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. Events of interest to congregations from all the churches, open meetings, take place throughout the year. One such meeting, entitled 'Our Churches and Our Community' was held at St James’s in 2019. This conveyed a lot of information about community chaplaincy, refugees and SPEAR.
There are services like 'Taize' services and 'Songs of Praise', with favourite hymns chosen by a representative from each of the churches. The 'World Day of Prayer' service is traditionally held on the first Friday in March, with participation from all the churches. It is written by women from a different country each year and used all over the world on the same day.
Clergy from the member churches are on a rota for services at Laurel Dene and Marling Court and they always appreciate it when others can join them. Hot cross buns have been handed out to morning commuters at Hampton and Fulwell railway stations on the Tuesday in Holy Week. Services of shared worship are hosted by the different member churches and there is often an outdoor witness at Easter or Christmas.
Find out more
The History of Churches Together around Hampton
Annual Parochial Church Meeting Reports (these documents contain the annual reports of the various church teams or groups associated with St James's Church. Scroll down the document of the year you are interested in to find the report you want)
Churches Together Around Hampton (external website)
Contact
Ann Peterken on 020 8891 5862