You are welcome to join us whatever your background and whether you know what you believe or not. Our churches are also places where you can explore and learn from our community.

Below are some FAQs. But if you need assistance or have any questions feel free to contact us or come along to talk with us.

Don't worry about coming in– if the door is closed it's just because it's cold outside!

Someone should welcome you as you enter. You can ask them if you have any questions about the service.

Take a seat wherever you like. People may be setting up for the service and practising music. Usually we try to keep a short time of quiet before the worship begins.

Do not worry if you are unfamiliar with the church; you can watch, listen, and join in as you feel comfortable.

There will either be a service sheet or a screen with all the information on it.

There will be general guidance about when to sit or stand. But please do not feel you have to! If you struggle with sitting for long periods of time or standing up, then please do what is right for you. There will be no judgment.

There are many names for Holy Communion: Mass, Eucharist, Lord’s Supper and more. This is the belief that God is really present and meets us in ordinary reality, as we gather to share in the elements of bread and wine. It is the heart of our community life.

All baptised christians of any denomination are invited to receive Communion.

If you don’t wish to receive Communion, or you are not baptised yet, then you are invited to receive a blessing instead. If you would prefer this just keep your hands together and head bowed when you come forward.

• Gluten free bread is available, just let a welcomer or the clergy know before the service if you need this.

• Our practice is to receive wine from a shared cup. Precautions are taken to do this hygienically. Please do not dip the bread as hands are less hygienic than your mouth!

• You are under no obligation to receive the wine whether this is for health or other reasons.

• Children may legally receive the wine as long as there is parental consent.

• If you struggle with standing or walking then we can bring communion to you, please just let a welcomer or the clergy know.

No!

We are always grateful for donations, but you are welcome in our churches without any pressure or expectation to give. We no longer pass a collection plate around as we do not want anyone to feel pressured or embarrassed.

However, we do keep running because on your generosity. There will be a bowl or box for cash donations, a card machine, or you can give digitally here >

We encourage regular worshippers to set up a standing order.

At St James on Sundays we translate all our sermons into Persian.

We also use a projector screen with both English and Persian words for you to follow along.