Information for visitors

We offer a warm invitation to you to visit St Andrew’s and to share in our worship and prayer. Many people who have not attended church for a long time may feel nervous at coming into a strange place and do not know what to expect. We hope the following information will help you to feel at ease.

Our members

The church’s congregation is a mix of ethnic backgrounds reflecting the local population of the Rayners Lane area. Ages range from 20 to 95 and there is a small group of children and young people. There is a balance of men and women and at St Andrews we have long supported the ordained ministry of women.

When to arrive

Service times are shown on the service details page. We recommend that you arrive about 5-10 minutes before the service begins so that you can settle and feel comfortable inside the church.

What to wear

Some people wear jackets, others wear comfortable, informal clothes; some of our African members wear colourful traditional dress.

Facilities for people with disablilities

There is a ramp for entry to the church via the church hall; we have a toilet for use by people with disabilities; and we use a sound system that includes a loop for hearing aid users. Please let a sides person know if you require any of these.

Who will meet you at the door?

At our main Sunday services there are 2-3 sides persons, whose responsibility is to greet everyone on arrival and to assist them according to their need. Please let them know if you are attending for the first time and, if you wish, they will make arrangements for a regular member to sit with you and help you find your way through the service structure.

Receiving communion.

We invite everyone who is confirmed in the Anglican church or who regularly takes communion in their own church, to come to the altar rail to receive the sacraments. We also invite all others, including children, to come to the altar rail to receive a blessing - just keep your hands down and your head bowed. If you are physically unable to come forward, but you would like to receive Communion or a blessing, inform a sides person beforehand.

Vestments

Those leading the service, Vicar, Curate, lay reader, and servers  wear robes. We have a small choir, who also wear robes, and who enter the church in procession during the first hymn.

Giving to support St Andrew’s

Half way through the service there is a collection of voluntary offerings to support the work of the church. You are under no obligation to give to this collection, but if you do, you might consider using the Gift Aid envelopes that are in the pew.

Young Children's Play Area

We welcome babies and young children to stay in church throughout the service. However, we recognise that they are unlikely to sit passively for 75 minutes. We have therefore provided a large number of children's books, a small number of children's 'amusement packs', and a large carpeted play area at the rear on the far side of the church from the entrance. We encourage you to make full use of all these facilities.

Sunday Schools

We provide Sunday Schools for children from age 3 to 17. Please ask a sides person if you want your child to be part of Sunday School. Link to Sunday school

Korean Church

St Andrew's is pleased to host the Korean Church, who meet on Sunday afternoons for worship.