Our Groups
Who, When and Where
Social and recreational activities
Badminton Club
The Church Badminton Club meets every Wednesday evening starting at 7.45pm and finishing around 10pm. The Club has been established for over 10 years and we are a mixed ability group with players whose ages range from 16 to 70+.
As well as providing us with plenty of exercise, the badminton evenings also give us the opportunity to have plenty of fun and laughter and enjoy some good company. If you are interested and would like some further information please contact Rob Macdonald.
Benfleet Methodist Wives Club
We meet every Tuesday afternoon in the Welcome Area of Benfleet Methodist Church at 1.45pm during term time. We commence with refreshments and Notices followed by a speaker for approx. 45mins finishing at 3pm.
We try to have a varied programme of speakers from various charities, talks on interesting subjects from travel to Environmental Health and club afternoons with music, discussions or a quiz. We have a Cream Tea each year to help raise funds for our chosen charity, and sometimes arrange outings. In November each year we fill shoe-boxes with gifts for children for Operation Christian Child.
We are a friendly group giving fellowship and support to each other and will warmly welcome any ladies who wish to join us.
Craft Group
Originally a group that worked on the magnificent tapestries depicting the history of Benfleet Methodist Church that are now on display in the corridor at the side of the Church, this group meets each Monday between 10.00 am and 12 noon in the Welcome Area.
A wide range of craft activities is on offer from needlework to card-making, to jewellery and soft toys. New members welcome to join the group for “A Stitch in Time”.
Ladies Thursday Club
Designed for ladies to meet for social recreation with speakers, quizzes and other activities.
We meet once a month on the first Thursday from 7.30 pm in the Welcome Area. It is a lively and friendly group who welcome new members or visitors.
Trefoil
The Trefoil Guild is part of the Girl Guide Association, but you do not have to have been a member to join us. We are ‘Benfleet District Trefoil Guild’ and meet on the second Monday of each month at Benfleet Methodist Church from 2.30. We have a varied programme including speakers, outings and supporting the Girl Guide Association in the area.
Wesley Art Group
We are a group of amateur artists who enjoy learning and practicing painting and other arts activities, and we meet on Monday evenings in Wesley Hall from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
From time to time we have speakers who demonstrate specific aspects of our craft. New members will be warmly welcomed – just come along any Monday evening or contact Sophia Rawlinson.
Women’s Fellowship
This is a fellowship group for older ladies that meets alternate Wednesday afternoons at the Church with speakers and devotional activities. New members are always welcome.
Children and Young People activities
Fusion Plus
This is a youth group for year 7 and above that meets on Friday evening from 7.00pm to 8.30pm.
The activities include sports, craft, and recreational activities all geared to the young people who are approaching their teens.
Membership to this group is restricted, so if interested contact:
Fusion Youth and Kids
A group for children years 3 to 6 on a Friday evening from 6.00pm to 7.30pm for games, sport, craft and other recreational activities. There is also a time for some reflection – ‘thought for the day’ type activity relevant to the children without being too deep.
Membership to this group is restricted, so if interested contact:
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
Whether your daughter wants to join Rainbows (5-7), Brownies (7-10), or Guides (10-14) her Girl guiding journey can start here.
Here at Benfleet Methodist church we have the 2nd South Benfleet Rainbow unit, 1st South Benfleet Brownie unit, 7th South Benfleet Brownies and 2nd South Benfleet Guide unit. They all meet once a week during term time.
You can start your daughters Guiding journey by registering her interest on the Girl guiding website.
Adventure, fun and friendship starts here.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/
How registration works
- Register your interest – you’ll be asked for your contact details and a few key pieces of information about your daughter.
- Choose the best unit for you – we’ll use your details to suggest several local units. Then it’s up to you to select the most convenient one. You can choose up to three location preferences.
- We’ll get in touch – someone from your chosen unit will contact you, usually within three weeks. They can explain to you about meetings times, costs, what’s planned for the term and if there’s a waiting list.
- Try guiding out – if spaces are available, the unit will arrange a trial meeting for your daughter to attend. This gives you and her an idea of what guiding is all about – we’re sure you will love it!
Wesley Pre-School
Wesley Preschool meets each day during term time and is fully accredited with Ofsted. For further information please visit their website
The Ministry of Hospitality and Welcoming
Catering Team
Our catering team prepare and serve cooked meals throughout the year, from our 5 Star rated kitchen, to the Church and local community.
These include monthly Sunday and Tuesday lunches (details elsewhere), Saturday morning breakfasts, occasional fund raising dinners and lunches, All-Day breakfasts at the Bazaar and a full traditional Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
Monday lunch group
Starting from an idea some five years ago to open up the Welcome Area for people to come in out of the cold and save their heating at home, a Monday lunch group has developed with volunteers who do the cooking and provide a simple snack/lunch but also provide some company.
It is open every Monday from 12 noon to 2.00 pm, including Bank Holidays when there is a Fish and Chips lunch. Any further information please contact Marie Howard.
Sunday lunches
A traditional Sunday lunch is on offer from the Church on the second Sunday each month – normally a proper home-cooked Sunday Dinner, reasonably priced and full of goodness. Booking is required and lists are on the Notice Boards in the Church.
On the third Sunday of each month a Sunday lunch is provided by the CAVS group – again a proper traditional Sunday dinner, well priced and delicious. Booking is required.
Tuesday lunch
An informal lunch on the third Tuesday of each month held in the Welcome Area. Very reasonably priced home-cooked lunch – no booking is required, just come along from 12.30 pm. You would be welcome to come to the “light worship” service before starting at 12 noon which lasts for about 25 minutes.
“Food for the spirit and food for the body.”
Community activities on the premises
Headway
Brain injury charity
www.headwayessex.org.uk
Music Man
Music Therapy for people with learning disabilities
https://themusicmaproject.com
OACS
Adult Counselling Service
www.oacs.org.uk
U3A Badminton
Monday and Thursday afternoons
Contact Rob Gray – mrgoldbury@hotmail.com
Urban Edge Theatre School
Theatrical Arts for children 5 to 18
www.urbanedgetheatrescool.co.uk
Yardarm Folk Orchestra
For folk musicians
www.yardwarm.btck.co.uk
Benfleet Operatic Society
Choral music and musical entertainment
www.benop.org.uk
Kumon
Maths tutoring and English lessons
www.kumon.co.uk/benfleet