For anyone coming for the first time

What happens here on a Sunday

Written for the person sitting in the car park at five to ten, deciding whether to come in. There is nothing on this page we would not say to you at the door.

TimesWhen we meet

The short version

Arrive about ten to ten. One door, someone standing at it. Sit wherever you like — nobody’s seat is spoken for, whatever the regulars’ habits suggest.

Ninety minutes: four hymns, two readings, a long prayer, and thirty-five minutes of preaching. Coffee afterwards for as long as you want it, and not a moment longer.

an open book sitting on top of a wooden table — **Plate III** The sermon is the longest thing that happens and the reason most of the congregation is here. It works through one book at a time, in order, including the difficult parts.

a row of books sitting on top of a wooden shelf — **Plate IV** The books stay in the pew and everyone uses the same one. Four hymns most weeks, put up on the board by number before the service starts.

The singingWhat it sounds like

A piano, and on a good week a cello. No band, no screens, no words projected on a wall — everyone holds the same book and the tune is printed above the words, so a visitor who reads music can follow it and a visitor who doesn’t still has the text.

It is not always beautiful. About a third of the congregation cannot sing at all and does it anyway, which is closer to the point than a polished performance would be.

The orderHow the ninety minutes go

This Sunday’s bulletin Printable on one sheet, with the hymn numbers filled in.

Straight answersThe questions people actually ask

Children

Children stay in for the first half and go out to their own groups before the sermon. Babies are welcome to stay throughout; the noise genuinely does not bother anyone, and there is a quiet room at the back with the service on a speaker.

Every adult working with children has been checked and there are two unrelated adults in every room, without exception. Ask any elder for the safeguarding policy and you will be handed it, not promised it.

Getting in

There is a ramp to the north door, a step-free route to the vestry and the accessible toilet, and a hearing loop covering the front two-thirds of the meeting house.

The gallery stairs are original and steep. Nothing that happens up there is essential, and nobody sits up there anyway except at Christmas.