St Mary's
Broughton Astley
But I've never been to church before......!!
Even though our Rector is proud of his Welsh background, contrary to popular belief, our church is not full of dragons, ogres, etc. However, we understand that it might be a little daunting for those who have never been inside before.
We would love to welcome you into our Church and to make it easier, this page gives you some idea of what to expect. There are also some pictures of the church and church activity here.
If you are still nervous after reading this, contact the Church Office and we will arrange for someone to meet you and show you around.
To begin with, you need to know where we are. Click here for directions. You can park in the Pub Car park next door to the Church.
For those with pushchairs, prams, and mobility difficulties, entry should not cause a problem.
If you are coming to something other than a church service, Click here.
If you are coming to a church service, information about the times and styles can be found here.
A "family service" is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, it is probably best to attend this service as a first visit, as there is no communion held for this service.
Most morning services last about 75 minutes if communion is involved. Evening services are less pressured for time and their length varies more, typically between 60 and 90 minutes. If you need to leave during a service, no-one will complain if you slip out discreetly.
When you come into the building, someone will usually greet you at the door and offer you a copy of the weekly notices, and any books you may need such as an Order of Services booklet and Hymn book.You can sit on any vacant seat unless it has a notice on it specifically saying it is reserved. This would probably only happen for important services. The Service usually takes place on a Sunday to the Right side of the Church at the High Altar, for weekday services sometimes the service is held at Lady Chapel, to the left of the Church.
Incense is only now used on an occasional basis, i.e. for important services, and if this causes you a problem it is quite alright to move over to the left side of Church where the air might be a little "fresher"
The belief that God looks more favourably upon those who sit in the middle of a row rather than at the end is not explicitly supported by the Bible but rather was started by frustrated stewards who were trying to fit more people into the building. It does, however, have a long history, especially in Britain.
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If you have children with you they can either sit with you or join many other children, usually at the front at the start of the service. During most Sunday morning services the children leave for their own activities part way through. However, if you prefer to keep your children with you or they would rather not go, no-one will force them to. They are quite welcome to play at the front of the Church in the area marked "Children's Corner" |
If you are not sure what to do, just follow everyone else or, if you prefer, you can just remain seated throughout the service. You are under no obligation to join in any of the singing or even to like the music. We know we don't all have the same musical tastes and we don't expect you to either.
During Communion, if you are not yet confirmed, you are quite welcome and encouraged to go to the Altar rail with everyone else for a blessing, just take your service book and hold this instead of holding your hands out.
You are not expected to contribute to the work of the church (that's our responsibility) so don't feel embarrassed to pass the collection plate on without putting anything in it. Many church members contribute directly through their bank accounts so you won't be the only one just passing the plate on.
After the Sunday morning services, tea and coffee are served at the back of the church. Just follow everyone else, of course you don't have to stay for coffee......
Should you need "facilities", there is a toilet, suitably equipped for the disabled at the base of the tower.