What should I expect?

St James is an inclusive church where absolutely everyone is welcome! We celebrate the diversity of all of God’s creation and all of humanity. This means that you are welcome to join the full life of the church without discrimination on the grounds of disability, economic status, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neuro-diversity, or sexuality. We are wheelchair accessible and have a separate disabled toilet.

Likewise we are a very family friendly church, and enjoy the life of our families. You are very welcome to join us with small children, particularly in our 10.30 am service where we have specific provision for children, and we do not want you to worry at all about that bit of extra commotion that goes along with having little ones (It’s not entirely unheard of for a child to join the priest at the altar!) Most Sundays we have Children’s Church (when it’s not an All Age service), and there are toys along the side aisle if they prefer to stay in the service with you.

Worship @ St James

Worship at St James is varied, depending upon which service you attend. Our 8 am service is a more traditional weekly service of Holy Communion, and our 10:30 am service varies throughout the month, with less structured Morning Worship or an All Age Worship or Communion, and a more structured service of Holy Communion once per month (see our Sunday Services page for when each service is held). Our All Age services are accessible to the whole family, and when it is not an All Age service, there is provision for children.

FAQ

  • Dress however is most comfortable for you. We want you to be you, and to be able to enjoy worship without feeling as though you must pretend to be someone you are not. Some choose to dress smartly, whilst others dress very casually.

  • Our service leader will usually tell you when it’s appropriate to stand or sit, but likewise, if you are uncomfortable standing, you are very welcome to remain seated.

  • Anyone who feels drawn to take communion is welcome to, and we don’t check credentials at the altar! But likewise if you would prefer not to take communion, you are either welcome to remain at your seat, or if you would like to come up for a blessing just bring your notice sheet up with you and the priest will know that you have come for a blessing instead of communion.

  • Our services are roughly an hour long. After our 10.30 service there is additional time for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat for those who would like to stay.

  • No, nothing to fear! Whilst a number of people from the congregation play an active role in our services, we want St. James’ to be as safe and as unthreatening a place as possible, so you will never be asked to do anything you do not want to do. Of course, if you would like to get involved, please just ask.

Have more questions? Feel free to Contact us!