Open to the Community
It’s said we have fuzzy edges, and we’re proud to be part of a vibrant local community.
Our Justice Environment and Peace Group (JPEG) meets regularly to look at social justice and environmental issues on behalf of the whole church, but of course many people are involved with other organisations individually. Some of the things we’re involved in:
REinspired
This brilliant organisation which has offices in our church building is all about building relationships between churches and schools. With an ecumenical team, including lots of volunteers from St Nicolas, REinspired deliver the Christian part of the RE curriculum in a fun and engaging way. Locally, we work with all our primary schools and Maiden Erlegh secondary academy. Click here to find out more about REinspired.
Food Poverty in the UK – Harvest Collections and Foodbanks
At Harvest Festival, the people of St Nicolas and local school children donate non- perishable food (about 2 van loads!) which we take to Churches in Reading Drop In Centre (CIRDIC) for people who are homeless and or in need Churches in Reading Women’s Centre (CIRWC) who provide a local support network for women of all ages to meet, relax and enjoy themselves as well as a safe place where women are accepted and valued regardless of age, ethnicity or faith.
You can leave donations for Woodley Foodbank in the church lobby. Click here for information there about how to get help from the foodbank.
Just one of the car boots full of harvest donations
Community Garden
We have a community garden developed after the completion of the St Nicolas Centre, bringing members of the church together with those in the community who enjoy gardening together.
The church garden has been a community effort with help from conservation volunteers and local families
The children particularly enjoyed harvesting the vegetables from the community garden
Outward Giving
Each year we donate a lump sum, our “outward giving” to two local organisations and endeavour to find out more and learn from them. Our Local Outward Giving Partners for 2016 are Communicare and Reading Street Pastors.
The Christian Aid tea was a huge success with church and community alike
Noah and his Ark joined in the Earley scarecrow trail in 2018
