What should I expect when I arrive?
We aim that everyone who comes through our doors will be welcomed. We are one church family that meets in 3 locations. In all 3 of our services we seek to:
- Read the Bible
- Preach the Bible in our sermons.
- Pray to God in our corporate prayer.
- Build one another up by singing hymns and songs.
- Honour the Lord Jesus Christ in our actions and our worship
- Regularly remember the Lord’s Supper / Communion (we aim to hold a Communion service at least once a week across the Benefice)
Whichever church you visit you should receive a warm welcome, and it should be easy to follow along with the service. At each church you will have access to a service sheet which will guide you through what is happening, a Bible so that you can read God’s word, and a notice sheet that shares our latest news. At Stanton by Dale, song words are projected onto screens overheard, whereas at Dale Abbey and Risley you will be given a hymn / song book.
Hospitality is another key element of our work together, and so after each service refreshments including hot drinks and biscuits are served.
What children’s and young people’s provision is there?
Children and young people of any age are welcome and valued in our church family! We are aiming to have a creche running at both Stanton-by-Dale and Risley. We have children’s groups that run at both Stanton-by-Dale and Risley, and some mid-week youth provision. There’s more information about this here.
Is there a dress code?
No! Please just be yourself and come in your ‘normal’ clothes. Services are friendly and relatively informal. That means you can come in a suit or wear your jeans and you won’t look out of place. We have many guests, young families, parents with grown-up families as well as some more ‘time experienced’ members of our congregation.
Have you considered attending an enquirer’s course?
All of our enquirers courses are informal and relaxed. They’re for anyone who wants to think about the meaning of life. They’re run by ordinary people local to you and are completely free. You don't need to know anything about the Bible and you won't be asked to pray or sing. You can ask any question you like or you can just sit and listen. Currently, we run two courses: Hope Explored or Christianity Explored.
Do you have questions about what the Christian faith is all about? The Christianity Explored Course is a great place to start! Christianity Explored is an informal course for people who’d like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus is and why it matters! We do this by looking through Mark’s Gospel – an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Lots of people across the Benefice have completed the Christianity Explored course over recent years and it is highly recommended!
If you would like to join the next course, please let us know by completing the contact form here.
There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won’t disappoint us?
Hope Explored looks at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. This three-session series shows that Christianity is about real hope: a joyful expectation for the future, based on true events in the past, which changes everything about my present. Hope Explored does not require a huge time commitment from guests and is one of the easiest ways to introduce someone to Christianity. First run in our Benefice in 2022, this course has been very well received.
If you would like to join the next course, please let us know by completing the contact form here.
… and if you’re interested in joining a course, please contact us at the church office.
All of our enquirers courses are informal and relaxed. They’re for anyone who wants to think about the meaning of life. They’re run by ordinary people local to you and are completely free. You don't need to know anything about the Bible and you won't be asked to pray or sing. You can ask any question you like or you can just sit and listen. Currently, we run two courses: Hope Explored or Christianity Explored.
Do you have questions about what the Christian faith is all about? The Christianity Explored Course is a great place to start! Christianity Explored is an informal course for people who’d like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus is and why it matters! We do this by looking through Mark’s Gospel – an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Lots of people across the Benefice have completed the Christianity Explored course over recent years and it is highly recommended!
If you would like to join the next course, please let us know by completing the contact form here.
There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won’t disappoint us?
Hope Explored looks at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. This three-session series shows that Christianity is about real hope: a joyful expectation for the future, based on true events in the past, which changes everything about my present. Hope Explored does not require a huge time commitment from guests and is one of the easiest ways to introduce someone to Christianity. First run in our Benefice in 2022, this course has been very well received.
If you would like to join the next course, please let us know by completing the contact form here.
… and if you’re interested in joining a course, please contact us at the church office.
What are people in our church saying…
“We found Christianity Explored to be a great way to learn more about the basics of the Christian Faith, led by Rico Tice, one of the best speakers I have heard. There was no pressure to contribute in any way but there was freedom to ask questions however simple or complex at any time. This was a truly inspiring experience.”
Roger and Sonia
“Tea and company is held once a month in Stanton and Dale and is where we meet with neighbours around great cake and a cuppa. We chat, eat cake, play games and quizzes, and once in a while allow Phil to speak! Everyone is welcome.”