For more than 18 years a group of men have continued to meet in the St. Nicolas Church Room at 7.45am on the third Saturday of each month with the exception of July and August. We aim for a 9.00am sharp finish to ensure those having other activities that day can get to them.

We are well fed by David Wall, do not increase our waistlines and still only pay £1.00 per meeting, mindful of the need to be financially self-sufficient. The Christmas meal, a ‘Full English’ breakfast cooked by David King, is still a highlight as we bring spouses along for a Buck’s Fizz start to the proceedings, enjoy the chance of a chat, a joke or two and a thought for the day before the men load the dishwasher and depart to help with the Christmas shopping!

The Membership, once only five has increased to fourteen, twelve from St. Nicolas and two from Bookham Baptist. The average attendance is 9 and it is interesting to recall there has been the occasional lapse (of memory?) as to time or date, but that those absent have always called in, so enabling us to keep track of each other.

The membership crosses ecumenical boundaries with regular Baptist supervision to ensure sound theology and that we are on the right track! A list given to all members details who is leading the discussion and those who (no opt out!) are to set up the tables and have the tea ready on our arrival.

Our objectives? Growing a confident faith, developing friendship and fellowship, discussing current topics impacting on our Christian faith that we would not normally be able to consider in depth elsewhere, the challenge of their impact on our lives and our response.

Discussion Subjects, chosen by the one giving a 10-minute talk followed by discussion are required to be topical, of general interest and given at 8.30am sharp.

Parish magazine articles this year on Genetics, Mass murder, Sterilisation, Sectioning, Fair Trade, Big Bang? Glory of War and other topics confirm we have exercised our ‘grey matter’ on a variety of challenging subjects led by a different member each month.

Hey, You! Yes, you! New members are very welcome; you have only to contact David Wall (374773) to ensure an adequate meal on arrival. Dates are on the Notice Board, in Notes and News and the Parish magazine!

Bill Taylor 457595