How does church work?

wiggywoo9

I've never been to church before except on school trips and religion was laughed at in my household. I've moved out of that environment now and I have a toddler. I'm actually quite curious about going; I like the community, the structure and I'd really like my son to grow up with some sort of 'backing', if you know what I mean?

My mother raised my without any religion to give me complete freedom to choose if I wished; but to be honest, I think it was because she didn't believe in any of it and no choice was ever encouraged. I'd like to explore, see if there's a place for us and maybe be a part of a church.

How do you manage single parenthood in church? What about my son making noise? Am I even allowed, as a single mum? What about a pushchair? I'm really on my own but I'm really quite scared. I was laughed at for wanting to pray when I was younger, for my pets dying and my grandad dying. I don't want my son feeling that.

I'm not sure what faith. I don't know the dress code- dark jeans ok? I don't even know the hymns! Please can anyone help? And please don't mock my novice approach!

UsernameAlreadyExists

Are you wanting to push religion onto you own toddler? Or are you looking for social interaction?

If you need to "find god", then so be it, but don't use your toddler as an excuse to!

suki1964

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Are you wanting to push religion onto you own toddler? Or are you looking for social interaction?

If you need to "find god", then so be it, but don't use your toddler as an excuse to!

Was there any nee for that when someone is asking for help?


Op, find the church yo would like to approach and either just go along on Sundays or find the vicarage and talk to the vicar ( minister, priest whoever)! To introduce yourself and discuss what you want/ looking for and your fears and worries

Church is like anywhere else, take what you need and leave the rest behind

balletshoes

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I've never been to church before except on school trips and religion was laughed at in my household. I've moved out of that environment now and I have a toddler. I'm actually quite curious about going; I like the community, the structure and I'd really like my son to grow up with some sort of 'backing', if you know what I mean?

My mother raised my without any religion to give me complete freedom to choose if I wished; but to be honest, I think it was because she didn't believe in any of it and no choice was ever encouraged. I'd like to explore, see if there's a place for us and maybe be a part of a church.

How do you manage single parenthood in church? What about my son making noise? Am I even allowed, as a single mum? What about a pushchair? I'm really on my own but I'm really quite scared. I was laughed at for wanting to pray when I was younger, for my pets dying and my grandad dying. I don't want my son feeling that.

I'm not sure what faith. I don't know the dress code- dark jeans ok? I don't even know the hymns! Please can anyone help? And please don't mock my novice approach!

my goodness your family has done a good job of keeping you completely in the dark about churches havent they?

You will be welcome in every church I can think of as a single parent, you and your son. You don't need to know any hymns, some churches use hymn books, some don't. Wear what you are comfortable wearing, and start at your local church, see if you feel comfortable and welcome there. In the churches I went to as a child, there wasn't room for pushchairs inside the church, your child would sit beside you on the pews/benches.

Theres no definite routine in all churches, they all differ, so the first time you go to any of them, you won't know, or be expected to know, the form that particular church service takes.

Go and find out for yourself, which local church suits you and your son best .

Torry_Quine

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I've never been to church before except on school trips and religion was laughed at in my household. I've moved out of that environment now and I have a toddler. I'm actually quite curious about going; I like the community, the structure and I'd really like my son to grow up with some sort of 'backing', if you know what I mean?

My mother raised my without any religion to give me complete freedom to choose if I wished; but to be honest, I think it was because she didn't believe in any of it and no choice was ever encouraged. I'd like to explore, see if there's a place for us and maybe be a part of a church.

How do you manage single parenthood in church? What about my son making noise? Am I even allowed, as a single mum? What about a pushchair? I'm really on my own but I'm really quite scared. I was laughed at for wanting to pray when I was younger, for my pets dying and my grandad dying. I don't want my son feeling that.

I'm not sure what faith. I don't know the dress code- dark jeans ok? I don't even know the hymns! Please can anyone help? And please don't mock my novice approach!

You will be more than welcome single parent or not. Most churches have a creche for young children so you wouldn't have to worry about the noise.

Nowadays most churches have no specific dress clothes and dark jeans would be perfectly acceptable.

Many churches have mother and toddler groups which would be a chance to meet with others in the same situation and get to know them on a more relaxed basis before going to a service.

londonsurrey

I had a friend who for complicated reasons didn't know about church either, but decided to attend regularly. It was years before she realised that that wierd board with bus-type numbers on it were the hymn numbers for that day!

dacouch

People part with money and agree to follow standards in their life set a long time ago and read a book of stories.

Oh and sing

UsernameAlreadyExists

suki1964 wrote: »

Was there any nee for that when someone is asking for help?

Probably not, but then I am not religious. I am very mindful of people impressing it upon others though.
What I read from the post was a single Mum missing something in her life. Perhaps church maybe the answer - for her, and I accept that. But from her own admission, she wasn't brought up that way herself so what of her own toddlers choices?

suki1964

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Are you wanting to push religion onto you own toddler? Or are you looking for social interaction?

If you need to "find god", then so be it, but don't use your toddler as an excuse to!

Btw. Here as in so many parts of rural Britain everything revolves about the church. You don't have to be religious to be welcomed, nor is religion forced down your throat

Mrs_Bones

There are various books on the different religions OP, why not check out your library and do a bit of reading or do some digging via the ubiquitous google. If you think it's a Christian based faith that interests you there are various branches from the C of E and Catholic to the smaller sections such as the Quakers.

I'm not really the best person to advise on current Christian matters as though I was brought up a christian I found the faith wasn't for me and now I'm happy following a pagan religion which I have done for many years. There are some posters I know on the forum though who do follow Christian faiths and if you feel able you could always drop them a PM and ask if they could answer some of your questions. Torry Quine is one name that pops in to my mind but there are a few others. I may not share their faith but for the most part I respect their differing opinions. The other option is to get in touch with your local faith groups directly and just ask, there will be someone willing to help answer your questions.

Edit to add I've just seen TQ's been on the thread to answer you. hehe I get slower at typing at night.

Gloomendoom

Definitely don't worry about noise, dress code or pushchairs.

If you put your postcode in this link, it will give you details of your local C of E church.

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/

(Other churches/religions are available)