If you have never been to church before , or it has been a long time since you attended a service, please be assured that you will fine a warm and friendly welcome at St Matthew's.
Do pop and see us during our Saturday Cafe, to get to know us a little better before you come to a service, if that would be helpful. We also have some photos which take you through what to expect at one of our services. We also record our sermons, so you can listen from the comfort of home; just choose the sermon you would like to listen to from the Audio menu.
Above all, we want you to know that everyone is welcome here. Here is our special welcome message, just for you...
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We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, heart-broken or in a happy relationship. We welcome you if you have won the lottery or are struggling to pay the gas bill. If you are carrying a crying newborn or arguing with your teenager – welcome.
We welcome you if you don’t know the Lord’s Prayer or if you are worried about when to stand up and when to sit down (don’t worry, we will guide you through every step!). We don’t mind if you have never been to church before, if you only ever come for the “hatch, match or dispatch” or if you cut your baby teeth on the pews. If you can’t sing, join the crowd - we will never be on Britain’s Got Talent…
If you are growing old but refuse to grow up – or you are young and can’t wait to grow up - welcome. If you are resisting getting varifocals, you are in good company. If your preferred mode of transport is a skateboard, come on in. We love art in any form, even if it is inked onto your body or pierced through your eyebrow. If you are in recovery or are still addicted, or have just come in to get warm, then you are welcome here.
If you have a sight problem, we will guide you to your seat. If you have a hearing problem, we will sign one of our services. If you are in a wheelchair, we have a ramp and will give you Communion or a Blessing at your seat. If you have children who think that life is far more exciting than sitting down and being quiet, we have both a crèche area and children’s groups.
We don’t mind if you are a Red, a Blue or a Hatter. We welcome you if you live in our Parish, our town, our country or on our planet. We welcome atheists, humanists, seekers, doubters, and those who are here because Granny needed a lift to church.
If you are fed up with life, religion, or football, come on in. lf you are full of the joys of spring or lower than the deepest pit, there is a place for you here. If you broke your New Year’s resolution before the end of the first week, there is a place for you here - even if you do still need a smoke or could do with losing a few pounds…hey, nobody’s perfect!
We especially welcome those who could use a prayer right about now, who could really do with some compassion and understanding, maybe even a bit of hope.
We welcome YOU.