Pastoral care and services
We currently offer support for:
Follow this link for web site offering some ideas for prayer
Help NeededDo you love people and have three hours free on Thursday mornings?
If you can answer 'yes' - you are just the person we are looking for!
Due to the popularity of St. Andrew's Church Toddler Drop-in we need two more special people to join our friendly team of volunteers on Thursday mornings. If you would like to be one of them, please contact the Church Office. It could be the best call you make today!
Vine Counselling Services
(Charity: 1117796)
- covering the areas of Banwell,Churchill,Congresbury,Langford, Sandford,Winscombe, Wrington and Yatton
‘We believe Christ seeks to meet all people at their point of need, and to help people grow into wholeness’
NEWSLETTER
Please read or download the latest Newsletter
A Prayer for Vine Counselling Services
"Dear Lord
We ask you to bless, support and equip all who have given so much of their time, energy, dedication and gifts in so many differing ways so far to Vine Counselling Services.
Enable us all to take the next step into being, protect and guide us so that the project can play its own unique part, alongside the work of others, to bring your compassion, love and healing to all who seek to find rest under the canopy of its branches.
And may the project be but one expression of your continuing desire to bring healing and wholeness to our wider community, not just to people ‘out there’ but also as a living and challenging call to all your people for that same healing and compassion to be at work in our own lives, both individually and as your whole Church, so that we too, in due season, may be made whole and holy as you yourself are in love and glory Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen"
Project Manager, Vine Counselling Services
c/o The Refectory, St Andrew’s Church, Station Road, Congresbury, BS49 5DX.
Telephone 01934 876377
Vine Counselling is an Euchmenical Local Ministry Group project and is run independently of St Andrew's Church
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Weekly services
Wednesday MorningsOn the first Wednesday of the month,there will be a 'Home Group' in Church starting at 9am.
This will be followed by Coffee at 9.40am and then the Midweek Holy Communion will start at 10am.
The communion service on other Wednesdays will begin at 9.00am
Please note the two NEW Services:NEW Cafe Communion Service – 2nd Sunday @ 6.30 in the evening: this is designed to encourage those who enjoy a less structured approach to worship. The service involves a simple discussion over a cup of coffee to begin with, a time of worship and prayer, and then the breaking of bread together. An easy way into worship for everyone.
NEW Family Communion Service – 3rd Sunday @10.30 in the morning: this service seeks to enable children and young people to take part fully throughout the whole time of the Church meeting together, one of the key recommendations of Children @ Communion. Over the months we hope to encourage children and young people to play an active role in many parts of the service. There will be Coffee afterwards but, of course, no Sunday School.
In addition, from time to time we hope to have a number of one-off Sunday evening services as and when a body of enthusiasm grows. These can range from Praise Services to Worship in the Prayer garden to Traditional Evensong.
14th March4th Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday| 8:00am | 1662 Holy Communion | Rev Matthew Thomson |
| 10:30am | Morning Worship | Rev Matthew Thomson |
| 6:30pm | Cafe Communion with Film Night | Rev Matthew Thomson |
Main Services in Church during the coming weeks...21st March - 5th Sunday of Lent8.00am - 1662 Holy Communion - Rev Matthew Thomson
10.30am - Family Communion - Rev Matthew Thomson
3.00pm - Baptisms
28th March - Palm Sunday8.00am - 1662 Holy Communion - Rev Matthew Thomson
10.30am - Holy Communion - Rev Matthew Thomson
- (Service begins on Millenium Green)
- No Sunday School
6:30 pm - Holy Communion - Rev Matthew Thomson
FamiliesFamilies with very young children are very welcome at any service. If during the service you need to feed, change or entertain your child, the vestry at the back of the church has changing facilities, a comfy chair for feeding and toddler toys available for your use.
You are warmly welcome to stay for refreshments after the 10:30 Sunday morning service and wednesday morning Communion.An opportunity for personal prayer is available during Communion, and after services, in the Merle Chapel. There will be someone available to pray with you either for yourself or for others and will be fully confidential.
There is also a prayer book in the Merle Chapel for use by anyone. These prayers are read and used during the week in the Daily Prayer time.
Help for transport to ChurchDo you have a spare seat in your car if you drive to Church on Sunday or Wednesday?
If you do, could you possibly offer a lift to someone who is unable to get to Church because of lack of transport?
If you would like to help to do this, please phone Karen Bailey(01934 852103)
Our Normal Pattern of Sunday ServicesFamily Serivice1st SundayFirst Sunday in the month in the Afternoon (4.00pm Service followed by 4.30pm simple Children’s Tea Party at the back of the Church) The aim is to provide a simple service, open to all, with a focus for the under 10’s. Anyone willing to be involved and to help please speak to Rosemary, Karen or Matthew.
Sunday Morning Worship at 10.30am:This will now follow a pattern of alternating between Communion Services (1st & 4th & 5th), Family Communion (3rd)and a Morning Worship Service (2nd) the latter providing the opportunity to explore the Bible readings in a bit more depth or to welcome guest speakers.
Sunday School at 10:30amWe are very fortunate to have a really committed group of Sunday School Teachers and they will provide a Sunday School for three out of the four Sundays a month. 3rd Sunday no Sunday school but Family communion in Church.
Sunday 1662 Holy Communion at 8:00amEvery SundayMaintaining and sharing in the richness and the beauty of the traditional language.
Sunday Evening Communion Services at 6.30pm2nd(Cafe Communion) and 4th(CW Communion) SundaysThese are becoming more informal and more like a ‘homegroup’ in its style. Rather than a sermon as such we tend to look at the Bible reading together, sharing our thoughts and our questions. A great service especially if you don’t get a chance to go to a ‘homegroup’ mid-week.
Compline at 6:30pm
5th SundayA simple, gentle service traditionally shared at the ending of the day.
Midweek Services.Monday - 9.00am - Daily Prayer
Tuesday - 9.00am - Daily Prayer
Wednesday - 9.00am - Holy Communion followed by Coffee
Wednesday - 7.00pm - Holy Communion
Thursday - 9.00am – Daily Prayer
Friday - 9.00am - Daily Prayer
On special occasions and festivals the format of services may differ, details can be found in the events section.
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Church groups
See below for details of all the Church's adult, youth and toddler groups:
Welcome to St Andrew’s Homegroup Programme.
Homegroups are a great opportunity to meet together in friendship and learn from each other. Maybe you have questions that you would like to discuss further, maybe you can help provide answers for other people’s questions.
Below are details of when and where the homegroups meet. If you don’t currently belong to a homegroup but would like to, please call Kay Friend on 01934 838185 to find out more or contact the Group leaders direct.
Mondays 10:30am
Helen Jenkins
We are a group of women from different churches – C of E, Baptist, Free Church and Roman Catholic, to study the bible. We use the Women in Communication study books – the Know Your Bible courses. We are currently studying ‘Finding the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.’
Mondays 8pm
Cherida & Ian Stobart
01934 833126
We will be discussing the thoughts and issues raised from reading the Christian bestseller ' The Shack' - a fictional book about one man's encounter with God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) that has been quite a talking point.This is an informal group aimed at busy people who maybe cannot make it every time. We chat, study and pray together - and there's an open fire!
Tuesdays 8pm:-
Jan Martin - 01934 838964
Jan’s group is unfortunately, currently full. It meets on Tuesday evenings and the new topic/book to be discussed will be revealed on the first evening.
Tuesdays 7:30pm:-
Barry & Joan Hogarth 01934 833722
We haven't got a definite start date yet, but we would expect to start towards the end of October. The meeting will be fortnightly on Tuesday starting at 19:30 at our house.
We will probably be looking at a book called "Windows on Christmas" by Bill Crowder, incorporating the "Music and Meditation" theme started by Jean Day. We will finally agree what we will be doing at our first meeting
Thursday Evening:-
Enid Myram
01934 832691
It would be useful to know who would like to come and if you would prefer afternoon or evening. We would welcome new members of any age.
The theme is to look at the richness in Christian Poetry.
Or contact the Church Office for further details.
Youth and Children’s Work
Sunday Mornings - “Explorer’s I, II”
Sunday School: Explorers I and II
Sunday mornings at 10.30am see the children and young people involved in the life of the Church. They are a vital part of our Church family and as such they join us for the beginning and end of the services, leaving to have their own teaching during the middle.
They learn about the Christian faith and the Bible, using a wide variety of crafts and activities – we have a very creative team of leaders! Music, games and the inevitable crafts bring to life Bible stories and teach key themes. They rarely leave without something to take home!
There is no Sunday School on the first Sunday of the month, but the children go out to watch a DVD, and there is a Family Service at 4pm on that afternoon. There is also no Sunday School during the school holidays
Friday Evenings - “Rock Solid” and "StAnd Firm"
We have two Youth Clubs for secondary school age kids. Rock Solid, is for yr 7 to yr 9, and St.And Firm, as it’s now been renamed, is for yr 10 upwards. They play a vital role in the youth work of our church.
The young people enjoy a packed programme of fun, games and Christian teaching on a Friday night, Rock Solid running from 6.30-8.15pm and St.And Firm from 7.45-9.30pm, the two groups overlapping for tuck time.
Youth For Christ (YFC) supply all the material and we choose which parts to follow. The evening is mostly made up of group games often played in teams. These are very interactive, fast-paced and sometimes messy! Needless to say the kids love them!
It’s not just about fun, however, as each game is meant to draw out a specific point or theme for the evening, which is based on sound biblical and moral teaching.
During the evening we have a very popular ‘Tuck Shop’ selling sweets and juice, which gives the kids (and adults!) a breather and time to hang out together.
All in all, they have a great time and let off some steam after a long week of school, see their friends and hear about God in the process… and it works as they keep coming back for more!
The leaders also regularly organise fun evenings as well as trips and excursions. These vary from ice-skating, ten-pin bowling, to crazy film nights in the Refectory. Each club night begins at 7pm and finishes at 9pm.
‘Rock Solid is proud of its Christian routes and always aims to create a loving, caring, Christian environment, with an adult team who are committed to the young people’s safety and well-being.
If you would like any more information about the youth and children’s work at St Andrew’s, please feel free to contact
Andy or Becky Stevens, our youth and Children’s workers on (01934) 833126.
Outlook
Monday afternoons, 2nd Monday of month
Venue – The Refectory unless otherwise stated
Time – 2.30 – 4.15pm
For those 50 years and upwards. Outlook meets for fellowship and fun, with guest speakers and occasional local outings. For those who find it difficult to get about, transport courtesy of ‘Bluey’ is available.
Meetings are from 2.30pm - 4.15 unless otherwise stated.
Go to the events page for currently planned meetings.
Phone Barbara Patterson (838164) or Monica White on 833850 for transport or for more information.
Men's night out
Meet in the Plough Inn, Congresbury for a pint and a chat, last Thursday of the month from 8.00pm. More details from Matt on 01934 833126
Girls' Night In
Calling all Ladies of the Church !!!
Girl's Night in is branching out !!
2008 - 2009
Please join us for our new programme of nights out and nights in...
Wednesday Evenings once a month!!
May 21st- Fish and chip supper on Weston beach- bus there and back. Bad weather plan - quiz night at the Vicarage.
June 18th -Skittles Rec club 7.30pm.
July 23rd- BBQ at Julies House – Bring meat/veggie and a bottle.
September 24th -Croquet @ the Vicarage
October 29th -Recipe Night at Carol’s house (19 Cobthorn Way)– bring a dish to share and its recipe.
November 26th -Cinema Night at the Vicarage. Popcorn provided.
December 10th -Meal out for Xmas- Soustas Menu and deposit to be confirmed in September.
January 28th- Chocolate night in at Becky Dowling’s house (17 Stonewell Grove) bring your leftover Christmas chocolates.
February 25th- Games night at the Vicarage - quiz, bingo, cards etc – bring a prize.
March 25th- Out for meal– Squires
April 29th- Planning evening in at the Vicarage.
Any nights ‘in’ start at 8pm and bring a bottle of your chosen drink!!
For Details of each event see Pew News OR
phone/e-mail Carol on 01934 838172 carol@mottlot.co.uk
Toddler Drop-In
For all parents and carers of children under three years old... St. Andrew’s Church Toddler Drop-in
Thursday mornings (term time)
between
9.15 and 11.45am
In
St Andrew’s Church - Refectory
This is a Toddler Group with a difference and will allow you to have some time enjoying activities with other adults (while the children are care for in a creche), as well as time with the children and will include a short time for Christian prayer and songs suitable for the under-threes. The Drop-in is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and admission is free.
For more information or to book a place phone 01934 852103 (Wed evening 6:00 - 10:00pm) (or contact the Church Office - 01934 833126)
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How to find us
How to find us
Congresbury is a village of about 3500 inhabitants. It is situated in the County of North Somerset approximately 14 miles SW of Bristol, 10 miles east of Weston-Super-Mare, and about 6 miles from the M5 motorway.
The Church is situated at the top of Church Drive, a small turning off the A370 road in the village
The parish also includes the small communities of Puxton and Hewish, which lies a few miles down the A370 towards Weston-Super-Mare. These are now joint parishes with Congresbury and our incumbent has the additional responsibility for these populations, which number some 350 souls. There is still a small Church at Puxton, a grade 1 listed building, which is now in the hands of the Churches Conservation Trust.
The address of the Church office is:-
The Church Office,
St. Andrew’s Church,
Station Road,
Congresbury,
BS49 5DX
The Church Office is to be found, adjacent to the car park at the top of the Church drive, in the North West corner of the Churchyard.
mailto:admin.standrews@tiscali.co.uk
The Church Location
The Parish Map
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