Worship

If you are baptised and you usually receive Communion (the bread and wine) then you’re welcome to do so here.  If you don’t usually receive Communion, or you have no idea what we’re talking about (!), then you can come forward with everyone else at this point in the service and receive a blessing. (The priest will say a very short prayer for you, resting his/her hand on your head.) If you hold your service sheet when you come up the priest will know that you don’t intend to receive Communion. Or, if you prefer, you can stay in your seat. If you’re unsure, just ask someone.

Usually just over an hour. It’s finished by 10:15 pm.

Absolutely. Everyone’s welcome.

Not if you don’t want to! There is one part of the service called The Peace when people shake hands with one another, and say ‘Peace be with you’, and you’re welcome to get involved in that as much or as little as you wish. If you need to dash after the service and can’t stay for tea and coffee, that’s fine.

No. St John’s is in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England (Anglican Communion), so our worship is a bit like a Roman Catholic service in its format and style. If you are a Roman Catholic you are, of course, welcome to join us, or you may wish to worship with our friends at St Thomas More RC, Henry Road.

Yes. Apart from the area where the altar is there are no steps in the building, and there’s also an accessible toilet.

A collection is taken during one of the hymns, and the money is used for the mission and ministry of the parish. Please don’t feel you have to make a donation and don’t worry if you haven’t brought any money with you. Many of our regular worshippers give to the church by standing order, so they won’t be putting anything in the collection plate either!

Children normally go out into the hall about 10 minutes into the service for Sunday School, where they usually learn about the readings from the Bible through crafts, story-telling, or conversation. They then come back into the service at about 09:45 am. Very small children can stay with you in church, or you can use the same hall at any point as a crèche. But please don’t worry if they make a noise – that’s what children do! On some Sundays, we have an All-Age Mass, during which there will be a children’s talk in place of the sermon. On the very occasional Sundays when there isn’t Sunday School or an All Age Mass then there are activity bags for your children to use during the service.

Sermons at St John’s are usually based on the Bible readings set by the Church for the day. We have several people who preach regularly, and they each have different styles. Normally the preacher will try to explain how God speaks to us through the Bible, and how that might affect our lives as Christians. Sermons at St John’s usually last between 7 and 10 minutes.

Just come in! If the welcomer is still in the foyer, they will give you a service sheet and show you where to sit. If they’ve already sat down themselves then just take a service sheet, and come in and find a pew.

Don’t worry! Give it a chance, and let God speak to you through it. Some people have said that they had to come a few times before it really ‘clicked’ and made sense. So if you’re not sure the first time, please come back. If you have any questions about the worship or want something explaining, please ask Fr Daniel or Fr Justin. They love talking about these things, and no question is too stupid!

There’s no dress code, so come as you are comfortable. Some people at St John’s like to dress smartly for the church, and some people don’t. Nobody will judge you!

There are plenty of pews in the main part of the church. facing the altar. Sit at the front, or the back, or the middle, wherever you’re most comfortable.

There is no one ‘type’ of person who comes to St John’s. We are a very diverse group of people. There will almost certainly be someone like you and a lot of people who aren’t too!