New to Church?
Welcome, we are glad you have decided to join us at St John's!
Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our church.
We know that arriving at a new place can be an intimidating. That's why we'd like to put your mind at ease by helping you to plan your first time here. When you arrive at church, please introduce yourself to a member of the welcome team or staff who would love to chat and introduce you to some more people.
If you would prefer, send us an email and let us know you are coming and how we can help you when you arrive.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
Where & when do we meet?
Regular Sunday and weekday services at St John's, Stanmore
SUNDAY
8.00am: Said Holy Communion
9.30am: Parish Holy Communion (1st Sunday: All Age Holy Communion)
Junior Church meet in Church House, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Junior Church games takes place in Church House every 3rd Sunday from 2-3pm.
5.00pm Engage (Second Sunday of the month)
TUESDAY
10.30am: Said Common Worship Holy Communion (1st, 3rd and 5th week)
Book of Common Prayer (2nd and 4th week)
Church Address:
St John the Evangelist
Rectory Lane
Stanmore
Middlesex HA7 4AQ
You can see a map on our Contact Us page.
What should I expect when I visit the church?
We hope that you will always feel welcome at St. John’s but walking into a church for the first time can be daunting. Here are some handy hints:
Come on in
We are used to meeting new people and delighted to welcome you. We have a Welcome Team, who are members of the church. Ask them anything you want to about the service. We will give you the hymn books or leaflets you will need and there will be a bible in the pew. You can sit wherever you like, there are no reserved seats in the church, if you want to sit near the back that is fine, so is sitting on the front row! We usually stand to sing, and sit or kneel to pray but it really is more about how you feel comfortable; there is no "right or wrong" way. The person leading the service will usually ask those present to stand or sit etc; but just watch what everyone else does.
Communion
The service will probably involve "Communion"; receiving the bread and wine. One of our churchwardens will come to the end of your pew and tell you when it is time to go up. The choir receive communion first, and then it is the front rows of the church, then the second row etc, but someone will tell you. You do not have to go up for communion if you don't want to. We go up to the altar steps and hold out our hands to receive with your palms facing upwards, just watch other people if you are not sure. You will have the bread first and then the wine. If you are a member of the Christian Church of whatever denomination and are used to receiving communion, then you are welcome to receive it with us, but if that is not right for you then please still come up to the rail but keep your hands down and we will know to just give you a blessing. There is no pressure to go up for communion and if you don't want to you don't have to.
Afterwards
The 9:30 am service on a Sunday lasts until about 10.30 am. Then we offer tea, coffee or squash afterwards at our little "cafe" at Church House, and sometimes a stall selling fair-trade products. This is a time for people that go to the church to have a chat. If you are new to the church follow the crowd, Church House is a few moments walk away. If you are new people will be happy to chat to you. We welcome children of any ages.
Finally; It is very good to laugh at the jokes in the sermon, and is positively encouraged by the rector!
Junior Church
Junior Church is available for children in Pre-School to Year 6, with a crèche for babies, toddlers and their parents. Junior Church and the crèche takes place in Church House, Old Church Lane, Stanmore, HA7 2QX.
We have an all-age service on the first Sunday of the month and the children take an active part in the service, reading, serving and leading the prayers. During communion a child helps distribute of bread and grapes as a symbol of our desire for all children to be included.
Junior Church also attends the whole service on special occasions such as Harvest, Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Dedication Festival and Easter. For details of our Junior Church please follow the link to Children's Ministry. Junior Church games take place every 3rd Sunday in Church House from 2-3pm. Everyone is welcome to come along!
Junior Church is staffed by DBS checked leaders and helpers all of whom have up to date DBS checks in place in line with the Diocese of London's Safeguarding Policy which we follow closely. For more information on our Safeguarding Policy please Click Here.
For more information contact the Parish Office 020 8954 7064 or by using the online form found in the contacts section of this site.
Is there a dress code?
No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes.
Will I have to join in?
Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.
Glossary of Terms
Please click here to read some terms you may hear during your time in church.
I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.
Please feel free to Contact Us.