Sunday In Cottingley
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
Our Sunday services are generally quite informal. We start at 11am and begin with a short time of quiet, just to become aware of God’s presence with us. We worship through singing songs, praying and sharing good news with each other. We hear some readings from the Bible, and someone (often a guest) will give a short talk about what they might mean for us today. We then pray, giving space for everyone to pray for themselves, for friends, family and others. We finish our service by being sent out to follow Jesus through the rest of the week.
Once each month we gather to share communion/ Mass/ Eucharist/ the Lord’s Supper together. I have given it many names here because it means different things to many of us, depending on our tradition. We welcome all to share together at this time.
The service is normally around an hour in length, after which we have coffee or tea (and very often biscuits!). Its at this point we chat, we like to keep an eye out to make sure that everyone feels included at this time.
Tuesday Prayer
Midweek in Cottingley
WHAT TO EXPECT
On Tuesdays we have a time of prayer starting at 10.15am.
We use some set words and our prayer diary (which helps us pray consistently for our local community), but there is also space to bring our own prayers and our prayer needs. We would love to pray with people as they feel the need.
This time lasts for around 45 minutes, after which we have coffee or tea together and spend some time enjoying each other’s company.
Special Services
Special Services
At Cottingley Church we like to mark points along people’s journeys of life and faith. Obvious markers are birth, coming to a decision to follow Jesus, marriage, and death. There are services which can mark any of these occasions.
For Children
We mark the gift of a new baby in one of two ways.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
In this service (which can be done as part of a normal Sunday service, or separately), we give thanks for the new baby, name the child before God, and pray for God’s blessing and protection on the child. For a detailed description click HERE for our information sheet.
BAPTISM
We also offer baptism for those who would like their children to be brought up as part of the family of faith. More information is available HERE. Baptism requires that families take seriously their commitment to bring children up as part of the church family, and we will work with you to decide what that involves for your family.
For people who want to follow Jesus
BAPTISM
We also would love to talk about baptising adults who have made a decision to follow Jesus. This is the traditional Christian way of marking our decision to live differently. Talk to Jude about baptism.
REAFFIRMING BAPTISM VOWS
Sometimes people who have been baptised, as children or adults, feel it is right to say again what baptism means for them. We can arrange for that to happen publically, we often do that at Easter, but talk to Jude about doing that at other times during the year too.
Marriages
We believe that people decided to live together as a couple is something that is serious and that requires commitment. We also believe that it is something where we all need God’s help. It is in this context that we would love to talk about marriage with couples from Cottingley. Again talk to Jude.
Funerals
After a death the normal first point of contact is with the funeral director. You can ask for a particular minister to take a funeral; and we are always on hand to talk with you if you are feeling the pain of having seen someone you love die.
We would also love to talk with you if you feel that it would be good to remember someone you love who has died in a different way. Talk to Jude about memorial services.
Children and Young People
On Sundays
Children are always welcome in our Sunday morning times of worship. At the moment we do not offer a separate Sunday school, but children are always welcomed and we aim to have some activities for them during the service.
In the week
Many primary school age children from Cottingley enjoy KIdzklub which meets in term time on a Tuesday. Click HERE, for more details about Kidzklub, its a really great way for young children to find out more about following Jesus.
For older children the Space group (a follow on from KIdzklub) meets in Cottingley on a Tuesday. Talk to Jude about this.
In the future
Jude is keen to get some work going in the week for pre schoolers and their parents. If you are interested, give her a call on 0113 277 0631.
Special Events
A Date for the Diary
Jude will be ordained to the priesthood on the evening of July 4th at St Mary’s Beeston.
If you would like to come please do let Jude know.
She will also celebrate communion for teh first time on the morning of July 11th and would love to see folk there!
Community Centre
Cottingley Church shares it premises with the community centre, which can be hired for events and activities.
The centre has a number of rooms which can be used, please do get in touch with the centre administrator on 0113 216 7788.
Prayer
We think prayer is very important as part of our life as a church. We want to pray for anyone who has a need, believeing that God answers prayer, even if its in ways we don’t understand.
There are lots of ways you can get involved in prayer: we gather on a Tuesday just to pray. We also publish a prayer diary which we would gladly pass on. You can also ask us to pray- either by dropping in on a Tuesday morning, by phoning or by texting on 07516 747718.