Church is much more than just Sundays! Church is a family to belong to. We pray that all who come to St Andrew’s regularly will feel a part of a supportive and loving community. Here is a selection of easy ways to get more involved.
Unless otherwise indicated, contact James the Vicar for information on any of these ways or other ways to get involved, and he will be able to point you in the right direction.
Connect Groups
Connect Groups meet two or three times a month for Bible study, prayer and fellowship in various homes around the area.
They are a vital part of our life at St Andrew’s and we encourage everyone to be involved in one of these groups. All are welcome to join a group, or just to try one for a session or two to see how it feels.
Also look out for study mornings, book clubs, and courses such as the Lent Course for occasional opportunities to learn and study together. For further details about all study groups, contact James the Vicar.
Prayer Groups
Various small groups meet during the week for prayer:
- Prayer Focus. Our main monthly church prayer meeting, on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 12.30pm in the Church Hall. We meet to pray for all that goes on at St Andrew’s and for the wider world.
- Mission Focus. Meets in various locations on the 2nd Monday of the month to pray for our overseas mission partners. Also organises twice-yearly mission fairs.
- Morning Prayer. Weekday mornings at 9am: see the weekly News Sheet for details.
Serving on Sundays
All that happens on Sundays couldn’t happen without all those who volunteer in many different ways. Whatever your skills and interests, there’s a way for you to serve on Sundays! Contact Christine Bensley, Churchwarden, for more information on any of these opportunities.
- Welcoming. Greeting people at the door, and helping newcomers feel welcome and at ease. Once every couple of months.
- Choir & Music. Supporting the sung worship in the choir or with other musical skills. Speak to Margaret Smith, our Music Director, for more information. As often as you can.
- Refreshments. Serving tea and coffee after the service in the Church Hall. We also need help setting up the chairs and tables, and clearing away afterwards. Once every couple of months.
- Children’s Sunday Club. Assisting with provision for children during the service. Fortnightly.
- Reading. Reading the passage of the Bible that has been chosen for the service. Once every couple of months
- Tech Team. Operating the livestream and sound system, and occasionally the words on the screens. Once or twice a month.
- Sacristans. Setting up for Holy Communion. Once every couple of months
- Flowers and decorating the church. Making the church look attractive for services. As needed.
Serving during the Week
There are lots of roles behind the scenes that happen in the week:
- Churchyard & Burial Ground Working Parties. Keep our grounds looking tidy and welcoming. Once a month
- Sanctuary Guild. Takes care of the church brasses and communion linen, and changes the church colours with the seasons. Once a month and seasonal
- Hospitality Team. Helping to prepare food for social events during the year. Occasional
- Parishes Magazine Editors. Joining a team to help produce the monthly Parishes Magazine. Twice yearly
Outreach Teams
Lots of different teams work during the week to serve our local community with the love of Jesus.
- Toddlers. Provides a space for toddlers to play and parents to find community. Tuesday mornings during term-time.
- Children’s Activity Mornings. Crafts, games and a Bible drama for primary-aged children. Four times a year.
- Old Eatonians. A friendship group for all senior residents of Eaton, with a different guest speaker each month. Monthly on the 1st Wednesday afternoon.
- Community Café. Food and friendship for all local residents. Help with serving and setting up. Thursday mornings.
- Art Café. A space for craft and community. Monthly on Saturday afternoons.
- Eco Church. Considers ways to make St Andrew’s more eco-friendly as a church, and runs events such as our annual Eco Day. As needed.
