A warm hello from Neil and everyone at Wolston Baptist Church - a guide to our activities
Whether you’ve just moved in to the village or been here for years, we’d like to invite you to join in the activities here at Wolston Baptist Church. Whoever you are, and whatever your background, we’ll make you most welcome.
We have a range of activities throughout the week that will suit different ages and interests, and we also have social events throughout the year: concerts, meals, skittles evenings and so on. This booklet gives details of the regular meetings but you will also find information in the monthly village magazine, the ‘Avon Grapevine’.
The church is easy to find, very conveniently located right in the village centre, opposite the shops. There are steps at the front, but the entrance at the side gives easy access to those with mobility problems or who use walking frames or wheelchairs.
Hopefully you will find everything you need on these pages but if you need further information do please call us on the numbers here.
Sunday Services Our Sunday services start at 11.00 and last about an hour, a little longer when we have Holy Communion, a little shorter for the all-age services.
The style varies from service to service but is typically relaxed but reverent. We use a mix of hymns and modern songs, with the words projected on to a screen. Printed large-print copies are available on request.
We celebrate Communion on the first and third Sundays of each month.
Children are welcome at all of our services and there is a play corner for the younger children.
All-age Worship
On the second Sunday of each month, we have a service that is aimed at people of all ages, with special emphasis on the youngsters. The service begins at 11.00 as usual, but from 10.30 we have “welcome” time with tea and coffee, squash and cakes and biscuits.
The service includes games and crafts and lively songs, but there is always a theme and a short message to help people of all ages and backgrounds to understand what God has done and is still doing in our world.
Prayer
Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life, and we believe that God hears and helps when we ask in faith. Intercessory prayer is part of every church service, and we also pray in home groups and prayer triplets. There is a prayer diary each month to ensure that everyone is prayed for on a regular basis. We also have a prayer chain to enable several people to pray for an urgent need as quickly as possible, plus prayer triplets that meet every week or two to pray for the regular needs and activities.
We’re very happy to pray for people who are not a regular part of the church. If you are going through a tough time and need some support, please feel free to call our minister, Neil, on (024) 7654 1884. All calls will be treated in confidence.
Weddings, Funerals and ‘Baptisms’
We are here to support you through the big events that mark our passage through life. Please talk to our minister to arrange a wedding, or ask the funeral director to contact him for a service either at the church or the local crematorium or burial ground.
As a Baptist Church, we have a different view on baptism, and rather than ‘baptise’ or ‘christen’ babies and young children, we have a short ceremony to give thanks for them and to bless them and name them. This takes place within a normal Sunday service, and can be arranged through our minister.
Oasis Coffee Morning
Oasis is our weekly coffee morning, held in the church building from 10.00 until 12.00 every Monday. Good quality coffee and tea are served, along with biscuits and teacakes. Squash is also available for children. Books are on sale, and there is usually a stall selling cakes, preserves, or jewellery. It’s a great place to meet people and make new friends.
Oasis is open to everyone, and is well-attended by the local community.
Bible Study or ‘Home’ Groups
We have a number of groups that meet for fellowship, prayer and Bible study each week. They meet in people’s homes at different times and days of the week so that there is flexibility for everyone to find a group that suits their timetable.
Each group is different, enabling the needs of the group members to be met in an appropriate way.
Why not try one of these groups out for yourself? Ask our minister for details and meeting times.
‘Focus’, a social activity
On Thursday afternoons we have ‘Focus’, a time for fun as we play Scrabble and Uno and other games. It’s very light-hearted, with a lot of laughter. It begins at 2.00 and finishes around 4.30. There’s a small charge of £1 to cover tea and biscuits or cake. Come in by the side door, we meet in the lounge.
Knitting and Needlecraft Group
Started as a get-together for people interested in knitting, the range of interests has expanded as members share their experience and get others to try new skills. It’s a great place to learn and get help, whether you’re a complete beginner or just struggling with a new technique or difficult pattern.
There is a ‘lending library’ of books, patterns, needles and accessories, plus a store of wool that members have donated.
As well as personal projects, the group has supported a number of charities, knitting clothes for premature babies, blankets for the Salvation Army, and hats and scarves for homeless people at the Rugby shelter.
The group meet from 10.00 to 12.00 on second and fourth Thursday mornings in the lounge, so come in via the side door. Meeting dates can be found in the ‘Avon Grapevine’ - our parish magazine, or through one of the contacts listed here.
Note: For archive copies of the ‘Avon Grapevine’ look here.