The Parish of
Berkswich
If you have not been to church before - don't worry, it is
easier than you think.
First you need to know where the church is. The Parish Church - Holy Trinity -
is located at the bottom end of Baswich Lane. We are close to the Coop shop and
on the same side of the road.
Most people first come to the 10.30 service which is held at Holy Trinity Church
every Sunday morning. The church is open all through the week through, from
10.00 until 12.00, so you can go in and look around at any time you like. The
church is kept open for quiet prayer and is used a lot by people who just want
to drop in and sit in a quiet place for a while.
If you come to a 10.30 service, the first persons you are likely to meet are the
sidespersons, who stand in the porch until just before the service begins, to
welcome people and to give you whatever service books you need. Usually you will
be given a hymn book, a service book, and a pew sheet. Find a seat anywhere in
the church - no seats are reserved. There is wheelchair space at the top end of
the church in the left (North) transept. There is also a play area if you have
children with you.
On most Sundays there is a meeting of the Junior Church in the church hall at
10.30 in parallel with the first part of the service in church. We all come
together for communion. Children are welcome to choose whether to go to the
Junior Church or remain with everyone else. We are relaxed about babies.
You will know that the service is about to begin as the main doors are opened
wide and a procession of people will come through - the congregation stands up
to greet them. These people are the altar servers (who help the service to run
smoothly), the choir (who sing sweetly) and the clergy. The person who is going
to be conducting the service comes in at the back. Usually it is the Vicar but
occasionally other people are involved.
The Vicar will greet everyone and the service is then
underway, all the details are in the service book which will tell you what is
going on all through the service. Although there is considerable variety during
the year, most of the services have the same basic shape which people get used
to after coming a few times.
You are unlikely to get lost in your service books, but if you
do, just ask someone who is near you to show you where we are - they will be
delighted to help.
No-one will single you out for anything special during the service. Most people
stand to sing and we generally sit or kneel to pray. If you belong to another
Church and normally receive communion there you are welcome to receive communion
at Holy Trinity. If you don't feel you want to receive the bread and wine, you
are encouraged to come to the altar, with your service book, along with everyone
else for a blessing. If you choose to remain in your seat, that is fine.
After the service there is usually coffee at the back of the church. You don't
have to come, but it is a good chance to meet people.
There are services at our other churches, St Thomas's Walton and All Saints Brocton. They operate on the same lines but at St Thomas' the Book of Common Prayer is used.