Church Profile
Parish
St. Andrew's is a residential parish with a population of approximately 6,000. The parish has a good cross section of mixed ages and this is reflected in our congregation. We have a very supportive congregation who are willing to put their talents into the running of the parish.Bedonwell Primary Schools (the largest in the borough) are within our parish and we are pastorally committed to minister to them. The vicar or a lay person frequently visit the school and both the infants and the juniors come (at different times) to the church to learn more about how the church works They also often participate in the entertainment at our church fairs.
Other schools in the area, but outside the parish, are a Church of England Primary School (St. Michaels East Wickham - Southwark Diocese) and Trinity Church of England Secondary School in Belvedere. Both schools are within five minutes drive from the Church.
Service to the Community
Our role within the community is an important one which we take very seriously.Both the church and the hall are used to help fulfil the needs of the community. The Amazing Grace Church have a contract to use the church each Sunday between 1 - 4 pm. It is also used for community meetings such as ‘Neighbourhood Watch, Residents Association and the Police Authority’.
The hall is let out on a regular basis Uniformed organizations, ladies and senior citizens groups are among the many groups which use the hall.
One service that is very important to St. Andrews is offering our facilities to a local bereaved parents group, the Terry Brooker Foundation. An annual Christmas service is included.
Of course through the year we have many ‘in house’ social functions in the hall which are widely advertised and well attended. For more details of clubs, events and services please refer to this website.
Buildings
The buildings on the site include the Church, Church Hall and the Vicarage. These were all built in the 1950/60's and are in good repair. The Vicarage has four bedrooms and its own garden. There is a Garden of Rememberance located between the Church and the Vicarage.
Youth
We have an enthusiastic and experienced team of leaders for our Junior Church. We currently have 30+ children on our register for Junior Church – ages range from 2 -13.Our leaders help our children learn the values that will serve as a Christian foundation for their lives. They learn this through crafts, dramas, songs, games, puzzles and stories.
At Christmas, Junior Church perform a nativity. During January we have a Junior Church party.
We have taken small groups of teenagers to Angel Space at Rochester Cathedral.
Worship
We maintain a middle level of churchmanship; vestments are worn at the main Eucharist service
Weekly Services
Sunday
8.00 am Holy Communion (1662)10.00 am Parish Eucharist (including healing – 4th Sunday)
1st SundayAll-Age Worship - usually non-Eucharistic
(Uniformed groups are invited to Parade service 4 times a year.)
6.30 pm
1st Sunday Parish Eucharist
2nd - 5th Sunday Evensong