If you’re thinking of joining us, that’s great, we’d love to welcome you. We have no dress code, please come as you feel comfortable. Some wear jeans and t shirt, some choose to wear more formal attire, it’s entirely up to you.

We have a fairly informal and contemporary service, with a mixture of old and new songs.

Our Sunday service starts at 10:30. There will be people to welcome you at the front door from 10am.

If you arrive late, there might not be someone at the door, but please still come in and join us.

Our main service is held upstairs. As you enter turn to your left and you will see the stairs or a small lift for those with mobility issues.

If you use the lift you will come out in a small foyer at the back of the church, next to the sound desk.

If you come up the stairs, you will find someone at the top to welcome you.

Once in the church, please sit anywhere you would like to.

If you have babies and toddlers, they are very welcome in our main service, where you are of course welcome to feed them. However, if you would prefer a more private space, or if they need more space to play, there is a crèche room (straight ahead from the top of the stairs). This room is only staffed upon request, so please do let one of the welcomers or a deacon (wearing a badge) know if you would like someone to look after your child while you take part in the service. (There is a comfortable chair for feeding in the corner not visible in this picture). Please ensure children are supervised at all times, and children over 5 should not play in the crèche, to keep it a safe space for little ones.

Older children might like to borrow a busy bag and take it to play with at their seat, or sit with some of the other children at the front where there is a table with some craft materials.

Our service is quite informal. During the worship, some people like to wave flags sometimes, feel free to come to the front and take a flag if you would like to join in.

During the worship we take up our offering. This is taken in small bags which are passed around (usually by some of the children and young people). You are under no obligation to give. The money given is used for the work of the church. Many regular members give to the church via standing order rather than bringing in money.

The children usually go down to have fun in their separate age groups about half an hour in. If you have children please ask and someone will help you get them to the right group. You will need to let us know about any allergies or special needs and fill out a consent form for your child. If your child does have additional needs and you would feel more comfortable speaking to us beforehand, please do give us a ring or email Rachael. You can of course just turn up without contacting us. We have a number of neurodivergent children and adults worshipping with us, and will endeavour to ensure your child settles in well, depending on the needs of your child, we may ask you to remain with them during children’s work, if for example your child requires a 1:1, or just for a transition period until they are ready to be left.

There is then a sermon and prayers, potentially some more sung worship, before the children return to share what they’ve been learning.

On the first Sunday of the month we take Communion together, usually near the middle of the service. Gluten free bread is passed around which we eat as we receive it. Then individual cups of grape juice (no alcohol) are passed around, which we hold onto until everyone has a cup, then we all drink together.

On the third Sunday of every month we have our “all in” service, where the children stay in the service for the whole time instead of going to their groups. This service is more informal and includes games and more active participation than a regular service.

For months with a fifth Sunday, the children also stay in church. This gives the children’s workers a week off from service. During these weeks the structure is slightly more informal, but not quite as interactive as a family service. So there will still be a sermon, though it is shorter and more accessible.

After a final blessing, tea, coffee and biscuits are served downstairs, we would like to encourage you to take this opportunity to get to know some people by joining us. If you find the tea and coffee room a little loud, there is a smaller, quieter room further through.

On the first Sunday of the month we bring our lunches to eat together after the service. Everyone is very welcome to join us. After lunch we play board games, more modern ones such as Catan, Carcassonne, Azul, or more traditional such as dominoes or Scrabble. People bring their own games, or you can borrow someone else’s, just please look after them and ensure all of the parts go back into the boxes and the games are returned to the side for the owner to take them home at the end.

Summary:

1st Sunday – Children’s groups downstairs during sermon, Communion, children return upstairs at end of service to share what they’ve done, tea and coffee, lunch (bring your own), board games till 4.

2nd Sunday – Children’s groups downstairs during sermon, children return upstairs at end of service to share what they’ve done, tea and coffee.

3rd Sunday – All in – our all age, family service with games, object lessons, no formal sermon, tea and coffee

4th Sunday – Children’s groups downstairs during sermon, children return upstairs at end of service to share what they’ve done, tea and coffee.

5th Sunday – Children stay in the service – toys and craft materials available, slightly shorter sermon.

School holidays – during some holiday weeks children remain in the service with their parents.