The ringers are a fellowship of church members, local Saltaire villagers and ringing members from adjacent Church of England churches.
A helping hand on a damp walk in Summer 2004.
 
The ring of bells on display shortly before being installed in the tower. August 2003


Fellowship meals

Throughout the year there are occasional meals when the church meets together and has a meal together and share in fellowship. These can be meals booked at a local restaurant at moderate cost or be "faith" meals when everyone turns up and perhaps brings something to share. There is usually too much to eat in the latter case!