Our volunteer teams are involved in every aspect of church from taking care of our children, to running the Bridge Café, playing in the worship band, serving coffee, hosting courses, helping in reception at the Parish Office and welcoming people to church.
Welcoming
At our services, the team offer a friendly face to welcome those coming to church. If you have a gift for hospitality, then we’d love to hear from you contact us
Children
Do you have a passion for seeing children encounter Jesus? There’s a whole range of opportunities for you to get involved. We would love to hear from you contact us
Messy Church Leaders
Messy Church runs at North Street, Hornchurch and St Matthew’s Church, Chelmsford Drive, Upminster. Running bi-monthly meetings for Messy Church requires many hands. There are various jobs from welcoming families as they arrive, to pouring drinks, to crafts and everything in between.
Think you may be able to help? We would love to hear from you contact us for further details and a member of the leadership team will contact you to explain more. All our volunteers are required to be DBS checked and we will inform you how to complete this.
Production
We place a high value on the technical presentation at all our services and events. From sound desk to video, there’s always room for new people to join the team contact us.
Hospitality
After the main service at St Andrew’s we enjoy refreshments and a chat. The refreshments are provided by the church and served by a team of volunteers. We have completed a Food Hygiene course to ensure that we follow basic procedures, even though it is just tea and biscuits. So if you have a heart for service and can make a good brew, we’d love to hear from you contact us
Youth
We are always on the look out for people with a heart for youth who are committed to coming regularly to help build relationships. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you contact us
Flower Arrangers
The flower arranging team take pride in adding a touch of nature to our beloved St Andrew’s church. We usually meet on a Friday to freshen or renew the displays for the weekend and coming week. At Easter, Harvest and Christmas we gather together to decorate the church ready to celebrate the festivals. We endeavor to oblige a bride’s request to co-ordinate the flowers with her chosen colour scheme. Memorial flowers for those who want to remember a loved one can be arranged via the Parish Office. If you would like to know more or join our team, please contact Jackie Bruniges through the Parish Office
Servers of Holy Communion
In the Parish of Hornchurch we have a Guild of Servers who serve at communion. Serving can be traced back in the Old Testament to the first book of Samuel. Samuel was given to the temple as a child to minister under Eli. There have been servers in the parish since St Andrews Church was built. The ministry of a server is to be a practicing Christian attending church regularly. To work to a rota, arrive in time to robe up and make preparation for the service. To serve at the service assisting the clergy and clearing away afterwards. Anyone wishing to be considered as server will be trained up over several weeks in one to one sessions. They will shadow a server at services until they are confident to serve on their own. Please contact the Parish Office to leave your details and request training.
Silver Washing
Ever wondered about the cup and plate used on Sundays for Communion? These symbolic items need to be kept clean each week as they are used regularly. We have a team of dedicated washers to wash them thoroughly. Do you feel this is something you may have time to do during the week? If so please contact us
Bellringers
At St Andrew’s we have about 20 bellringers ranging from the age of 12 to 75, both male and female. Many of our ringers are members of the church. No particular qualifications are necessary to become a bellringer. Initial teaching takes place on a one-to-one basis, with most learners ready to ring with a band in a few months. Once you have mastered the basic technique, you will be able to ring at Sunday services, 9.40-10.15am and again at 5.30-6.30pm, Saturday weddings and on practice nights. Tuesdays between 7.30 and 9.00pm is the practice night at St Andrew’s Church.
A bell starts with its mouth facing down. By pulling the rope, it is swung higher and higher until it can rest with the mouth facing up. From this position it can be rotated 360°, first one way, then the other. If you would like more information about learning to ring or would like to see the bells being rung, please contact the Parish Office and leave your details for our Tower Master to contact you. Alternatively, you can also contact us on the inquiry form. Hornchurch Bells
Other ways
Helping in the office, healing prayer team, being part of the Baptism team… The list of ways to get involved really is endless, so if you’ve got a talent we haven’t mentioned above or you’ve spotted a task at church that you’d like to tackle why not get in contact! We LOVE volunteers!