There are many social opportunities at St Thomas's. These range from the energetic (barn dances, the "Oakwood Open" pitch & putt) to the sedentary (Bridge club, craft, musical entertainments). You could get involved in Sport - such as an annual cricket match, held in early September, and occasional football knockabouts, or more seasonal events like a family Pancake Party or Harvest Supper.

Bezalel's Buddies - a card-stamping craft session, meets on the first Saturday of every month, in the Guide Hut.

Some events are a mixture of social and serious - we enjoy regular "Mens' Breakfasts" at which a guest speaker will talk about the impact of his faith on his life and work, and more awareness of our Missionaries is often generated by a themed meal or party.

The MU is an international anglican organisation with something over 3 million members. Our Branch recently closed, but members continue as Deanery members and try to take part in both local, Diocesan national and international initiatives. Locally, there are numerous opportunities for helping with creches and serving teas - this may seem to fit a stereotype, but fulfills a vital role in the life and work of the church! The regular monthly meeting - the third Thursday of the month, at 2.30 - continues as a Thursday Fellowship, for men and women, with a speaker, and MU members attend this and other occasional meetings they organise in their homes.

What does the MU stand for?

The Aim of the Mothers' Union is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life.

The Objects of the MU are:

To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding;

To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the church;

To maintain a world-wide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service;

To promote conditions in society favourable to stable famiy life and the protection of children;

To help those whose family life has met with adversity.

For further details about the MU, take the following links:

The Mothers' Union national web-site

The London Diocese MU web-site

We welcome James Murray, who has recently taken over as our Director of Music.

Choir and music group

Our combined adult and childrens' choirs help lead the worship every Sunday at the main morning service, and work towards other special events. The childrens' practice is from 6.15-7.15pm on Fridays with additional training for smaller groups after the main Sunday service. The adults practise from 7.30-9.30 on Fridays.

The organ is a fine instrument. For those with a technical interest, follow this link for the specification.

One regular special event is the Good Friday augmented choir, which welcomes temporary members to perform a devotional work. In recent years we have enjoyed Stainer's "Crucifixion", Handel's "Messiah", and Bach's "Matthew Passion".

Additional musicians (drummers, violinists, flautists, guitarists, solo voices...etc) regularly join the keyboard to help lead the contemporary songs in our services.

Soul Conviction

The organ was dedicated on 24th May 1970 by the Archdeacon of Hampstead and opened with a recital on the 11th June by Richard Popplewell, director of Music at St Michael’s Cornhill in the City of London, and a well known recitalist.

A small gallery was constructed over the first bay of the north aisle to accommodate the organ console. It has had a thorough overhaul in 2002.