It is easy to feel a bit daunted visiting a church for the first time. Churches can differ in style and approach, and all may have different ways of doing things. We hope we can put you at ease and answer some of the questions you may have.

Who are we?

A warm welcome awaits you at this friendly, local church. Our typical Sunday service congregation is around 30 people of different ages and backgrounds. We come mostly from the surrounding villages, but a few come each week from further afield. We are all at different stages in our journeys of faith, and we welcome all-comers.

What can I expect from a Sunday service at Cores End URC?

The service begins at 10.30 am and people usually start arriving around 15 minutes before the service. You will be met at the front entrance to the church, on Kiln Lane, by a door steward, who is there to welcome people, hand out the service paper which will let you know what is happening that morning, ensure you have the hymnbooks you need, and to offer any assistance that might be required. 

You are welcome to sit wherever you would like to in the main sanctuary. Our main seating is in cushioned pews, but we also have spaces for wheelchairs and chairs with arm rests for those who might need these.

The service usually begins with an introduction and call to worship. Services tend to last around 45 – 60 minutes, and involve prayers, readings from the Bible, a mix of traditional hymns and worship songs, an introductory or family talk, and a short sermon.  You are invited to join in the singing of hymns and worship songs and some of the prayers (such as the Lord’s Prayer), but it’s not a problem if you prefer to just sit and listen.  Services may be led by a range of people, including our minister (in general on alternate Sundays), members of the congregation, our worship group, visiting ministers and lay preachers.

At the end of the service there may be a short time of quiet prayer, and then you are welcome to stay for refreshments in the lower hall at the rear of the church and meet with others here.

How is Communion celebrated?

Services include Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper) on every second Sunday of the month, when the church family recalls the words and actions of Jesus – inviting his disciples to ‘do this to remember me’.  Stewards will bring trays of pieces of bread small glasses of grape juice and to the congregation, serving people where they are sitting.   You are very welcome to receive and remember Jesus in this way, but if you do not wish to do so simply decline when the trays are offered to you. 

What is provided for children?

A creche is available on request for babies and toddlers. Junior Church meets during the Sunday morning service for children aged 4 to 16 years. We typically have between two and five young people attending. Children share in the first part of the service, as part of the congregation, and then leave for their groups in the lower or upper hall. Junior Church ends at the same time as the service and parents/guardians are welcome to talk with the Junior Church or creche leaders about the activities the children have been doing.

All our creche and Junior Church leaders have up-to-date DBS checks and abide by our Safeguarding Code of Conduct. You can see our full safeguarding policy here.

Baby-changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet, in the rear foyer of the building.  

Is parking available?

The church has a private car park, which is accessed from Princes Road. You are very welcome to park here when attending Sunday services or church events. There is no payment for parking.

What facilities are available?

In addition to the main sanctuary, the church has a lower hall, with adjoining kitchen, and a large upper hall, all of which can be accessed from the car park entrance or from the sanctuary. We have newly-refurbished female and male toilets and an accessible toilet for those with disabilities. These are located in the ground-floor foyer at the rear of the church, near the car park.

Do you cater for those with disabilities?

We are registered as a sight-friendly church, and are happy to support those with visual impairments to access our buildings, services and events. There is level access to the sanctuary from the entrance on Kiln Lane and space for wheelchairs within the sanctuary. There is also level access to the lower hall, kitchen and toilets from the rear car park entrance. A ramp leads from the car park itself to the rear entrance. There are two steps between the sanctuary and the lower hall, but a ramp is provided for those who need access between the two areas. An accessible toilet is available in rear foyer of the building, with grab rails and a lowered sink.