Welcome!
Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about St Oswalds's. If you are a newcomer please make yourself known to one of the clergy or sidesmen. Information about our activities are available in leaflets at the back of the church and also on this website.
Key information about the church...
- What can you expect in a service?
- Is there a dress code?
- Will I have to join in?
- Can I take communion?
- Are toilets available?
- What provision is made for the disabled?
- I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them?
What can you expect in a service?
Our main service of the week is 10.30am on Sundays. Please see Sunday Services page for details.
You will receive a warm welcome particularly from our Welcome Team (who wear name badges) who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you would like to sit.
The day starts with a quiet service of Holy Communion without hymns, using the Book of Common Prayer.
On one Sunday a month, there is 9am service for children and adults together, called Breakfast Church. We start off sharing breakfast, then there's a talk, an activity, prayers, singing, and we celebrate God’s love and the presence of Jesus Christ with us. Beakfast lasts around 20 mins, and then Breakfast Church last around 20 mins too.
On every Sunday at 10.30am, the service is Holy Communion. In this service, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in response, pray for the God’s church and world. Besides meeting Jesus Christ through the Bible Reading and Sermon, we also encounter him as we come forward to receive bread and wine, or a prayer of blessing towards the end of the service. At the end, we are blessed and go to serve God in the coming week. This service lasts just over an hour.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service when there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions.
Sundays end with Evensong (once a month, choral evensong) with hymns and a sermon, again using the Book of Common Prayer.
Our weekly newsletter, Pew News, which tells you about what's going on in church that week, is emailed out the weekly, Sunday services and can also be downloaded in advance from this website.
Is there a dress code?
No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in what you find comfortable.
Will I have to join in?
Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you. You are welcome to sit and don't have to kneel or stand.
Can I take Communion?
Communion may be received at either the main altar or in your pew (no steps). If you take communion in your own church, whatever denomination, please feel free to take communion with us. However, if you do not want to receive communion, you and or your children are most welcome to come up to the altar rail at communion to receive a blessing. It helps us if you take your service book with you to indicate if this is what you want, especially for adults. Otherwise just stay seated in your pew.
If you would like to receive communion, but are unable to make your way to either altar, please speak to one of the welcomers. Gluten-free wafers are available but let one of the welcomers know when you arrive.
Are toilets available?
There are toilets in the Church centre opposite the church building (near to the car park) and there is also a toilet with disabled access in the Western door at the back of the church which is open during services.
What provision is made for the disabled?
There is wheelchair access via our west door which has a ramp. There is also a section without pews in the main body of the church suitable for those in wheelchairs. If taking communion at our Sunday services then you can receive it where you are sitting - just ask one of the welcomers (with name badges) beforehand - or come up to the High Altar (there are ramps to assist). The church also has a wheelchair if needed.
I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask about them?
Check out our Who's Who page as there are plenty of people you can email or phone who will be able to answer your questions.