What Is Christianity?

The message at the heart of Christianity is pretty simple. Find out what it's all about on this two-minute video. Turn your speakers on! At the bottom of the page there are details on how to ask any questions you may have.

Christianity is about Jesus. But who is Jesus?

Jesus once asked his followers this question:

"Who do you say I am?"

A prophet with a new teaching?
A healer to the sick?
A saviour to a lost world?

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Jesus claimed each of these, but most importantly, he claimed to be God in the flesh.

At the dawn of time he ignited human history when he spoke. He breathed life into the lungs of the first man and woman - and every inch of creation itself.

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But we rebelled. We turned against our King and followed our own ways, even though it would cost us our life. Our sin poisoned his perfect creation, giving way to sickness, injustice, and death.

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Sin separated us from one another, and from God.

Why did Jesus come?

But rather than cast off humanity, God sent his Son Jesus to enter into the world he Created - the one broken by our sin. He breathed our air, became human like us.

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He lived a perfect life - the one God intended we live - and called us to repent of our sin and follow him in faith.

Some believed his word and recognised him as King. Others denied him. They crowned him with thorns and executed him. They rejected him, and so have we.

But God had a plan. Jesus willingly gave himself up to die on a cross to save us from God's judgment and the death we deserve.

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On that cross, he exchanged our rebellion for his obedience. Our brokenness for his perfection.

The Son of God died so we could live.

And on the third day, he rose to life again, defeating death forever.

And now, he sits on the throne of heaven, offering life through the Holy Spirit to all those who repent and trust in him.

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What does it mean for us?

Jesus is the King of Kings.

No one will ever ask you a more important question than the one Jesus asked:

Who do you say I am?

Questions?

Please contact us and we will be happy to go through your questions.

We run regular Alpha courses which you are invited to join. Alpha is an 10-week course that creates a space, online or in person, for a conversation about faith, life and God.

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Hello! and a warm welcome to St Mary's church.
If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

We hope that you can visit and get to know us better, we would love to meet you!

Our Sunday Services

10.30am (refreshments after the service)

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the Bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is Bible-based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service. Holy Communion is 4th Sunday of the month. If you have any questions please ask!

6pm (refreshments after the service)

Our 6pm service is held in the Church Centre in the Lower Hall. An informal, quieter service with contemporary songs and occasional liturgy. Holy Communion is 2nd Sunday of the month.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access via the centre door, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it in the church. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet in the Church centre.

Newcomers Lunch

We invite everyone to be a guest at a Newcomers Welcome Lunch normally held once a term after the 10.30 Sunday service, usually in the Church Centre.

As well as an opportunity for us all to get to know one another better, you can hear more about the life and ministry of St Mary’s and how as a committed Christian you may be able to get involved.

We also have a Whole Church Sunday lunch together once a month in our Lower Hall.

Christmas inside church

What about my kids?

Children's groups run on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month (except school holidays) at the 10:30 service and your kids are very welcome to join them.

Each group (excluding Crèche) includes, sung worship, Bible reading, prayer, listening to God, games, craft and food!

All groups are led by wonderful volunteers from within the church family who have completed a DBS check and are safely recruited.

Creche (0 months to 2 years). Parent supervised.
Sparklers (2-4 years)
Flames (5-7 years)
Rockets (8-11 years Junior School)
Youth (Secondary School age)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs), together for the first part of the morning. At some point someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups at first and register them as part of our child safety policy.

For more information about what happens in the children's work please visit the Children's Ministry page. Children return to the service before the end.

St Mary's has lots of children and families, we love having kids around and try to make them feel welcome and at home.

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Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev'd Becky Jones
Vicar of St Mary's

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Becky