Whether you are new to church or are just exploring what being a christian means, we hope this page will be helpful. If you do have any unanswered questions, our Rector is always happy to have an informal chat or for more information on services do feel free to contact the parish office on 01243 533403 or office@stpaulschichester.org
What’s the best service for me?
Our 10am Sunday service is a great way to make a start. You’ll get a warm welcome, and we would love you to stay on for coffee where you can get to know other members of the congregation. Services usually last for just over an hour and are in the format of a Sung Eucharist, (often called Holy Communion) – for an explanation on our services and what our worship means see ‘What is the Eucharist?’ below.
To find out the time that all of our services tke place click HERE.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! Children are welcome to stay in church with you during any of our services. However, at the Sunday 10am service there’s lots of fun to be had in Junior Church where they can take part in activities suitable for their age group – from 3yrs to 11+. Children go into Junior Church in the Parish Centre when you arrive, through the double doors on the north side of the church, and are brought back into church to join you for communion. A creche, called ‘Little Sparks’, for babies and toddlers is also held in the Parish Centre, where you can take them if they need changing or find the service a bit much!
Do I have to join in?
It’s entirely up to you. Some people like to take a few visits to get into the way things run, then gradually join in as they feel comfortable. Whatever is best for you is fine with us and everyone around you.
Should I dress up?
Come as you are and wear what feels right. We are a congregation with lots of different styles – so no expected dress code!
What if I get things wrong?
You won’t! At the 10am Sunday service all the words are on a screen, it’s all there for you to join in when you are ready. When to stand, sit, or join in with a hymn will be explained as the service is followed, although you can stand or sit as you feel comfortable. If you would prefer to use a hymn book, do let the welcome team know.
Is there a collection?
No there isn’t. But we do need donations to keep the church running, and so we ask that you simply tap your debit card on our contactless giving terminal near the west door of the church and the west door of the parish centre. Donations start at £5 but what you give is entirely up to you. We are grateful for all donations.
What is the Eucharist?
If it’s the first time you have been to a church service called the Eucharist it can seem a bit confusing.
The Eucharist is at heart of Christian worship. It is celebrated as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus , and as a response to Jesus’ words at the last supper, ‘Do this in remembrance of me’. The Bible tells us that Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them and gave them to his disciples to share. In doing so he associated the breaking of bread and sharing of wine with his own imminent death, and so giving them special significance. At a celebration of the Eucharist,(also known as Holy Communion, the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper) the community gathers as a congregation, asks God’s forgiveness for its sins, listens to readings from the Bible including a reading from one of the Gospels. A sermon may be preached and the congregation prays together. Bread and wine are brought to the altar, the priest prays a special prayer, the Eucharistic Prayer, which asks God to consecrate (which means, to make it Holy) the bread and wine, and everyone says the Lord’s Prayer together. Those in the congregation who are baptised and confirmed then receive the consecrated bread and wine’, known as receiving the sacrament. Those who aren’t baptised or confirmed are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. For more information on being baptised and confirmed see the section on confirmation HERE. At the end of the service, the congregation is blessed and sent out into the world to serve God.
If you have any questions about what happens and why, do speak to our Rector or another member of clergy and they will be happy to answer your questions.
Accessibility.
Worshippers and visitors with disabilities are most welcome at St. Paul’s. If you require any assistance please ask a member of our welcome team on arrival. For wheelchair users or those with other disabilities an accessible toilet facility is available in the Parish Centre, through the double doors on the north side of the church. For those who are hard of hearing a loop system is also available.
If you are unable to stand, or move forward to receive the Sacrament, please tell one of the Welcome team and they will make sure the Clergy bring the Sacrament to you during Communion. Whilst we have some traditions about when we stand or sit, please feel free to stand or sit as you feel comfortable.
The Christian Faith
At St Paul’s we try to honour the human need to grow in the understanding of our faith, to enjoy God in prayer, and to know and support each other in friendship. The Church of England has a useful section exploring what the Christian faith is and the following excerpt provides an introduction:
Belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is at the heart of our faith. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus reveals to us that God is our Father, and that God is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
You won’t ever be asked if you completely understand all this. But you are asked whether you believe and trust. This is called faith. It is a different sort of knowledge. It is the knowledge of being known and loved, and of loving in return.
The Christian faith is not a human invention. There are signs of God’s existence and handiwork in creation for anyone to read (Acts 14.15–17). But we believe in the way we do because God has come to seek us out and has made himself known to us.
God has revealed himself through the Bible. God has revealed himself most clearly through the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. God makes himself known personally to each believer through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The video below, by the Church of England, explores how some people describe God. As you learn more about the Christian Faith, perhaps their descriptions will help you discover something new about God yourself.
If you would like to explore Christianity then you are very welcome to come along to a service or please feel free to contact the Rector directly by email to rector@stpaulschichester.org and arrange to have a chat with him. The Church of England website also has some really good information, and for more on the basics of Christianity why not try the following websites.https://explorechristianity.info/ or Christianity.org.uk