Adult Education

Tiddler Imps

For the “just walking”. Thursdays 1.152.15pm and 2.303.30pm and Fridays 1.302.30pm at Taylor Road Rooms. Contact: Rachel Baker, Tel: 640696 for further details. www.impscreativity.co.uk

Toddler Imps

A group where parents and toddlers can explore an exciting range of activities each week (e.g. jelly pool, walking wellies through paint). There are two sessions meeting every Tuesday morning in term time, from 9.45am to 10.45am and also 11.00am to 12 noon, at the United Reformed Church Hall. Ring Rachel Baker 640696 for further details. www.impscreativity.co.uk

Other Pre-School Information Early Years Helpline: 01603 222300.

Adult Education

To find out about courses running in your area call us on 0344 800 8020 or visit our website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/adulteducation

Creative Way Art Tuition, Photography Tuition and Mindful Creativity Coaching

Free your creativity through personalised, One to One Art or Photography Tuition, Creativity Coaching and Art and Meditation sessions with Art Teacher, Artist and Creativity Coach Zangmo Alexander MA Fine Art PGCE. Explore all art media and themes of personal interest. Sessions at times to suit you, pay as you go. Everyone is welcome, from beginner to advanced. GCSE and A Level Art and Photography Tuition also available. For more information: phone Zangmo on 897393 or go to www.creativewayart.com

Local Faith Groups

The Christian Churches of Diss

In Roman times there was a local Christian community revealed by archaeological discoveries in the 1980’s which uncovered burials in a Christian manner. A Roman style memorial was placed over some excavated Roman remains reinterred in Scole Churchyard. The local Christian witness has continued through Saxon, Norman, Medieval times, through to the present day. The active Christian churches of the town, some large with choirs, organs and bands, and some small and contemplative, all meet to worship God in their own tradition and style. These churches support full time ministers and lay workers and many have links with, and support churches in, faraway parts of the world. However grand, modern or impressive church buildings are, the real Christian church in Diss is the people who meet together, to worship God and serve the needs of others. The varied activities are shown in each church section and activities range from preschool playgroups, to groups for the retired, as well as fellowship and exploring the Christian faith. All the local churches welcome newcomers, including those who may just be on the start of their own spiritual journey. Many interchurch friendships have been formed through Diss and Roydon Christian Churches Together. On Good Friday local Christians meet at the Mere’s Mouth and following a short service, silently walk to St Mary’s Parish Church for an ecumenical service. Christian Aid lunches are held around local churches during Lent and enable local people to meet informally and support such a worthwhile cause. The Diss and Roydon Christian Churches Together, support the Waveney Foodbank and can provide emergency assistance in desperate situations through “Common Purse”, in conjunction with Diss CAB. Practical and prayer support is offered to those with special needs such as illness, bereavement and times of personal crisis. Each Christian church in Diss has an open invitation to partake of this valuable facility, which is freely available.

St. Henry Morse Roman Catholic Church

The church of St Henry Morse is located at the north end of Shelfanger Road and backs onto Diss Cemetery with a pedestrian access. Mass times are Saturday 6pm and Sunday 9am. Details of weekday Mass times and other activities are available on our website. www.sthenrymorse.com. The Parish Priest can be contacted via phone on 642914

or by email: parishpriest@holytrinitydiss.plus.com

Diss Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Part of the Diss Team Ministry. The Team Office is situated in St Mary’s Hall next to the church and is open Monday – Friday 9.00am to 12 noon. Telephone: 643783 Email: administrator@dissteamministry.org.uk

Sunday Services: 8am Eucharist 10.00am Sung Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong

Weekday Services: 8.30am Morning Prayer from Monday to Friday 5pm Evening Prayer Monday to Thursday Wednesday 10.30am Said Eucharist Arrangements for Baptisms, Weddings and Calling of Banns of Marriage to be made through the Office. Confessions by arrangement.

Regular Groups Monday evening at 7.30pm Bell Ringers in the Tower Tuesday 9.30am Edward Bear Club in the Hall Tuesday 5.30pm Silent Prayer in the Hall Thursday 8.15pm Choir practice Friday 9.30am Coffee morning in Hall Friday 10.00am till 12 noon Waveney Foodbank in Hall (07484 394749) The Rector: The Revd Canon Tony Billett 642072 The Vicar: The Revd John Cruse 641259 The Curate: The Revd Samuel Thorp 07506 474538 Assistant Priest: The Revd Maggie Swayze: 644701

Society of Friends (Quakers)

Meetings for worship open to all. Held in the Friend’s Meeting House, Frenze Road Diss. Meetings at 10.30am on Sundays. Clerk to the meeting Peter Sorrell Tel: 650601. Warden/caretaker John Titley 0787312805

Diss Baptist Church, Denmark Street, Diss

Sunday services 10.45am morning service with crèche and Sunday school 6.30pm evening service Tuesday morning 10.30am – 12 noon Ladies bible study and prayer meeting Wednesday Coffee morning 10am12 noon Wednesday after school children’s club JAM 3.305pm, School years reception –year 6 Wednesday evening bible study/prayer meeting 7.30 – 9pm Thursday morning Mums and Tots 10.00am– 12 noon

Thursday 3.30 – 5pm JAM+ after school club School years 6 – 8 Friday evening Basement club school years 9 – 13 78.30pm First Monday every month Ladies’ Friends and Neighbours’ 7.309pm Supporting The Waveney Food Bank and the Taylor Road Community.

Diss United Reformed Church

A busy Church serving the community of Diss and surrounding areas, in active partnership with the Methodist Church nearby. Sunday Services: 4th Sunday of the month at 10.45am. All other worship services at Diss Methodist Church, Victoria Road. We run: Bible Study every 3rd Thursday of the month, 1.303pm Tuesday Fellowship in partnership with the Methodist Church, every Tuesday at 2.15pm at the Methodist Church The Dove Dementia Cafe every 1st Wednesday of the month 10am1pm Dove Song. every 3rd Monday of the month at 1.30pm for people recovering from strokes, those living with Parkinsons or dementia, and their carers, or anyone whose lungs need some exercise! Led by a qualified music therapist. Dove Cafe Church. every first Monday of the month at 1.30pm. A short informal church service with traditional hymns, prayer and reflection. Particularly suitable for those with dementia and their carers but open to all. We have a large range of community activities run by members of the town who hire out the premises. Please see our website for all details of the above and contact details: dissurc.org.uk

Diss Methodist Church Victoria Road Diss

We offer a warm welcome to all. The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church worship together. Public Worship Sunday: 9.30am (with modern worship songs), 10.45am (fourth Sunday at URC in Mere St) and 6.30pm with Junior Church during morning worship. Tuesday Fellowship 2.15pm (weekly) – with a mixed programme which may include a speaker, games, singing etc. plus refreshments and a chance to chat. Thursday: Bible Exploration – 1.303pm (on the third Thursday of the month at the U.R.C in Mere Street). Minister: the Revd. David Ely, Superintendent Minister of the Thetford,

Diss and Mildenhall Circuit, Tel. 642791. Hire of rooms contact Miss G. Brown, Tel: 651512 (answerphone) The phone is not picked up until the caller announces themselves, or email brown-gillian2@sky.com Light lunches are served on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 12noon to 1.15 pm. (not during Lent). Profits for charity. Leaflet of activities and other users of the building is available at the church or from Miss Brown. For more information visit the church website at www.dissmethodistchurch.org.uk

Diss Salvation Army Community Church Sunnyside Diss

The Salvation Army is an international Christian Church working in over 120 countries worldwide. The local church now shares an officer (minister) with Beccles, but is a place of worship in an informal setting with a brass band and choir. Following the Sunday services, refreshments are served to which all are welcome. Whilst focusing on bible teaching the church also serves the local community.

Contact details are http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ang/diss diss@www.facebook.com/DissSalvationAr myCommunityChurch diss@salvationarmy.org.uk

Denmark Street Gospel Hall

Meetings on Sundays: Breaking of Bread at 11am and gospel service on the first, third and fifth Sunday at 6.30pm. Prayer meeting and Bible study at 6.30pm on Wednesdays. For further details please contact the Secretary Mr J. Leftley, Tel: 308377 or jandm@leftley.com Eddy Kerridge 308597.

The Hope Church Vinces Road

Our Sunday service starts at 10.00am and includes music, media presentations, messages that tackle the questions of everyday life and great activities for youth and children. As a true community church we are involved in many initiatives to reach out to local communities with Community Works — our furniture project helping people in need; and The Lounge a place where people can drop in to find support with everyday life situations. We are the main distributor for Waveney Foodbank. During the week we offer a wide range of activities around our excellent facilities: Parent & Toddlers; Children's and Youth activities; Sports clubs to name a few. Check out our website for details. Tel: 644223, email: office@wearehopechurch.net, website: www.wearehopechurch.net

Music Praise and Worship

For over ten years services have been held locally, and for the last few years, by kind permission, local people meet at Diss Methodist Church on the first Sunday of each month. Light refreshments are served before the informal service featuring local musicians and singers. The group is ecumenical and all are welcome, particularly those who enjoy fellowship and may not be attached to any church. For further information kindly phone 07707617018.

The Parish Church of St Remigius, Roydon

Part of the Diss Team Ministry Sunday Services: 11am 1st and 3rd Sunday is Morning Prayer, 2nd and 4th Sunday is Holy Communion Doughnut Church: 3.305pm in the Parish Room held every last Saturday of the month.

Other Religious Groups:

Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall Gilray Road Diss IP22 3EU Meetings Sunday 10am public talk / Watchtower study: Thursday 7pm Midweek Meeting. Contact Mr Simon Bolton. Tel: 07827669497