FAQs

I'm new to church, what's it like?
You’re very welcome! We are a friendly place where people from all sorts of backgrounds come together. If you’re new, you don’t need to know all the customs or words, just relax and join in as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. We offer a broad range of worshipping experiences from Choral to Contemporary.

How do I get to St Mary's or St Leonard's church?
St Mary Magdalene
Address: Church Walk, Newark, NG24 1JS
St Mary’s is in the centre of Newark. Newark Northgate and Newark Castle railway stations are both about a 15-minute walk away. There isn't a car park at St Mary's, but there are several car parks nearby.

St Leonard’s
Address: 86 Lincoln Road, Newark, NG24 2DP
St Leonard’s is on Lincoln Road, and is a 25 minute walk from the town centre, or a 5 minute drive. There is a car park to the rear of the church behind the community centre.

Can I access church with accessibility needs?
Yes. St Mary's has a level, wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible toilets and ramps giving access to much of the church, including the chancel. St Leonard’s has ramp access at the rear of the church via the community centre.

Both churches also welcomes mobility scooters and prams. There are also hearing loops, and large-print orders of service available at both locations. If you can't get to the front for Communion or a blessing, the priest can come to you instead. For more information visit: www.stmnewark.org/opening-times-accessibility

What should I wear?
Anything you're comfortable in. There is no formal dress code at St Mary's or St Leonard’s. 

Do I need to be a Christian to come to church?
No. You are welcome to come even if you're not a Christian, you're unsure what you believe, or you're simply curious about Christianity.
You don't have to join in with everything. You can sit and listen, watch what other people do, and take your time getting familiar with the service.

What does Communion (Eucharist) look like at St Mary's with St Leonard?
Communion, also called the Eucharist, is the part of the service where Christians receive bread and wine. The services follows a set structure, including Bible readings, prayers and then sharing the bread and wine.  If you're not a Christian or haven't been baptised, you don't have to receive Communion. You can either remain in your seat or come forward for a blessing instead. 

So, if you're nervous about getting something wrong: you really don't need to worry. You can simply sit and observe the first time, and someone at the church will be happy to explain what is happening.

Can I volunteer with the church?
Yes, you can. To join one of our teams, e-mail office@stmnewark.org

Can I get involved in The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene project?
Yes! We are always looking for volunteers to help us out, and there are lots of ways you can be involved. We have a number of different volunteer opportunities, which can be found here. Alternatively, if you want to speak to someone, then please e-mail our team at volunteering@stmnewark.org for more information.

Do you offer work experience opportunities?
Yes! We do offer short-term unpaid work experience for over-16s. For more information e-mail volunteering@stmnewark.org.