First visit to St Luke’s? Answers to some practical questions:

Can I come to a service if I’m not a member?
Yes! We welcome people from all backgrounds; people who are Christians, people who are unsure, and those seeking faith, perhaps coming into a church for the very first time.

Will there be anywhere to park?
You can use the car park at St. Luke’s and there is free parking in the streets right by the church.

What do I have to wear?
Wear what you want to wear. You don’t have to dress a certain way.

Do I need to bring money?
No.  We have a freewill offering during the service but there is no obligation to contribute. There is a collection plate by the door as you leave the worship space if you wish and are able to donate to the work of St Luke’s. (Many of our members have bank standing orders).

When I arrive, what will happen?
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the door by at least one of the Welcome Team. When you pass through the Community Room into the worship area, please feel free to sit wherever you like to wait for the service to begin and don’t be too surprised if other people come over to speak to you and sit with you. We hope they do so! This is part of our welcome to you.

Who do I ask if I have a question?
Please just ask anyone – we will be pleased to help with any query you may have.

If I come to a service, how will I know what to do? Do I have to sing?
Our worship services vary in style, mixing modern with the more traditional styles, reflecting the diversity in our congregation. The words of all songs or hymns are on a large audio visual screens, as is the chosen reading from the Bible. You do not have to sing. By all means just follow the words on screen. No one will mind. We will also have a time for prayer and a talk (or sermon). Those of us who can do so stand up to sing. We usually pray in a seated position, not kneeling. You may well find that some people lift their arms in worship and we often celebrate with flags, sometimes have drama and more occasionally have dance.

What if I have children with me?
For younger children, age-specific bags of toys are available in a basket just as you enter the worship area. Most weeks families stay together in church during worship for the first 20 minutes. Then there is an opportunity for  younger children to go to TransformUs (our name for Junior Church), though parents are able to accompany their children if they need help to settle into the group. All our leaders and helpers have been subject to DBS checks and we operate a rigorous safeguarding policy at the church.

How long is the worship service?
Most worship services last about an hour – sometimes less, more often a little longer. This is the case when we have a Communion Service.

What if it’s a Holy Communion service?

All who wish to celebrate their love of Jesus are welcome to share in the bread and non-alcoholic wine. You do not have to be a member of the Methodist Church or even to have been baptised. The Communion table is Christ’s table and this celebration of Jesus’s Last Supper with his disciples is open to all to share. However, you may prefer not to receive the bread and the wine and simply opt to receive a blessing.

What happens if I need to go out?
One of our church stewards sits by the entrance to assist anyone leaving or coming late.

What happens after the worship ends?
Tea and coffee are served in the Community Room and we hope you’ll stop for a chat!

Connect with us

Whether you are joining us online and wish to find out more about the Christian faith or wish to find out more about our church, we’d love to connect with you.

Fill out our online form below and a member of our team will be in touch.