Why we do what we do on Sundays
Why do we come in at the back of the church?
Though our main entrance is at the front and this was how the building was first designed, most guests and occasional visitors, such as at baptism, tend to come a bit later than the regulars. This therefore causes less embarrassment and disturbance once the service has begun. We would dearly love to have a ramp at the back of the church for our many wheelchair users.
Why do we reserve the back rows until 10.30am
Again because guests tend to come late, finding a seat or having to walk further into the body of the people can be embarrassing. Of course we would love our regulars to fill up from the front, rather than is common in most places, to fill up from the back.
Why do we not take up an offering during the service?
We do bring our offering forward to be given thanks for, but we don’t take up the collection so to speak. This is again to avoid the embarrassment to guests of fumbling for change when the offering is sometimes not announced and to remind ourselves that it is the responsibility of the committed membership of the church to provide for most of our needs.
Why do we have a lot of variety in our services and our monthly pattern?
We simply recognise that we are all different, and if every service was the same each week as is often the case in other churches, only those who like that type of service would come. Because of the size of our church family it is only practical at present to have the one service each Sunday and therefore this has to meet many needs, especially catering for children who are of equal importance to us.
We have developed a 9am reflective communion on the first Sunday of the month when we have our All Age, which can sometimes be our noisiest service.
Why do we have a great variety of musical styles?
Again because we all have different tastes. There are only two types of music, in fact only two types of everything. Music you like, and music you don’t like. A Christian response is to know that when it is not your cup of tea someone else is blessed.
Why do we move the furniture around and have the chairs in different arrangements?
The simplest answer is because we can. We are blessed by not having fixed pews and our buildings are as flexible as they can be, so let’s celebrate this and use it to the full.
Why do we do Communion in different ways with slightly different liturgies?
Again because we like to have variety, to keep things fresh and not get stuck into repetition which can sometimes create complacency and dead tradionalism.
Why do we offer communion to everyone?
Though we see the Lord’s supper as sacred and very special, we believe it is His supper and the invitation comes from Him and not us. If we hold out our hands to God, God will fill them and he longs for all to share in his feast at the level of understanding we each have.
Why do we give communion to children before Confirmation?
This is not just because our Diocese allows us to, but because children are full members of God’s family and equal in every way.
Why do we have a children’s chalice?
We appreciate that children may not like the taste of the wine, or their parents would rather they had some juice instead. It also shows that they are special.
Why do we print the Bible reading in our Notice sheet?
Because most folk no longer bring their Bible with them. We want everyone to be able to follow the reading for themselves and to take something of the Word of God away with them each week.
Why does the style of teaching vary?
We live in a very different world with different attention spans and jazzy TV. We also believe that the teaching comes throughout the whole service and not just the so called Sermon slot.
Why does coffee come half way through the Service?
This is a fun way to appreciate that everything is worship. Relaxing and chatting together is as important as praising and praying, and it’s a great time to pray for one another as well.
Why do we try and not catch people out with words that they may not be familiar with?
Again we are here to welcome guests in our home. It is so easy to feel an outsider, especially when someone says ‘and we will now say the grace’, or ends prayers with ‘Merciful Father . . .’ So we will draw your attention to where you can find a response or a prayer so that we can all pray together.
What bits of a traditional Anglican service do we keep in?
We always offer a time of Confession even if this may be silent, we pray the Collect and the Lord’s prayer, and have a form of Affirmation and intercessions.