Worship lies at the heart of who we are and what we do. It is where we meet God, together. Sunday by Sunday and week by week we believe we are growing to become the Jesus-Shaped People God is calling us to be. Holy Communion has a special place in our worship. Here, as we listen to and ponder the Scriptures, and share bread and wine, we encounter the grace and love of God. From this we are inspired and strengthened to live out our Christian faith in daily life, in the way we reach out and serve our neigbour.
Sunday Worship
8.00am. Holy Communion (said). This monthly first Sunday in the month service is suspended while the Parish is in vacancy.
9.15am. Holy Communion with hymns. We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday of ther year! On first Sundays in the month we call it 'Worship Together Communion' and the service is more interactive, intergenerational, less formal and shorter in length. Parents whose children have been christened the previous month are welcomed in a special slot in the service where they receive the gift of a picture for their child's bedroom wall plus their baptism certificate.
We hope our worship is joyful and accessible and that the welcome we offer is warm and friendly. Everyone is invited to come to the altar to receive a blessing or the bread and wine of communion. Members of the congregation contribute to worship in a variety of ways, including reading, praying and assisting with Communion.
We have a comfortable Children’s Area on the left hand side of the church for pre-school children and their parents. During the first part of the service there is a Creche in the choir vestry for young children accompanied by a parent..
Sunday Club meets twice a month in the upper vestry and is for Primary School age children. This, too meets during the first part of the 9.15am. Age appropriate teaching and activities are on offer, using Godly Play material.
Baptisms/Christenings
During the vacancy these will be taking place on a Sunday morning at 11.30am. Please arrange a date by contacting Rev. Canon Diane Cookson on 01606 513807/07900 995674 or via achurchnearyou messaging. Couples are invited to bring their children to be introduced to the congregation on the first Sunday of the month 'Worship Together Communion Service' of the following month.
Midweek Services
Communion
There is a half hour Communion Service (said), in the Holy Cross Chapel at 12 noon on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (except in December). During Lent this becomes weekly
Praise and Play
St . Helen's 'Praise and Play' meets weekly in term time for pre-school children and their parents or carers, on a Friday between 9.30 am - 11.00 am. ‘Praise & Play’ begins with child-friendly, interactive worship around the altar. Everyone sings, listens to a story and says prayers. The morning continues with a themed craft activity, drink, snack, chat and play. And it’s free.