The Tab in the Community
The Rodborough Tabernacle has played a central role in Rodborough since its foundation back in 1739. Although it has changed to meet the needs of the people who live in Rodborough and roundabout over the years, the Tab remains a cornerstone of the community.
The Tab is principally a place where we come close to God. All are welcome, without any preconditions.
Allied to this central purpose of worship, the Tab maintains its tradition of relevance to the people living around. As people's mobility has changed with improved personal transport, so the distance that people come to join in activities at the Tab has increased. On this page you will see some of the ways in which the Tab reaches out to the people in and around Rodborough.
Special services
The Tab is always happy to open its doors to groups and families who want to celebrate something particularly joyous or important to them. We have been pleased to share nativity services at Christmas with Gastrells School and with Rodborough Playgroup.
Services to celebrate weddings (including same sex weddings), funerals and similar events can all be arranged by contacting the Minister. He will be pleased to welcome you to the Tab and to discuss all of the practical aspects of the service.
Wednesday Fellowship
On the third Wednesday of each month the Fellowship opens its doors to anyone who wishes to come and join in. Although the meetings are held at the Tab, they are open meetings - that is, varied talks with guest speakers, slide or video presentations, or demonstrations. They commence briefly with a hymn and prayers, then the rest of the hour is handed over to the speaker.
The subjects are always interesting, and often have a very Gloucestershire flavour.
If you want to hear about joining the Wednesday Fellowship, or would like to help, please contact the Minister.
Local charities supported by Tab members
Allsorts, a local charity based in Stroud that is positive about disability and the opportunities that there are for children with additional needs to have fun and try new things. They look for positive opportunities for work and life skills for their older members. This charity is a particular favourite of our younger people.
Kingscourt Educational Charity, set up by the Tab with some funds from the sale of the old Kingscourt School, to promote Education in its widest sense for people living in the parish of Rodborough. For details of grants or about the charity, contact Jenny Wills, its secretary on 01453 763984.
Marah, is a Christian charitable organisation committed to supporting vulnerable and marginalised adults in the Stroud District, helping them to move on from their addictions and circumstances. You can contact them through their website at www.marah.org.uk.
Stroud District Foodbank, established with the goal to end poverty in our local community. The Basics Bank was set up by a network of Churches from across the Stroud District who were motivated by their Christian faith to support people in our communities who face crisis.
Many church members are also involved with this: some donate food and other domestic items or money on a regular basis, others help to distribute the food.
Community groups that meet at the Tab
2nd Rodborough Scouts
The Scouts, Cubs and Beavers meet each week during school terms in the Scout Hall beneath the Little Chapel on Tabernacle Walk.For more information, contact Martyn Weaver on 01453 872672.
Anomaly
This small, Christian contemporary music group rehearses at the Tab at 8:00 each Tuesday.The group participates in worship in the Tab and various churches in the Stroud District. It has released several CDs and supports many charitable causes. For more information contact John Cook on 01453 766732.
Cappella Singers
One of Gloucestershire’s premier chamber choirs, they sing music from many different periods and in diverse styles, usually unaccompanied but occasionally with instrumental or orchestral accompaniment.
The choir meets each Wednesday at 7:30 pm. For more information about the Cappella Singers, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cappellasingers.
Rodborough Playgroup
Our friendly neighbourhood playgroup has been run at the Tab by parents for parents for more than forty years. The first playgroup to meet was set up by the church in 1961. Although the current group is independent and led by a committee of parents, it still has close and friendly links with the church.
For more information about the group, contact its leader on email playleader@rodboroughplaygroup.co.uk.
Rodborough Scrabble Club
Devotees of Scrabble, one of the world's toughest board games, meet each Sunday evening at the Tab to pit their skills against each other. The rumour is that cake sometimes features! For more information about joining the group, contact kim Richardson on 01453 750179.
Special Needs Dance Group
Each Friday, a group of disabled people of all ages meet to experience the uplifting power of dance and music. To find out more about the group, contact Chrissie Grice on 07814 01198.
Tiny Talk
Each Tuesday, classes are held for babies where an experienced instructor teaches children and their parents to communicate using elementary signing. Find out more at www.facebook.com/tinytalksouthglos.
Twins Group
Each month, an NCT group of parents and their twin children meet to give mutual support and exchange experiences about the challenges and joys of bringing up more than one child of the same age. They can be contacted at stroudtwinsgroup@hotmail.com.
Yoga
Each Thursday evening, yoga classes are held for beginners. The classes are open to all. More details at www.helixyoga.co.uk/classes.