What to expect on a Sunday Morning
This page should give you a feel for what to expect if you visit us on a Sunday morning. We are now getting used to all the features of our refurbished church, following the recent Building Project.
What should I wear?
Whatever you feel comfortable wearing. Look at the photographs on the site and you will see most people in casual clothes, with a few ties on display but almost no hats! But it you like hats, wear one. Dress up if you wish for special occasions or not if you don’t.
What is there for my children?
Your children may stay with you, but there are separate programmes for:
- Under 3 year olds – Crèche (for 10.30 service)
- 3 and 4 year olds – Sparklers *
- 5 to 11 year olds – Kidzone *
- School years 7-9 – TWL *
- Youth * (School years 10-13) stay in church with the rest of us on Sunday mornings.
[* Organised programmes run during school term times only. Youth / TWL have a separate summer programme. Younger children are encouraged into church during the holidays, but 5-11 year olds can leave for some form of supervised activity mid way thorugh the second service.]
We follow Diocese guidelines in our child protection policy, which includes carrying out CRB checks on adults who work with children.
Will you ask me for money?
Not directly! There are no collections passed around* in church. Look at the page on giving if you would like to, which is aimed at members rather than visitors to St Peter’s.
[* Other than exceptionally in circumstances like a major disaster or the Remembrance Day Service]
What goes on in a service?
Notices (for those who don’t read the website!), music and singing (louder and more lively at the second service), a reading from the Bible, teaching (a short talk from the front) on the relevance of that reading to us and prayers said aloud or silently. There may also be drama and special services for baptisms and Holy Communion from time to time.
Services are not just rituals and we do attend with an expectation of the unexpected! At this point, it is hard to keep the website language neutral and avoid using some Christian jargon.
Since July 2008, in particular, we have seen some very special things happening in church. We believe that this is an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, in which we have seen people healed from physical, spiritual and emotional problems. Some of the outward signs of this may seem strange in our reserved British culture. However, as a very conservative (with a small 'c') Brit, I would encourage everyone to look beyond what they see people doing and find out for themselves what God is doing.
Some of you may have seen something similar happening on God TV, broadcast from Lakeland, Florida. If you're uncertain about this, you may like to read what the Evangelical Alliance had to say on the subject. BUt we would say, "Seek God, whilst he may be found."
Do I have to do anything during the service?
Join in or observe until you are comfortable. We tell you when to stand up and sit down, so you won’t get caught out! Do talk to one of the leaders if you don't understand what is happening.
What happens afterwards?
There is a chance to talk to people over a cup of coffee, tea or squash (all free) in the adjacent hall and an opportunity to give us your details at our Welcome Desk*. Do introduce yourself to someone. There is also someone on hand after each service if you want someone to pray with you.
The creche, for children too young to go to Sparklers, is staffed by a team of vetted volunteers, on a rota organised by Anne Hassell. It usually meets in the Old Vicarage (ask for directions). You may leave your child there before the 10.30 service starts or at any time during the service as you or your child wish. Children are entertained, rocked to sleep or generally looked after. Should your child become distressed, one of the helpers will come and discreetly call you out of the service, so you can rest assured that all is well if you have not been called!
