Charity No. 1202973
You are more than welcome to join us any Sunday. If you're not sure what to expect when you come, here are the answers to some FAQs:
On a Sunday morning, we hold two services back-to-back. For the EARLIER service, please arrive at church for a prompt 9.30am start-time. For the LATER service please come at any point from 10.30am for free refreshments in the church hall...then head through to the church when the later service begins at 11.15am.(Groups for children and young people will be run during the later service only.)
All kinds! From babies and children through to teenagers and grown-ups...single, married couples, parents, grandparents...you can be sure that you'll find others in your age-group! In general, we are ordinary everyday people; we don't claim to be perfect or unique; we just love being part of our church family.
Whatever makes you feel comfortable. There is no dress code...just come as you are. You will find some people dressed very casually; others enjoy the opportunity to dress up a little - feel free to choose whatever's appropriate for you.
Everything is FREE...you won't be asked to part with any money that you don't want to! Every week we invite people to make a financial gift to the ministry and mission of the church if they would like to, as part of their worship. Some do. And some don't. No one has to.
YES - please do! After the first quarter of an hour (so at about 10.30am), children and teenagers are invited to join one of two groups for the remaining hour. For pre-school and primary-aged children we run a group in the church hall, called Lighthouse. Lighthouse is NOT a "Sunday School"...we don't try to teach children Christianity. Instead, our goal is to create a space where children can be church as children. We help and encourage them to play, to worship, to pray, to think about the truths of the Bible, and to enjoy some yummy snacks. For secondary-aged young people, we run an older group called Youthscape which is a very chilled-out, informal, discussion-based group that meets in the front lounge of a church member's house, 3 minutes walk down the road. So if it's cold, bring a coat!!
We would expect ALL pre-school and primary-aged children to be accompanied by a responsible grown-up (parent or carer). On their FIRST Sunday with us, ALL under 18s will need a parent or carer to complete a registration form, giving consent for them to attend their group, as well as any relevant medical history and some emergency contact information.
All leaders and helpers within Lighthouse and Youthscape will have been responsibly recruited and appropriately trained, in accordance with our safeguarding policy. All leaders and helpers will have provided a valid DBS certificate as part of their recruitment.
The service will last about an hour and a quarter. Everything will be clearly explained and introduced from the front. The words to any hymns/songs that we sing, or prayers that we use, will be clearly displayed on the overhead screen. We will sing a mixture of older, traditional hymns as well as some newer, more modern choruses. If you want to clap, you may clap. If you don't, then you don't have to. If you want to wave your arms in the air - or if you want to stand with your hands in your pockets - whatever feels appropriate and authentic to you, you are welcome to do!
On the third Sunday of every month we share some bread and juice together as our way of remembering Jesus' body and blood. If you know and love Jesus as your Lord, then you are welcome to receive communion with us by joining in with this part of the service. If you would rather not, then feel free just to leave it. That will be fine too.