Who comes to St Saviour’s?
We are a mixture of all sorts of people, from all sorts of backgrounds, all ages, and all with our own unique stories. We seek to be a church where all are welcome, where people matter, where we can worship God freely, and where we can be equipped to live out our faith day-by-day.
Can I just turn up?
Yes. Everyone is welcome and you don’t have to be invited and you don’t have to be a member. Just come along to any of our Sunday services or weekday activities. See ‘What’s on’ for information about our services, our groups and activities, or just to pop into the church for a bit of peace, or for a cuppa at the Open Link on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
We want everyone to feel at home at St Saviour’s from the moment they walk through the door. If you would like one of the welcome team to meet you at our Link entrance on your first visit, we would be delighted to arrange that. Please email Sue and Duncan Jones, our welcome team leaders, for more details or contact the church office.
Where can I park my car or leave my bicycle?
There are bicycle racks and parking for about 12 cars in front of the Link. You can also park on local roads, but certain parking restrictions apply. Please check the on-street signs for full details.
Is the church on a bus route?
There are regular buses along Christchurch Road. Find timetable information here. It is a short walk from the bus stop on Christchurch Road down to the end of Colemore Road. The church is on the right hand corner of Colemore Road and Holdenhurst Avenue.
Is there disabled access to the church and halls?
The main entrance is through the Link (the connecting building joining the church and the halls). There is a slight incline from the car park, and then a level entry through automated doors. The church, the Link and the ground floor hall are all accessible, but the upstairs hall is only accessed via stairs and there is no lift.
If you need any assistance on Sunday mornings, our welcome team will be on hand.
How long are the Sunday services?
Our 9am service usually lasts for 30-45 minutes, whereas our 10.30am service stretches to between an hour and an hour and a half. Our evening service is about an hour. For more information, see Sunday services.
Is there a dress code?
There is no particular dress code. Come as you are!
Do you have any provision for those with hearing or sight problems?
We operate a hearing loop system so, if you use a hearing aid, just switch it to ‘T’ to hear more clearly in the church and hall. Or ask our welcome team if you would like to borrow headphones, even if you don’t use a hearing aid.
We use a video projector during our services to show songs and hymns, as well as Bible readings. We also have copies of the Bible which you are welcome to use.
Can I bring my children?
Most definitely! Your children and youngsters can stay with you throughout the service or go to their age-related groups. All ages are very welcome.
To find out more about our children’s and young people’s activities, both for Sundays and weekdays, please see our pages about Children and Young people.
Parents/guardians are welcome to come to the group with their children at first, to help them settle in. On your child’s first visit, let the group leader know you are new and they will give you a registration form. Or come along and see Caz Gatehouse, our Children’s Minister, to find out more.
After services, the supervision of children is the responsibility of parents/guardians, and we ask you to keep them safe, especially around hot drinks, and not to allow them to play upstairs unsupervised.
What do you offer for babies and toddlers?
For 0-3 year olds: we have a soft-mat area in church with a few ‘quiet’ toys, and also a separate, unsupervised crèche room with a wider selection of toys and a television link for the 10.30am service. There are also some play bags of ‘quiet’ toys just outside the crèche room. Everything is available every Sunday morning.
There are also activities for babies and toddlers during the week. More information here.
Do you have any activities for young people?
Young people are welcome at St Saviour’s. More about our young people’s groups, both for Sundays and weekdays, here. To register your young person, please contact Jez Ferguson, our Youth Minister.
What’s the music like?
There is a variety of music styles at St Saviour’s, from traditional hymns to more modern songs, all accompanied by our gifted musicians and singers.
Will I have to do anything during the service?
No, there is no need to do anything that you don’t want to do. We hope you will feel welcomed, safe, and relaxed. Just join in as you wish.
What is communion?
This is a service where bread and wine are blessed and shared. We remember all that Jesus has done for us and that we belong to God. It is also a time to consider our unity to both past and present believers through our faith in Him. Find more information about communion (sometimes called the Eucharist) here.
Usually our ministers and helpers will give out bread and wine to those who come forward to the communion table. We use non-alcoholic wine. If you do not wish to take communion but would like to receive a blessing, please ask for this when you go forward.
Alternatively, the minister and helpers will bring bread and wine to those among us who are unable to go to the communion table. If you need help to go forward or would prefer to receive communion or a blessing in your seat, please tell the churchwarden or one of the welcome team.
Can I take communion?
Anyone who believes in and follows Jesus can take communion at St Saviour’s Church.
Can my child take communion?
Your child can take communion at St Saviour’s if he or she believes and follows Jesus. Alternatively, your child can receive a prayer of blessing.
Are there any refreshments before or after the services?
Most weeks during term-time we serve coffee and croissants in the Link between the 9am and 10.30am services, starting at about 9,30am.
There are also refreshments after the 10.30am service. Coffee and tea are served in both the Link and the church. Fruit squash is also available in the Link.
What toilet facilities are there?
There are two toilets between the Link and the crèche room, and further facilities in the church hall, upstairs and downstairs. There are also toilets at the back of the church.
Do I have to give money?
We often have a collection at our services, but it is entirely up to you whether to contribute. If you are just visiting, please do not feel you have to give any money at all – just come and receive. If you continue coming to St Saviour’s regularly, you can find out more about supporting through giving financially here.
How can I find out more and get connected?
We have a ‘Welcome’ area by the Link entrance, with comfy chairs and more information. We would love to meet you, so please come along and chat to one of our welcome team or staff. There’s a welcome pack, with information to take away about all aspects of church life.
If you would like a member of the team to get in touch, please fill in one of our welcome cards at church or contact our church office.
You can also find out more by attending one of our newcomer events. These usually consist of a meal and a chance to hear about what’s going on at St Saviour’s, as well as an opportunity to have a chat and get to know a few faces.
Contact our church office if you need any other information or help, and we will be happy to help.
How do I get involved with serving in this church?
We believe that everyone has a role to play in the life of the church – in the fullest sense of the word. We think it is important that we all discover and use our gifts in God’s service, and there are plenty of ways you can get involved here. Serving on a team can be so fulfilling, and is a great way to get to know people and feel part of the family. For more information, see Our teams.
How do I become a member of St Saviour’s?
Everyone attending St Saviour’s regularly is encouraged to register on St Saviour’s electoral roll and is invited to come to this meeting. Those people on the electoral roll are eligible to vote and to stand for election to the PCC. To join the electoral roll, download and complete the form here [link to document] and return it to the church office.
How do I hire your church hall?
We have a number of rooms available for hire. For more information, including hire costs and how to make a booking, please see Hall booking.
