St. Anne's

About St. Anne's

The thought of coming to church can feel more than a little daunting. You will probably have a number of questions and reasons why it’s not a good idea.  We have highlighted some common reasons why people worry about attending, and tried to provide some reassurance that it might be better than you fear!
1.    “I won’t know what to do”
Nor do we sometimes (you should see Rev Dave at times!), but we’ll help you and not try to catch you out. And anyway, who cares if someone sits down when everyone else is standing up! This is about worship not rules.

2.    “I don’t know anybody”
That’ll last until you walk through the door – there’s always a welcoming face on the door and ready to say ‘Hi!’  We’re just the same as you – local people from in and around the area – and cannibalism died out round here a few years back .

3.    “Ten years ago, someone at a church somewhere was really awful to me”
That’s really bad, and we’re sorry you experienced that.  We’re Christians, yes, and we try our best, but like everyone else we sometimes make mistakes and would love for you to come and give us a chance to make that up to you.

4.    “My kids will be too noisy”
Great; we love noisy children: each one created uniquely in the image of God.  And anyway, Rev Dave is really noisy too – and they give him a microphone!

5.    “I can’t come to Church until I get my life together”
Church is HOW we get our life together;  a place for new beginnings and a place for belonging.

6.    “Church is filled with a bunch of Hypocrites”
CORRECT! See point 3,  and there’s plenty of room for more – imperfect people are especially welcome.

7.    “Is there some kind of Dress Code?”
YES.  Come as you are and wear what you want but PLEASE wear something! Rev Dave is mostly in a pair of jeans – until they make him wear a cassock (that’s religious speak for dress!)

8.    “I’m not sure I believe everything you believe”
Absolutely FINE!  But you can still belong and be part of a group of people journeying together to learn how to love God and each other.  Doubters are always very welcome and sincere questions are never wrong.

9.    “If you knew me, and what I’ve done, you wouldn’t want me”
See point 3 – If you knew us, and what we’ve done, you wouldn’t be worried.  Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian message – and what we remember at Easter is, that no matter what, we are all forgiven children of God. It’s OK to not be OK.

10.    “I’m not Church of England”
SO?  We might have a few funny quirks and ways of doing things but we believe that church is not about a religion – it’s about relationship: relationship with God and relationship with each other.

There are probably other reasons too but maybe now is the time to have another think about why you might not come to church and come and give us a chance to maybe change your view. We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!