The Elders meet regularly to ensure that the spiritual life of the Church is maintained and that special items for discussion and ratification are brought to the Church Meeting of members which is held quarterly.
Three management groups meet regularly to offer all members and friends the opportunity to bring forward ideas and suggestions for the future of the Church, in an informal setting. Each has designated Elders but no group has authority to act without consent of either the Elders' or Church Meeting except the Fabric group in certain circumstances.
Pastoral & Social meets in the comfort of a group member's home, and as its name suggests, discusses the pastoral well-being of the members. Members of the group undertake various roles in the care of those in need. Visits, flowers, cards on anniversaries of bereavements, weddings, baptisms as well as during illnesss. Ideas for social events are suggested to Elders' and Church Meetings and the group oversees the arrangements. Social evenings are held occasionally throughout the year and include performances by school bands and choirs, ensembles from the Harrogate and Skipton Music Centre or local Harrogate community bands and choirs and occasionally hosted by members.
Mission and Outreach also meets in the comfort of a member's home and its role is to highlight and suggest to Elders areas of concern in the wider church. Recipients of the Church annual charitable giving are proposed, action on concerns of wrongful abuse and imprisonment in other countries is discussed. The Church's community work in the local area is reviewed with any changes or additions brought to the Elders' Meeting.
Finance and Fabric is responsible for the sound administration of the Church's finances and maintenance of the buildings. It meets at the Church so that on-site investigations can be made if necessary. This group works within a designated budget previously agreed by Church Meeting, enabling it to have repairs and improvements carried out immediately as necessary or brought for agreement to the Church Meeting if outside the agreed budget.
Three Fellowship Groups hold meetings on a regular basis. A time of Biblical based study and prayer is included, sometimes a speaker invited to talk on a particular topic and an opportunity to share news of family and loved ones as well as the Church family.
The Seekers and the Travellers both meet on the first and third Thursday evenings each month in the homes of their respective members. Close friendships have evolved through these groups and in trying times have proved a great source of support sharing the sorrows as well as the joys that life brings. For those who prefer an afternoon meeting, the Monday Fellowship meets monthly on Monday afternoons on the Church premises from autumn through winter into spring. A wide variety of speakers brings a diversity of topics and tea is enjoyed following the talk. The meetings are open to all and a warm welcome is given to new members and visitors.
The Coffee Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and all day Saturday to provide coffee, tea and light refreshments and is an ideal opportunity 'catch up on the news' and to meet and greet the many visitors. Our location makes it a welcome stopping off point for those visiting the town to shop. When we are blessed with warm, sunny weather tables outside enable us to enjoy the beautiful gardens at the front.
All proceeds are donated to a charity chosen by members of the congregation, usually one which is dear to their heart for personal reasons. In the past we have supported Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes UK, St Michael's Hospice, McMillan Nursing care, Parkinson's Society,Martin House Children's Hospice, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Mercy Ships, Motivation, Open Country. Our current charity is Barnardo's.