You might be getting married or having your wedding Banns read in our church. You might be making an enquiry about Baptism. Or you might have come in contact through a funeral held in the church or taken at the crematorium by one of the ministers.
You might be thinking about transferring from another church which no longer quite matches your needs. You might have moved newly into our neighbourhood. You might be wondering about the possibility of your child going to Clifford School, our church school. You might just decide to come along o one o our Sunday services, at 10:30 am or 6:30 pm. Or you might have just found this website and emailed us with a query about some aspect of the church or the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whatever the initial mode of contact, we're confident that when you join us for worship, a warm welcome in the church community and child-friendly atmosphere and activities (see the 'About Us' section). There is always coffee, tea and squash after the Sunday morning service, and this is an opportunity for people to chat and to get to know each other. Access is good for people with disabilities, and there is a loop system for those with hearing aids.
If you find yourself feeling happy at home with us, then you may well eventually want to take part in some other activity of the church, e.g. singing in the choir or joining the 'Eco-Congregational' group, or even taking on a voluntary task to help the smooth running of the church. But there won't be any pressure to get more involved than you want to be; and we'll understand if you decide our 'brand' isn't for you. Those who join us on a regular basis will receive a 'get-to-know-you' visit at home form the minister, but this will be arranged beforehand.
If after a time, you feel you would like to commit yourself to being a member of the church, you can be enrolled as an Anglican or a Methodist, or, if you have not been baptized or no confirmed, you can be baptized and confirmed, after some preparation sessions, and become a dual member (both Anglican and Methodist)! This is best done is consultation with the minister. Two things follow from this. First you will be placed in a 'Church Link' group, which means that your Church Link, another member of the church, will make sure you receive out 'Nexus' magazine and try to keep in friendly touch, so that they can offer support if needed and so that there is good contact and care throughout the church community. Secondly you will be encouraged to pledge to give on a regular basis towards the life of the church, either by weekly envelopes or by banker's standing order. The church simply could not continue without the generous giving of all members.
We have an open table at the Holy Communion, although we do not encourage adults who have yet to be baptized or confirmed to receive Communion on a longer term basis, unless they are preparing for Baptism/Confirmation.