If you are visiting St. John's for the first time, you probably have lots of questions. We have tried to cover most of these on this page, but if there is anything else you want to know, please get in contact with us.
I’m new to Church
During the Service
Special Needs
What about Children?
Anything Else?
I’m new to Church
How do I find you?
More details about where we are including how to get here, where to park and which door to use are available here.
Do I need to be a Christian to go to Church?
No! Everyone is welcome at St. John’s regardless of whether you would call yourself a Christian or what you believe. At St. John’s you will find a warm welcome and a place where you can explore the Christian faith at a pace that suits you.
I’m from another denomination – am I still welcome?
Of course you are! We believe there is only one Jesus and he only has one Church – it just comes in different flavours. St. John’s is part of the Church of England so if you are from a different denomination you may find some of our traditions and practices different from what you are used to. If this is the case, please do ask us to explain them so we can help you feel at home.
Do I need to come every week?
No! You are welcome to come as little or as often as you like. You will really experience the benefit of being part of a Christian community however if you come regularly.
Can I just visit?
Yes! Visitors are always welcome at St. John’s regardless of whether you are passing through Ealing or a local checking us out.
What should I wear?
We are an informal church and most people dress casually.
Are people friendly?
People consistently tell us that St. John’s is a friendly church with a warm welcome plus we have a dedicated welcome team and a welcome pack to help you quickly feel at home.
How long will the service last?
STJOHNS@TEN usually lasts around one and a half hours. On Sundays where there are no children’s groups the services last one hour. Café Church usually lasts an hour and a quarter. The Maze lasts one hour with social activities afterwards finishing at 9:30pm.
What happens if I am late?
We try to start our services on time but don’t worry if you are late. You will still find a warm welcome and our welcome team will help you find a seat.
What’s the seating like?
We have chairs rather than pews and have arranged the seating in short rows making it easier to get in and out of your seat.
During the Service
Will I know what to do?
Our services have an informal feel and the service leader will guide the congregation when to stand and sit. There are no song books or prayer books to worry about – any words that you need are projected onto the screen.
Will I have to participate?
At STJOHNS@TEN most of the participation is through singing or saying prayers together. Very occasionally we break into small groups for a few minutes of prayer or discussion but you don’t need to participate in this if you would feel uncomfortable doing so. Our Café Church service is held in a café style with round tables seating about 6 people. After a short talk there will be an opportunity for discussion and to share any prayer needs and to pray for one another.
What is communion?
Communion, sometimes called The Eucharist or The Lord's Supper, is a symbolic meal of bread and wine, which reminds us of Jesus words at the last meal he shared with his followers before his death and resurrection. It is a sacrament in which we are strengthened to follow Jesus by God’s grace.
Can anyone take communion?
In the Church of England, anyone who has been baptised (sometimes called “christened”) in the name of the Holy Trinity and who desires to live their lives following Jesus may receive the bread and wine. At St. John’s baptised children of any age may receive communion. If you haven’t been baptised, or you do not wish to share in the bread and wine, you may still come forward to receive a personal prayer of blessing. If you would like to be baptised, please speak to one of the clergy. There's more information on baptisms here.
When does communion happen?
At STJOHNS@TEN we have communion services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. Communion Services are also held at Café Church and The Maze on an occasional basis.
Do I have to put money in the collection?
No – just pass the collection bag on to the next person. You won’t be alone as many of our regular congregation will also do this as they tend to give by Standing Order.
What kind of hymns do you sing?
We use a wide selection of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs. These are usually played by a small worship band (piano, guitar, bass, drums etc).
Do you wear robes?
No, our clergy don’t usually robe.
Can I leave early?
Of course. No one will mind if you have to leave before the service finishes.
Are there refreshments after the service?
Yes and you are most welcome to stay after the service for tea and coffee in the church Lounge.
Special Needs
Is there a ramp?
Yes, access to the church for wheelchairs and buggies is via a ramp to the main doors at the Mattock Lane / Broomfield Place junction. There is also a ramp to the crypt from Broomfield Place.
Is there a hearing loop?
Yes, the hearing loop covers all the seating area in the church and is connected to the church sound system.
Is there a wheelchair accessible toilet?
Yes, we have a wheelchair accessible toilet with access from the church Lounge (and one in the crypt).
Are there Braille songbooks?
Yes, we have some songbooks available in Braille, although these do not cover the more recently written songs we now use.
What about Children?
Are my kids welcome
Everyone is welcome at St. John’s including children. STJOHNS@TEN is the service which is especially suitable for families with children of all ages. Our two evening services are more specialised and there is no special provision for children at our Cafe Church service (Sundays at 5:45pm). The Maze service (Sunday's at 7:30pm) is our youth congregation for 13 to 19 year olds only.
What happens to my children?
On most Sundays during term time the STJOHNS@TEN service starts with everyone together in the main church for about 20 minutes (40 minutes if it’s a communion Sunday), then children and young people leave for their own groups geared towards their own ages and needs. These groups are held in the Crypt and we have people on hand each Sunday to show you where to go. Children and Young People return at the end of the service, for refreshments. You can read more about our children's groups (which we call Buzz Groups) here. On your first Sunday your child’s group leader will ask you to complete a registration form, so we have all the relevant details about your child to hand.
Is there a crèche?
Yes, the crèche runs at the same time as the Buzz Groups.
My child is noisy?
Don’t worry! This is something most parents worry about and most other people don’t notice. If you are concerned that your child is disturbing others you are welcome to take your child out to the Lounge where the service is relayed via a loudspeaker. We also encourage you to take your child to their age specific group at the relevant time as the second half of the service is geared towards the needs of adults. If you have a babe in arms it is fine to stand and walk about at the back of the church too.
My child won’t sit still?
Again don’t worry! You can sit on the end of a row where there is space at the side of the church for your child to move around, or make use of the Lounge if necessary.
Can I get my child baptised?
Yes and you can read more details here.
Anything Else
Can I go up the tower?
There is a fantastic view from the top of the tower and we run regular trips to the top during our church open weekend each September.
Will you try to convert me?
We believe that we have a fantastic message to share. A message of how much God loves you and how he is longing to have a relationship with you. We hope that you will discover this good news at St. John’s and are committed to helping you to do that. Through our Sunday services and mid-week activities we try to live and tell what it means to know the love of God and to encourage others to do the same. But we don’t use high pressure tactics to do this as we believe the message speaks for itself.
Can I get baptised?
Yes and you can read more details here.
I don’t speak English well?
You would still be welcome among us. Although our services are in English, God meets with us in our hearts and our prayer would be that you would meet with him. At Café Church we often have a table of Polish speakers.
Will someone pray for me?
There is an opportunity to receive personal prayer at the end of each service where our prayer team will listen to you and pray for any needs you have.
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