Summary of Services

Holy Communion

Suitable for all – children’s activities available in St. Helen’s Church Darley Dale and St. John’s Church Winster.
Where – all three Churches
Duration - normally 55 minutes sometimes just over 1 hour

This is the oldest way Christians pray and praise God. It goes back to the ‘Last Supper’. If you want to look at this in the Bible it’s in the following (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; and John 13:1-30.)

Most Christians, believe that something very special happens when we gather to bless the Bread and Wine. We believe that Jesus becomes present among us to bring healing, compassion, forgiveness and a real call to serve people in our world, not just other Christians but everyone.

There are lots of ways to celebrate Communion from a formal traditional service to a very informal relaxed way. All are legitimate and reverent. Everything you need to follow the service will be on the screen (at St. Helen’s) or in booklets or leaflets.

There are lots of names for the Communion  - The Mass, The Holy Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion.

Everyone is very welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Evensong/ Evening Prayer

This is less suitable for children but all are very welcome
Where- St. Mary’s South Darley
Duration - 45 minutes

(We have Choral Sung Evensong 3 times a year)

This is based on the way monks used to pray in the past. It comes near the end of a day when we use the same things (psalms, readings etc.) with different prayers and we, basically, put the worries and anxieties of the day into the hands of God. It’s often quieter and more relaxing than morning prayer.

Cafe Church

Suitable for all – children’s activities available in St. Helen’s Church and           St. John’s Church.
Where – St. John’s at the moment
Duration - 30/50 minutes

This is normally very informal and as of the end of 2023 onwards we have this mainly at St. John’s in Winster. This is a great service to dip your toe into prayer and church.

Morning Prayer

Suitable for all – children’s activities available in St. Helen’s Church and St. John’s Church.
Where – all three Churches
Duration-  45/55 minutes

This can be a more traditional service or it can be a simple service based on the Celtic tradition or the Northumberland tradition (to look at these traditions check the Iona Community or the Northumberland Community). From the beginning of the Church Christians prayed in a style based on their Jewish tradition using songs, psalms, Bible readings & prayers.
 

New Beginnings

Suitable for all. Especially non Christians, people who want to reconnect with their faith and for everyday Christians who want to look at their faith anew.
There are also things for the children to do.
Where – St. Helen’s
Duration - 1 hour

This service is a time of prayer and praise and is less structured than more traditional worship. It can work for people who are very new to church and for long time Christians. The musical style is contemporary and lead mostly by the Worship Group. There is often more contemporary language and less older churchy language. There is a mixture of themes which are rooted more in today’s world. Here there is a mixture of sharing ones views and looking at faith in a new way.

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Open Door

Suitable for children, seekers and questioners and families
Where – St. Helen’s Churches
Duration - 1 hour but you can drop in and out as you wish

This is a service which started off for young people with SENs and those who couldn’t cope with the formality of traditional church. It’s worship in a modern way and is person centred. As this service has developed many adults and families have started to receive much from this relaxed way of praying. During this time there is a drop in cafe for people who want a drink or a chat with someone.

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