OK, so I read your mind! You think this page is a sneaky way of trying to get you to give your hard earned cash to the Church. Well, admittedly further down there are suggestions of how you may do just that, but I hope you will continue reading to see how 'GIVE and TAKE' applies just as much to a church family as it does to members of a normal loving family.

Since it was opened in 1897, St Mark's has been the centre for the community. (The picture shows laying the foundation stone in 1896.) I hear you say that many people are not religious and are not bothered about churches. Even assuming they do not want the church for the odd baptism, wedding or funeral, for 100 years many have made use of the Henley Community Hall for all manner of meetings, clubs and recreational activities. The Hall, built and maintained by St Mark's, has proved a valuable asset for all.

CHRISTINGLE FOR
CHILDREN'S SOCIETY

These days, the family of St. Mark's continues the tradition of supporting a wide range of charities, local, national and international.

In the past year, we have raised thousands of pounds and provided goods (such as socks, toiletries, tinned food etc.) for Framework, "opening doors to homeless and vulnerable people". Our particular concern is the Framework hostel in Sherwood Street, just a couple of streets from St. Mark's. Members of our congregation have also helped at the winter night shelter for the homeless at the Methodist Church by Water Meadows.

Other charities that have benefited from the generosity and efforts of St. Mark's family include Nottingham based Family Care, "positively shaping children's futures". Looking further afield, the Children's Society, Christian Aid and WaterAid have also received substantial donations. For Christmas 2009, the folk of St Mark's have filled 80 shoe boxes with children's gifts to be distributed around the world by Samaritan's Purse

St. Mark's is a FAIRTRADE church. This means not only do we use FAIRTRADE products wherever possible, we encourage others to seek out such goods in the supermarkets, so ensuring a fair wage for those in other lands, far worse off than ourselves. We also have our own FAIRTRADE stall at 11am in the Henley Community Hall, usually on the last Sunday of each month.

In the recently refurbished Henley Community Hall (below), St Mark's provides facilities for a Notts. County Council Youth Club, Brownies, Guides, Boys' Brigade, not forgetting our own Young Lions. If your child attends High Oakham or Sutton Road Schools, you will know that the children visit St Mark's for hands-on learning as well meeting to worship on special occasions.

An amazingly successful venture is the Thursday Indoor Car Boot Sale, with all profits going to St. Mark's Church (thousasnds of pounds a year). Its success is not just in raising money. It has become quite a social club where people enjoy passing the time of day over a cup of tea and a sandwich. Why not pop along to the Henley Community Hall one Thursday between about noon and 2pm and join the 'regulars'? It's good, but don't be in a rush!

Also every Thursday from noon to 3pm, St Mark's Church is open for you to have a look round or just enjoy some peace. Nobody will hassle you.

Get the message? Many benefit from St Mark's.
Now the bit you've all been waiting for . . . (not)

So where does all this money come from?

Well, it does NOT come from the government or the Council.

Some has been left over the years, usually in people's wills for particular purposes. The rest comes from the pockets of generous people alive and kicking now!

The Church building and the Henley Hall cost a considerable amount to maintain. The Parish Share (money paid by St. Mark's to the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham) comes to a staggering 30 000+ pounds this year.

So, yes, if you able to give, we would certainly welcome it. See on the right for suggestions.

So you're only interested in rich people?

Absolutely not! St Mark's just could not function without time given freely and willingly by all sorts of people.

Many people sing in the choir, join the serving team, read the Bible, lead the prayers, help with the flower arrangements, become a sidesperson, serve / clear up Sunday morning refreshments . . . the list seems endless.

However, many more take on all sorts of tasks which many of us are not even aware of. The box below lists some of them, but there are many, many more. For more information, please CLICK to ask a question or tell us something. We would love to hear from you