"But I've never been in church before"

Contrary to popular belief, our church is not full of dragons, ogres, etc. However, we understand that it might be a little daunting for those who have never been inside before.

To make it easier, this page gives you some idea of what to expect. There are also some pictures of the church and church activity here.

If you are still nervous after reading this, contact the Church Office and we will arrange for someone to meet you and show you around.

To begin with, you need to know where we are. Click here for directions and parking information.

You can enter through either the main door (A on the picture) or the new glass link (B). Those with pushchairs, prams, and mobility difficulties tend to prefer the link entrance because the main entrance has several steps leading up to it.

If you are coming to something other than a church service, Click here.

Most morning services last about 70 minutes or a little longer if communion is involved. Evening services are less pressured for time and their length varies more, typically between 60 and 90 minutes. If you need to leave during a service, no-one will complain if you slip out discreetly.

You can sit either upstairs or downstairs although evening services usually occupy downstairs only. The most comfortable chairs are downstairs but some prefer to sit upstairs because they feel less conspicuous or because (like me) they are usually late!
If you want to listen using the induction loop (fed from the PA system for those with hearing difficulties) you will find it works best if you sit downstairs.
The seating on the sides of the balcony is less popular because it can sometimes be difficult to see everything that is going on.

The belief that God looks more favourably upon those who sit in the middle of a row rather than at the end is not explicitly supported by the Bible but rather was started by frustrated stewards who were trying to fit more people into the building. It does, however, have a long history, especially in Britain.

If you have children with you they can either sit with you or join many other children, usually at the front downstairs. During most Sunday morning services the children leave for their own activities part way through. However, if you prefer to keep your children with you or they would rather not go, no-one will force them to.

when you come into the building, someone will greet you at the door and usually offer you a copy of the weekly notices. Occasionally they may give you a second sheet showing the order of service.

You can usually sit on any vacant seat unless it has a notice on it specifically saying it is reserved. Any books you may need such as song books or service books will be in the pocket of the seat in front of you (for those downstairs) or given to you with the notices (for those upstairs). Increasingly, words for the songs are being projected onto a screen at the front.

If you are not sure what to do, just follow everyone else or, if you prefer, you can just remain seated throughout the service. You are under no obligation to join in any of the singing or even to like the music. We know we don't all have the same musical tastes and we don't expect you to either.

You are not expected to contribute to the work of the church (that's our responsibility) so don't feel embarrased to pass the collection plate on without putting anything in it. Many church members contribute directly through their bank accounts so you won't be the only one just passing the plate on.

After the Sunday morning services, tea and coffee are served in the church hall. Rather than give directions it is easier to say "just follow the crowds!"

Should you need the "facilities", toilets can be found downstairs at the back of the church near the main entrance, in the upstairs link area, downstairs by the entrance to the Sandgate Room or in the downstairs link area near the kitchen. The last of these also has baby changing facilities and a shower.

For meetings other than church services it is usually best to use the link entrance (B) because it contains a board indicating where your meeting or activity is taking place. There are often several happening at the same time. You wouldn't want to come to a nice quiet prayer meeting and end up in Friday Youth Club. (Take it from me.) Or the reverse. (Take it from them!)

Links to other pages