This page outlines the various activities and ministries which take place at our church and which we are engaged in.

Social Activities

CHOIR St Andrew's choir leads us in worship, but they also enjoy the social side of their activities. The choir is looking for members to swell their ranks, especially sopranos, tenors and basses. They practise weekly on Thursdays from 7.30-9pm, with a varied repertoire of traditional and modern hymns and a wide repertoire of anthems from ancient to contemporary. The ability to read music is helpful. To find out more, contact our organist and choirmaster on 0114 2215627.

NETWORK is our name for an 'umbrella' team, which organises social events, about one a month, in the afternoon or evening. Lunches, concerts, and talks are held in the church hall, along with celebrations such as very successful biennial Burns' Suppers. Speakers come from the congregation and outside. There are outdoor events including monthly walks, such as that pictured in the glorious countryside of Derbyshire. These activities allow members to participate and enjoy fellowship with each other and with friends. Income from the events supports the church and charities.

TENNIS CLUB St Andrew's Tennis Club was founded by church members and their friends in 1922. Since then, tennis has been played almost continuously on the two red championship courts. There are currently about 50 playing members, mostly adults. The club has recently joined the LTA and is hoping to redevelop in the near future. An active social programme of barbecues and tournaments takes place. Though the club maintains its links to St Andrew's, membership remains open to anyone.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL GROUP is independently run and meets on alternate Tuesdays in St Andrew’s hall. The aim is to provide friendship and fun for those who live in Broomhall including the elderly and those with time on their hands, members of local ethnic groups and any members or friends of St Andrew’s Church. In fact everyone is welcomed. The group meets once a fortnight from 2-4pm and costs £1 for tea and cake. The programme is varied and includes talks, demonstrations, handicraft sessions, parties and outings. For further information please contact 0114 236 8068.

Reaching out into the community

The BROOMHALL BREAKFAST provides a hearty cooked breakfast on Friday mornings 8-10am. Cooks, waiting staff and people to eat breakfast are always in demand.

THE SOUP WAGON is a Christian charity that provides soup and sandwiches for the homeless. St Andrew's provides a venue with financial and other support, for an increasingly successful and popular Christmas dinner.

ST ANDREWS CHILD CONTACT CENTRE.

In 1995, the Year of the Family and Community, the elders of St Andrew's committed St Andrew's in support of a Child Contact Centre. Serviced rooms and other facilities are provided as part of the church's donation to charity. The Centre opened in October 1996 after funds had been obtained to provide the materials necessary - toys, furnishings, including safety guards on the hot water radiators, and a payphone.

A Contact Centre is a place where children from split, usually divorced, families can meet the non-resident parent and siblings in secure, friendly, supported surroundings. More than 280 such Centres in the U.K. are affiliated to the National Association of Contact Centres (NACCC). In the year to March 2006, SACCC handled 245 family and 338 child attendances, all having some connection with South Yorkshire.

Only SACCC provides supported contact in South Yorkshire; three other Centres supervise contact. The Centre is staffed by a paid Co-ordinator and by trained volunteers drawn from St. Andrew's, St Mark's Anglican and Broomhill Methodist Churches, friends and students.

A CTBB WORKER WITH OLDER PEOPLE supported by all four churches is making a real difference to the lives of many older people in the area, not only members, both in their own houses and in residential homes.

SHEFFIELD CHURCHES' HOMELESSNESS FORUM is an ecumenical group of churches which supports work and projects with homeless people.

THE STARTER PACKS SCHEME functions under the auspices of Sheffield Churches' Homelessness Forum. It is run at and by members of St. Andrew's aided by members from St Mark's and Central URC. Money is raised to make up packs of essential new items (e.g. duvets and covers, cutlery and washing up bowls, loo brushes etc.) that are required to make a newly allocated empty flat a home. What is particularly appreciated is that the items are all new. In 10 years, 712 single and double packs have been distributed, helping 1,000 people. The packs are distributed through agencies working with people who are homeless.

THE SHEFFIELD EMMAUS PROJECT is financially supported by St Andrew's.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE WORKPLACE CHAPLAINCY. St Andrew's is a member of the South Yorkshire Workplace Chaplaincy (SYWC). SYWC works on behalf of the major Christian denominations to bring together the worlds of work and Christian faith. Originally the main focus was chaplaincy in the steel works, but now it is present in a range of work places. SYWC is involved in a number of issues, e.g. disability, home-working and marginal employment, striving for a more fair and just society.