What to expect...
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You may feel that visiting a new church for the first time is daunting. What will it be like? Will I be made welcome? I don't want to be smothered. Will I be the only person under eighty? Will they expect me to conform? Do I have to part with money? And children - how will they fit in? Does everyone speak in whispers? Do you have to get all dressed up? Am I welcome even if I don't believe?

I need to tell you that we are working very hard to make visiting us an enjoyable experience, even relaxing. This is an idea of what to expect.
Eastern Good Companions Club, EGC, is the building that we use for worship on a Sunday morning. When you arrive at EGC you will find parking alongside and in front of the building or at La Mare car park on the coast road nearby. The service starts at 10.15am and most people come  around 10.00am in order to get the doughnuts!
Sorry, did you say doughnuts? Yes, we are a cafe-style church and we serve refreshments before and after the service. Actually, it isn't doughnuts every week- mince pies, croissants, hot cross buns could be on the menu instead.

Come along and see what's on next week!
 
As you arrive you will be greeted at the entrance by a welcome steward and be given a sheet detailing the service and notices of events happening in the next week or so. Shaun, or whoever is welcome steward, will find you a seat if you wish. Should you have children you can sit with them throughout the service or they can go out with the Sunday School if they wish. Someone is bound to come up and say hello!

You will note that people are dressed comfortably and everything is relaxed.
The service usually begins with some gentle music and everyone is invited to join in an opening song. We often start with a few songs linked together to enable people to come into a sense of worship and think about the wonder and goodness of God. We use both traditional and contemporary songs. Some Sundays are "interactive" all-age services when everyone stays together. On these occasions members of the congregation are encouraged to use their own particular gifts in these services so you could see quite a few different faces at the front.
These services last about 75 minutes and there will be singing, drama, bite size prayers and teaching. On other Sundays everyone is together for opening worship and sharing of news and prayer. This lasts about 30 minutes and then the children move into the adjoining hall for activities and teaching, which is geared to their ages. The adults then have a time of worship, prayer and teaching given by the preacher for the day. We do aim for the teaching to be relevant, and interesting. A crèche operates each Sunday for the little ones.
Once a month we incorporate a Communion service. Communion (also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) is a Christian celebration of the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the world. Everyone is welcome to share in receiving the bread and wine, of whatever background and faith (or lack of it). A steward will invite people to come forward to stand or kneel at the platform and receive from the minister a small piece of bread (representing the broken body of Christ) and then a small glass cup of non alcoholic wine (representing the blood of Christ shed on the cross for our sins and the promise made by Christ to Christian believers). The minister and his assistant will bring the bread and wine around to people at their seats so there is no need to move. If you wish to receive the bread and wine then you simply cup your hands, if you do not wish to receive then you can keep your hands down and the minister will understand.
 
An offering is taken during each service but, as many give through bank account transfers, not everyone places money in the offering bag. We do not expect guests to make an offering unless they specifically wish to. Please do not feel that you have to make any contribution.
After the service, tea, coffee and cold drinks are served at the back of the church. This enables the children to let off steam in the lounge or the nearby playground and for some sense of order and tranquillity to remain with the adults. We hope you will stay around and meet people from the congregation. Church is about God and worship, but it's about community and friendship too, so we hope people really experience warmth and friendliness of Samares.