I’m New

We would love you to join us!

Revd Ann Edwards Welcome to St Mark’s Anglican Church The Gap

Coming to Church for the first time

Why I worship at St Mark’s - a short message from our parishioners

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

Every event we host is designed with intention, from the atmosphere we create to the way each session flows.

Join Our Adventure

St Mark’s is the local Anglican church in The Gap, although our people come from the surrounding suburbs and beyond as well.

In 2022, we prayed and then gathered as a community, to discern God’s call on our parish. You can see the summary through the stained window diagram - we stepped out and looked for Jesus’s lead!

It has been an adventure. In the past five years, our small church has welcomed nearly fifty new people, and we have plenty of room for even more! We’re growing and changing - we’d love you to be a part of what God is doing here!

There are plenty of ways to get involved for people who love to be busy. Other people find St Mark’s a place where they can breathe and regroup - we celebrate that, too! There’s a place for you, no matter where your faith is at - curious, tentative, committed, struggling - you’re welcome at St Mark’s!

Check out our sermons online, to get a sense of the teaching here. We have bible study and prayer groups, regular meditation and contemplative worship services, and you can count on someone being ready for a cup of tea and coffee (and that includes Rev’d Ann)!

Our people are different in all sorts of ways - politically, theologically, in ability, age, and cultural background - looking to Jesus keeps us together. Come and see what is happening here in The Gap!

FAQs

  • Sunday morning, we gather for a traditional Anglican service. The sermons put one of the readings into its context and explore what it means for us today. Our musicians play piano and organ, and there are singers to help us. There is a mix of traditional hymns and newer songs.

    We do stand and sit in places - if you’re new, you can follow the crowd. We also know not everyone is comfortable or able to sit and stand - just do what is comfortable for you!

    Our kids are in the service most weeks - we hope they always feel like the Sunday service is for them too! We have worksheets and colouring, and a comfy corner where they can see and there is room to wriggle. In time - we’re hoping we can offer something just for them too.

    At Belong - 5.30pm, the service is usually 45 minutes to just under an hour.

    We sing new music, with a few favourites, with drums, guitars and piano. We share new music that we love with one another - occasionally we have a Belong-Sing-Along to do just that - so new favourites frequently appear!

    The prayers are simpler, and shorter, but just as meaningful. There is just one reading, and we unpack it together, after hearing a bit about the setting, and other helpful context.

    At the moment, it’s a small group of people - about 10-15 - but we hope when people realise what it is like, that more people will come!

    We have communion once a quarter at this service. After the service, people tend to hang around a bit and chat about life and news - it’s a different sort of table we gather around.

    Wednesday 9.30am During school terms, we have a midweek service, which is a shorter version of the traditional Sunday morning service. There are two readings, one song (which we sing unaccompanied), and we head off for coffee after the service.

    It is a great option for those who are away on weekends, and for those that want a smaller and quieter service.

    Contemplative Service - 7pm last Sunday of the month. We close the month with this beautiful service, singing music from the Taize community, with periods of silence. It is prayerful and refreshing. After the service, you’re welcome to join us for a glass of wine or soft drink, and some cheese and snacks. This is a great option for people who are looking for a space to pray but find regular “church” is not for them.

  • It is OK to be late. The time you arrive is the right time - because you’re there!

  • Sunday Mornings, we have a Holy Communion service. If your practice is to take communion - you are welcome to have communion at St Mark’s.

    We have gluten free bread as well as our wheat wafers. You can just let us know if you need gluten free bread. People who are very allergic to gluten or wheat are welcome to the rail first, to further reduce the risk.

    The wine is fortified port in a chalice that is shared. You are welcome to drink from the cup (we take a sip). We don’t dip the bread into the cup, as that contaminates the wine with gluten and with whatever is on our hands! Some people prefer not to drink the wine - that is perfectly acceptable! You can touch the base of the chalice (cup) instead if you like, or just let it go past.

    On Wednesday mornings, the person leading the service will dip the bread into the wine, with sanitised hands, and we share communion that way. We decided to do that because we have older and more medically vulnerable people at that smaller, shorter service.

  • We want kids to be kids, and kids make noise. That’s ok - it means they’re here.

    Kids (and adults) are always welcome to take a break outside or in the hall as well.

    We have activities, and a space to wriggle in the church. You’ll find books and toys, and our retired “kneelers” make great, soft, jumbo building blocks. There are also breakout spaces to have a bit more room, while still being a part of things.

    Devices set to silent are welcome - we know some kids (and adults) actually concentrate better when they can fidget.

  • This is really normal! Please feel free to send a message to Rev’d Ann, to talk some more. She is happy to meet you, to help you get settled, and if you’re looking around, she is very willing to talk about the local churches to point you in the right direction of places you might try.

    You might also like our video on why it can feel intimidating coming to church for the first time.

  • If you turn up often enough, we’ll make you a name badge and throw you a tea towel!

    Go to the Contact page and fill in the form if you’d like to join the parish roll and get more involved.

  • Wear what you feel comfortable in - we have a wide range of people who are comfortable wearing a wide range of clothes. You’ll fit right in.