St Leonard's Church, Beoley
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Serving the communities of Abbey Park, Beoley and Church Hill
St Leonard's Church
Serving the people of Beoley, Church Hill and Abbey Park
Groups
Here, everyone is welcome, valued,
and loved by God and each other
as we explore faith and prayer together.
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of groups where people come together to talk about faith, ask questions, and grow in their journey with God. Some are short-term courses linked to seasons like Advent or Lent, or shaped around a sermon series or Bible study. Others are designed for those just beginning to explore Christianity—spaces to ask honest questions without pressure or judgment. We also offer opportunities to go deeper for those wanting to stretch their understanding and commitment. Whatever stage you're at, there’s a place for you. These groups are relaxed, welcoming, and rooted in the belief that we learn best when we learn together. Contact us for more information about any of our courses.
Enquiry Course
If you’re new to church, curious about faith, or simply wondering what Christianity is all about, the Start course is a great place to begin. Over six relaxed sessions, we explore big questions about life and faith using short, engaging videos and friendly group discussion. There’s no pressure, no jargon, and no need to have any background knowledge—just a chance to chat, reflect, and be yourself. With down-to-earth stories and space to ask honest questions, Start helps you explore what following Jesus might look like in everyday life. It’s enjoyable, welcoming, and truly starts from scratch.
Being With
Being With is a course for anyone wanting to explore faith more deeply—whether you’ve been part of church for years or are simply feeling drawn to go further. Developed by St Martin-in-the-Fields, it invites us into thoughtful conversation about life, faith, and what it means to be with God, with ourselves, and with others. Over ten weeks, we meet in a small group to share, reflect, and listen—without pressure or easy answers. Being With isn’t about gaining more knowledge, but about growing in relationship, wonder, and openness. It’s a safe space for those who long to journey deeper into faith in a real and honest way.
Lent
Each year, we offer a Lent course that helps us pause and reflect as we journey towards Easter. The theme changes—one year we might explore a book of the Bible, another year we might focus on creation care, poverty, prayer, or a justice issue. Whatever the theme, our Lent journey is an opportunity to go deeper in faith, to ask honest questions, and to grow in community with others. Lent invites us to slow down, to be intentional, and to make space for God in our everyday lives. Whether you're new to faith or have been on the journey for years, there's something rich and renewing about walking through Lent together.
Advent
Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Each year, we offer a course or gathering that helps us enter into this time with greater intention. The theme might vary—from exploring the characters of the nativity story, to looking at hope and light in dark places, to reflecting on how we live out our faith in the everyday. Taking time during Advent to reflect, pray, and learn with others helps us to slow down in a busy season and reconnect with the deeper meaning of Christmas. It’s a gentle, hope-filled way to begin the church’s new year.
Inclusive Church
This year, in between our seasonal discipleship sessions, we’ve been exploring what it means to be an Inclusive Church. These conversations are part of a wider journey as we reflect on how we can truly become a more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community—where everyone feels they belong, just as they are.
We believe that inclusion is not a special project or a one-off statement, but a core part of what it means to follow the way of Jesus. It means listening to voices we may not always hear, learning from different experiences and perspectives, and being honest about the barriers—visible or invisible—that may keep people from feeling at home in our worship and community life.
Our exploration includes thinking about disability, race, gender, sexuality, mental health, poverty, and more. It’s about shaping a church culture that reflects the radical welcome of Christ, where difference is not just accepted but celebrated as part of the richness of God’s creation.
This work matters because it reflects our commitment to becoming a church where love, justice, and hospitality are at the heart of all we do. It’s a journey—and we won’t always get it right—but we believe it’s one worth walking together.