Services
Morning Worship
Every Sunday, 10.30 – 11.30 am, followed by coffee in the Concourse.
From mid-November to mid-April we worship in the Concourse, often around tables. In the warmer months, we worship in the Sanctuary.
In both places our worship includes prayer, singing, readings and a set of reflections from the worship leader, either one of our ministers or sometimes a church member.
Occasionally we meet jointly with the congregation of our nearest sister church in the Southern Fellowship, Isaac Watts Memorial URC Church – either there, at the corner of Winchester Road and Luccomb Road in Shirley, or together at Avenue St Andrew’s.
Communion
We celebrate Communion regularly, normally on the second Sunday of the month. Everyone is invited to take part, with Elders serving the congregation at their seats, or, when we’re in the Concourse, around tables. The bread is gluten-free and the wine non-alcoholic. Every month we have a retiring Communion Collection for a named charity. These have been nominated by the church membership and agreed once a year at November’s Church Meeting. Among the variety of recipients, some are global and others more local.
Communion Collections for 2026
January Southampton Sunday Lunch Project
February Rose Road Association – respite care for children with complex disabilities
March Amnesty International
April The Samaritans
May Christian Aid
June Leprosy Mission
July Avenue Multicultural Centre, Southampton
August Commitment for Life – the URC’s world development programme
September Southampton Basics Bank
October A Rocha – Christian community-based conservation promoting ‘creation care’ internationally
November ZANE – provides food, medical and development help to vulnerabe people in Zimbabwe
December Society of St James – a secular homelessness charity in Southampton
Reflective Worship
Recently we introduced a new element into Morning worship, using small-group discussion of a scripture passage or theme in the day’s Bible readings. By blending elements of traditional worship with reflective Bible study around the table – serving coffee before the service begins – we can exchange individual responses more than we would in a traditional service.
Conversing at the table is entirely voluntary – no one is forced to share! Among our recent themes for discussion have been ‘An Authentic Faith’, ‘Hopeful Faith’, ‘Going Home Another Way’, ‘The Affirming Role of Doubting Thomas’, and ‘Prayer’
Occasions
Throughout the year we celebrate God’s love for creation, high points in Christ’s life and ministry, and seasonal themes or anniversaries for the church.
Whether it’s a Courtyard service in summer or Harvest time, or a Thanksgiving service devoted to the work of Isaac Watts, whether meeting jointly with our Southern Fellowship sister churches or emphasising the role of the arts in our local community, we value belonging to our own place.
At a wider level, our regular Advent cycle, Christmas Carol service and Dressing of the Cross in flowers at Easter all help us anchor our faith in festivals celebrated by Christians worldwide.
We enjoy making the most of our creative talents and locale to share faith with the community. We’re especially looking forward to our 40th Anniversary celebration as ‘Avenue St Andrew’s URC’ later in 2026.
