Churches Together around Hampton (CTAH)

St James’s Church is a member of Churches Together around Hampton (CTAH) which is part of the wider Churches Together in England (CTIE). The latter came into existence in 1990 to bring together different Christian denominations at the local level. For the first time there was a body representing a wide range of churches: Anglican, Black-led, Free Churches, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, as well as many smaller churches.

Nine churches belong to Churches Together around Hampton - two Roman Catholic, four Anglican, one Baptist, one Methodist and one United Reformed Church - each enjoying their own tradition, but also seeking to work together.

Clergy from the member churches meet together several times during the year. Forum meetings, with lay representatives from the churches, are sometimes arranged and there is an AGM once a year.

Shared activities include the distribution of hot cross buns to commuters in Holy Week and street collections during Christian Aid Week. Services of shared worship are hosted by the different member churches and there is often an outdoor witness at Easter or Christmas.

Clergy from all the member churches are on a rota for services at Laurel Dene and Marling Court and they always appreciate it when others can go along with them.

Following the AGM at All Saints Church in January 2018, there was a beautiful Songs of Praise service with favourite hymns chosen by a representative from each of the churches. Everyone spoke so well about the reasons for their choice and it was a very special time of shared worship to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Women’s World Day of Prayer is held on the first Friday of March. The order of service is devised by women from a particular country and is used throughout the world on the same day. The March 2018 service was compiled by women in Suriname and had a very innovative focus on environmental concerns. The service is held in one of the CTAH churches (St Richard’s in 2018), with active participation from all the churches. 

Find out more

Churches Together Around Hampton (external website)

Contact

Ann Peterken on 020 8891 5862