Babies and children of all ages are very welcome! We do not currently have a Sunday school or creche, but children are welcome to play with the toys in the church. Our Messy Church happens a few times a year and is popular with young families. 

 

Please feel free to wear whatever you are comfortable in. Some of us like to dress up a bit on a Sunday, while others are more casual. 

 

The Eucharist begins at 10am. If you can, aim to arrive around 10-20 minutes beforehand, so you can be welcomed by a member of our team, collect your service sheet or booklet with all the words you’ll need, find your seat and have some quiet time before the service begins. But if you’re running late, don’t let it stop you coming -you’ll be very welcome! 

 

If it’s not included in the service sheet, follow someone in front! If you have difficulties standing, please feel free to remain seated. . 

 

There are four main parts to the service: 

 

The Gathering – a minister welcomes us and we share in prayers of preparation, confession and receiving God’s forgiveness, praise, and the Collect ‘prayer of the day.’

 

The Liturgy of the Word – we hear from the Bible and hear a sermon from one of the clergy or Readers. This is usually based on one of the Bible readings and helps us understand the Bible and connect it with our lives. A member of the congregation then leads our prayers for the church and the world. 

 

The Liturgy of the Sacrament – we share the peace and then the priest leading the service says special prayers over bread and wine, so that they become for us the body and the blood of Jesus. All baptised Christians are welcome to share in the bread and wine. When invited to come to the altar by a churchwarden, if you hold out your hands you will be given the bread (an individual wafer). If you would like to receive a blessing instead, please come up holding your service sheet in your hands. Young children will receive a blessing, as we like to offer some preparation before they receive communion from around the age of 7. 

 

The Dismissal – we usually hear a few notices with news and events coming up. Sometimes, a member of the congregation has been asked in advance to share with us what they will be doing this time tomorrow, so we can get to know each other and pray for what we are doing in the week. God’s blessing is pronounced over us and we are usually sent out with the words ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.’ 

 

The Eucharist usually finishes around 11.15am. 

 

Yes – our clergy are available for a chat at the end of the service. They can also arrange a time for a longer conversation if you’d like some listening support, or if you’d like to discover more about the Christian faith. 

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service.