There are many aspects to our life at St Philip's: but our Sunday morning gatherings (at 9 and 10.30am) are at the heart of all we do. The 9am service is growing in popularity. This is always a Eucharistic service of Holy Communion. The morning service at 10.30am is the larger of the two, with a lovely spread of ages, from the newly born to 100 years old. There is a crèche and tweenies for pre-schoolers , and ESSO for older children and teenagers. There are usually two services at 10:30am, one modern but more traditional in the worship centre and one particularly for young families in the school hall. These vary according to the Sunday-of-the-Month, but there is always something for children young and old. We have a Youth Club - Choices, which meets once per month on a Friday evening. This is for high school aged children.
We normally have about 150 people in church on any given Sunday - which means group life is important, if 'belonging' is to mean anything. Church members meet during the week for various activities, including Bible study and prayer, and the Little Fishes Pram Service. There are also regular 'Alpha' courses, for people looking into what Christianity is all about, and other events from time to time aimed at those who are just looking. Members of St Philip's also enjoy a good social life, from barbeques and barn dances to evening suppers and quiz nights.
A church exists for the benefit of its non-members. We see ourselves as being here for the local community and town, and very much a part of it. For all our weaknesses - which are many! - our conviction is that the local church is the hope of the world, because Jesus Christ is at its centre.