Walks

There is a long tradition of members and friends walking together in the countryside or to different and more unusual places in London.  The walks may take place on a Bank Holiday or at other times of the year.  There is usually a pub‑stop at lunch time, and a number of people who cannot manage the walk meet up at the pub for lunch and fellowship.  Details are always posted on the Foyer and Mayo Hall notice‑boards well in advance of the walk.  Also check out the KURC monthly calendar.

Dancing

Thursdays: Line dancing 19.30 to 21.30 in the Mayo Hall.  £5 per session including refreshments.  Line dancing is less complex than ballroom dancing and has the enormous advantage of dancers not needing a partner.  Our classes are led by Pauline, a fully qualified instructor,who also runs several other line dancing classes locally.  For all line dancing sessions, please check the KURC monthly calendar; or contact Denise Scorer.

Fridays: 'Dancing with Lyn' is a ballroom and Latin dancing class that has been running for several years.  Under the guidance of Linda Haynes it continues to give our dancing group much pleasure.  Do come and join us to watch or dance!

Music

We use a variety of styles of music in our worship.

We have an organ, and a Schimmel grand piano (played here by Elia Stavrou); and at some services an electronic keyboard is used to accompany hymns and songs.   We have a number of people who play other instruments to contribute to our worship, and our band usually plays at the 11.30 service.  Recorded music is used from time to time both for listening and to accompany singing.

The acoustic qualities of our Sanctuary are particularly good for music, and we have a regular programme of recitals and concerts given by our own members and visiting groups.  You can find details here of our next event.

Choir

You are welcome to join the choir, whatever your previous experience and whether or not you can read music.

The choir has about 30 members and we usually sing together on the 2nd Sunday of the month at the 10:30 service which usually begins with two songs which may be lively and upbeat or more meditative and which also reflect the diversity within our church's congregation and to stand in solidarity with Christians around the world.

We tackle traditional hymns as well as more modern worship songs.   We also sing for special services such as Carols by Candlelight and Easter Day.

There are two rehearsals on the weekend we sing and extra practices ahead of special services. We have a lot of fun during practices but also push ourselves to learn, improving our vocal technique and expanding our capabilities in terms of repertoire. Singing together during a service is a wonderful, unifying experience for both choir and congregation as we worship in the spirit of God.

In 2019 we were excited to sing in a mass choir as part of the Free Church Choirs Festival at Guildford Cathedral, where all the music was around the theme of Creation.

The organ

(Click on the image to hear a perfomance by Han Sol Kang)

Our fine three-manual pipe organ has a history reaching back to Victorian times.

The Choir manual with its woodwind registers, the Swell, and the Great with all its traditional rich sounds, plus its wide variety of stops with pre-set piston controls, make for a very rewarding instrument to play and accompany choral singing.

The organ was built in 1871 by Bevington and Sons of London, for £350.  It was hand-pumped, and was installed in the large gallery of the Congregational Church of the time.  Robert Slater and Son of Forest Gate rebuilt the Bevington organ in 1920 and 1929 including moving it from the gallery to be placed in 'a chamber specially built for its reception' in the north east corner of the sanctuary (where it stands today).  Morgan and Smith of Hove made further substantial alterations in 1960 and 1977.  The National Pipe Organ Register gives the specification of the organ but the historical detail is at variance with the church records.  Amendments to the NPOR are pending.

When the church was refurbished in 1976/7, the organ was divided between the two sites it occupies today. The main organ (Swell, Great and Pedal divisions) is in the main case and the Choir organ and one Pedal rank of pipes on the opposite side of the Sanctuary.   The re-organised instrument was 'reopened' on 1 July 1977.   This was a revelation in sound!   The removal of the large gallery, heavy carpets and raked wooden floor left a space with a resonant acoustic which makes the Sanctuary now a delightful venue for choral, instrumental and organ music.

Since 2005 the organ has been tuned and maintained by F H Browne of Canterbury.

Here are some more recordings, made on this organ:

• March 2018: the fugue from Liszt's Prelude and Fugue on BACH.  The organist is Si Yeong Kim, MMus FLCM.
• November 2019: Gigout's Toccata Organist: Han Sol Kang
• November 2019: J S Bach's Trio Sonata no.6 (first mvt), BWV 530 Organist: Han Sol Kang

A pie and a pint!

The group meets monthly in a local pub.  We have lunch and a chat together.  Contact: Vaughan James.

International Friendship Café

Thursdays 19.30: We usually meet in the Foyer in the Richard Mayo Centre.  We are a small group that welcomes people who have little chance to practise English conversation.  Over a light meal we talk about English culture, our families and theirs, about Kingston, faith, world affairs and whatever seems helpful.  If you know anyone who might benefit, do make contact with Rev Dr Suk-In Lee or just turn up.

Jolly Toddlers

On Monday mornings, from 10.00 until 12.00, in the freedom of the Mayo Hall, parents and carers of around 60 small children bring their toddlers and babies to play with a huge variety of toys large and small.
The adults have the chance to relax a little from their caring role, and to share their news and concerns with other mums, dads and carers.   Drinks are served and there is music and sometimes craft activity.   70 children are enrolled and sessions are staffed from a rota of about 20 volunteers.  

For further information contact: Ray Erskine 020 8286 9370

Messy Church

Messy Church runs once a month on Sunday afternoons, but not always on the same Sunday each month.
We usually meet at Kingston United Reformed Church or at the manse in Surbiton from 15.00-17.30.

Each month we have a different theme while learning about a Bible story or verse.   We hope that the programme and format will appeal to all ages, (including some items of interest for the adults) and that the boys will love it as much as the girls!

We are building our timetable for 2022, with online and live events to come!  Please watch this space!

Month	Date	Messy Church does....
February	20	(The Manse)
March	20	(The Manse)
April	15	(Good Friday 1-3pm Church)
May	22	(The Manse)
June	6	(Church)

For further information contact our Children, Youth and Families Worker.  

Tots' Praise

On Wednesdays from 10.00-12.00 in term time.  This is a chance for little ones up to 4 years old to begin to engage with the Bible and learn about God.  There will be half an hour of action songs, an interactive story and prayer followed by a chance for adults to chat over coffee and cake whilst the children play with the toys provided.  This activity is FREE but we welcome offers to provide cake on a rota basis.  

For further information contact our Children, Youth and Families Worker.  

Crafternoons

Drop in anytime between 2-5pm. Cost £3 per family or person if they don't come with family. Includes refreshments and art materials.

Expect a session where you can learn or practice a skill and enjoy good company. Suitable for school age children and adults, with or without children! People who think they are not 'arty/crafty' will be made especially welcome and you can always come just for a cuppa!

We meet on the third Saturday of the month except for April.  So the dates for this term are....

January 21st - Let's Print
February 25th - Paper folding
March 18th - A ‘lush’ afternoon
April 15th - Glass/ceramic painting
May 20th - Pressed flower art
June 17th - Winter watercolours!
July 15th - Stencilling fun
August 19th - Sun, sea and sand
September 20th - MacMillan tea and cake
October 21st - Wood Art
November 18th - A Recycled Christmas
December16th - Summer is a coming!!!

For further information contact our Children, Youth and Families Worker.  

Nature Walks

Join us for a walk and to wonder at nature.

We meet at 3pm on Sundays and finish by 5pm. Locations vary so watch this space.  Upcoming dates are....

Sunday 10th July ('pond dipping')
Sunday 7th August
Sunday 4th September
Sunday 9th October
Sunday 6th November
Sunday 4th December

For further information contact our Children, Youth and Families Worker.