Visit us
Haven’t been to church before, or not for a long time? Don’t panic – we will give you a warm welcome and there’s no compulsion to take part in anything you aren’t comfortable with.
You don’t need to wear anything special like a suit – we want you to feel comfortable and relaxed so come in your usual casual clothes and you’ll fit right in! We won’t expect you to make a donation, either, because our church members contribute to the ongoing costs of the church.
Each service lasts about an hour (including a talk of 20 minutes), and we serve free tea, coffee and biscuits afterwards.
For satnavs, use NG3 5HE. Click here for directions on Google Maps.
The church’s address is 405 Woodborough Road, Nottingham NG3 5HE, near the top of Ransom Road and opposite the Sainsbury’s Extra and Vets4Pets. The main entrance to the church is a set of glass double doors, next to the car park. You can also follow other people into church! We usually have someone to greet people at the door in person when they arrive. (The octagonal building to the left is the church hall.)
We have our own car park in front of the church building. (On the left coming up the Woodborough Road). There is usually space in the car park when services are on. You can park in the outlined spaces, and there are disabled-access spaces next to the church and hall buildings. If the car park is full there is usually space on the roads either side (Lucknow Drive and Mapperley Hall Drive.
Nottingham Transport buses 45, 46 and 47 stop very close to the church. Click here for bus timetables.
Sunday services
We hold a service at 10:30am every Sunday with a mixture of modern songs and traditional hymns. Music is provided by an organist or a small band or, occasionally, MP3s played through the speakers. There are opportunities to chat with others over tea and coffee after the service, and occasional Sunday lunches.
On special occasions – Christmas, Easter, Remembrance Day and so on – we have a slightly different pattern of services – check the notice board for details!
The church has a good PA system, and, if you have a hearing aid, you can set it to a “T” loop to hear better.
Our service pattern
You can find up-to-date information on our website; on the home page there is a section on the right where church services are listed under “in-person events”. We also have a calendar page listing all the church goings-on by date.
Whilst the main service is on, we also run groups for children from ages 0-11 years. These groups happen in our Hall complex, which is joined to the main church building. Please bring your children into church for the start of the service. The service leader will tell everyone when the kids’ groups are ready to start, and then you can take them into the halls (someone will show you the way). All of our kids’ groups volunteers are fully DBS-checked and will be with them at all times until you come and collect your children at the end of the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There are facilities in the hall area (which is joined to the main church building), including baby changing and a disabled toilet. You can get to the toilet from the halls or from the church, but from church it requires going down 3 steps. Wheelchair users can access the toilets via the external entrance to the halls (someone at the back of church will be able to show you the way).
You are more than welcome at St Jude’s; we have members who use all sorts of walking aids. We have spare wheelchairs too. There is always someone to welcome you at the door on arrival and they will look out for you and can help make sure you are comfortable. If you let the office know beforehand we can ensure prompt help.
The office telephone numbers are: Tel: 0115 9856131 Mob: 07483 131011
Email: office@stjudes.church
You are welcome to park a motorbike in the church car park (all vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk though, so make sure it is secured appropriately). We do not have racks for pushbikes though, so if you are intending to cycle you may wish to contact the office in advance so that we can arrange secure storage for your bike during the service.
We quite understand that, many of us are, or have been, parents or grandparents. We love having children in church and we have spaces for children to play and some toys for them. We usually have children’s groups in our halls where your children will be made welcome and can join in. Children’s groups which happen during the service cater for babies and toddlers up to Primary School year 6. Listen out for the announcements from the leaders, or ask what is happening with our children when you arrive.
That’s fine, there is a quiet private corner in the main church where parents and carers can feed babies but still hear what is happening in the service.
Yes. You should be in a seat in the church a few minutes before the service start time, but you are still welcome in if you’re late. There are always people (our welcome team) at the back to help you get settled. At the moment our morning service starts at 10:30am on a Sunday.
No – we have everything you need at church. There are parts of the service where everyone joins in; the words for these are projected onto a screen – including the words for songs, hymns, prayers and any spoken responses. Some people still like to bring a bible with them, and that is fine too.
You can sit anywhere – no pews are reserved – but it’s nice to sit near the front to see the screen, the vicar and the service leaders. We reserve seats for special occasions; for example, we reserve plenty of pews at the front for guests at a christening or baptism.
All sorts of people attend church and they wear all sorts of clothes! If you want to dress smartly, or prefer to dress down, that’s fine. For special services, such as funerals or on Remembrance Sunday, people may wish to dress more smartly or soberly as a sign of respect for the occasion. Our clergy and leaders sometimes wear their clerical robes but on most Sundays they do not.
Our church services are an act of worship in which we aim to encounter God our creator. Out of respect we ask that all mobile phones are switched off or set to “silent” so that members of the congregation are not distracted. If you have a bible app on your phone, or wish to use it to take notes during the service please do so discreetly.
Don’t worry – the church leaders, clergy or others will let us all know. Not many people kneel any longer but you can do if you wish. If you find it difficult to stand up, then it’s fine to stay seated.
Most Sunday morning services last for between an hour and an hour and a half. The service is a mix of worship – singing, praying, listening. There are parts of the service where everyone is encouraged to join in (spoken words, hymns or songs – the words for which will be on-screen). If you are happy to join in with those, please do, but don’t feel that you have to say or sing anything if you’re not comfortable with it.
Most services include a talk (called a sermon) which lasts for about 15 min. If the speaker says something funny then please do laugh or smile as you listen!
If something is said that really interests you or troubles you, you can always talk to someone about it after the service. We also have people available to pray with you if you wish – just ask one of the Welcome team (who you welcomed you into the building), the vicar or the service leader.
Communion is where we share bread and wine during a service to commemorate Jesus’ death on our behalf. It is something we do in church quite often, usually at least twice a month. You might also have heard it referred to as “the Eucharist” or “breaking of bread”. St Jude’s usually calls this communion and celebrates with a small piece of bread (gluten free is available by prior arrangement) and a sip of wine. The arrangements will be explained from the front of church by the leaders, and you can watch others taking communion. St Jude’s invites all those who are baptised believers, or who would normally have communion in their home church, to take the bread and wine. Small children can join in by going to the front and the vicar will say a prayer of blessing. If you do not wish to take Communion that’s fine too, just stay in your seat or follow everyone – and when you get to the front, keep your arms crossed. The leader will pray a short prayer or blessing for you
There is a part in most services where the service leader offers everyone the “Peace of Christ”. Traditionally we share that peace amongst the people at church by greeting one another with the words “peace be with you”. Before Covid, we would also shake hands with the people around us as a sign of peace between us. Covid restrictions changed all that, and now we offer a smile and a wave instead.
Yes! This is an important part of our worship together; we want you to join in if you are happy to do so. We already have a whole range of voices including plenty which are not quite perfect! If you don’t want to join in with the songs or other responses, that is fine too.
No, but there is an atmosphere of respect and people don’t usually talk to neighbours once the service starts. We do like a good chat afterwards though, and hope you would join us for refreshments – or at least say hello to folk near you in church.
Yes, but please ensure you only visit the toilets and do not interrupt the children’s groups which may be happening in the vicinity.
Not during the service, but afterwards we have tea and coffee, biscuits (sometimes cake!) in our hall and we would love for you to join us. There is no charge for refreshments.
Yes, you can arrive early! The church is usually open at least half an hour before the service begins, and you are most welcome to come in and take a seat as soon as you arrive.
No. On Sundays there is no one in the office. If you know you will be late on the morning of the baptism, it’s best to call someone in the family who is in church, and they can explain to the vicar.
We ask that people not move around to take photos during the service, except for official photographers; at baptisms and weddings there is usually plenty of time for posed photos afterwards.
Please also be aware that you would need the consent of their parents / guardians before any pictures of children appear on social media.
Not at all! People come to church for all sorts of reasons and everyone is welcome, wherever they are on their spiritual journey. We hope that during your time with us you will encounter something of the God we worship, and we will be glad to discuss with you what we believe and what difference our faith makes to each of us.
You don’t have to pay – we don’t believe in asking people for money to meet with God!
The church does cost money to run, including heating, cleaning bills and staff costs, so if you want to give some money to help us, you can do so. This is entirely voluntary. We accept cash and debit / credit card payments. Please talk to the service leader, vicar or a member of the team if you would like to make a donation. Regular members tend to give via other methods (e.g. direct debit).
Our services are regular; you can sign up for email info to get regular updates about our services and other church happenings.
In addition to our website: https://www.stjudes.church
we also have a public Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stjudesmapperley
and Instagram account: @stjudesmapperley
We have a team of people who are available to pray confidentially with anyone who would like prayer. Speak to the service leader, vicar or one of the welcome team about this and they will find someone to pray with you.
Of course, you do not have to stay, but we would like you to! We want to get to know you, for you to meet people and feel welcome, so do please join us if you can.