St. George's Church is the Parish Church for the Kemp Town area of Brighton. As such it attempts to welcome the many diverse and interesting people who make up the community in Kemp Town to join the Church both for worship and for the social life which it has to offer.

The people who attend worship in the Church come from many different traditions - some have been born into the worshipping community at St. George's whilst others have come from many different parts of the United Kingdom, and some from very different parts of the world. They bring with them not only glimpses of different Anglican traditions, but also the rich heritage from different denominations such as the Methodist Church and the Roman Catholic Church. They have found their home here in the church family at St. George's.

There are also people who are just beginning to find their way around the worship which takes place in the church. Please remember there are people who will help you if you are coming back to church after a long absence, or if you are visiting for the first time.

In our worship we are trying to do four things:

1). To recognise the awe inspiring love of the God who created the whole universe, and yet who has numbered each hair on our head. It is a God who came down to share in all aspects of our lives when he took human form as Jesus. It is a God who is with
us still in the form of the Holy Spirit which inspires the work of the church.

2). To develop the relationship which we have with that God. Within the grand scope of the world we recognise that each person is important and loved by God, and that each person is called to be the best that they can be. Through reading scripture, the
sacraments, prayer and fellowship we try to recognise the part which each one of us has to play in God's evolving plans for the world.

3). To thank God for all that is done for us. By using the many gifts which God has given to us - a beautiful singing voice, the gift of leading prayers, the ability to make beautiful things, we try to praise and give thanks in the liturgy, or services, of the church.

4). To take that message of love and meaning for our world out to the people we meet each day - our families, friends, the people we work with and the people we meet socially. Sometimes that just means respecting our neighbours, and other times it means
practical work on their behalves.

The church is best described as "broad" and "liberal". Broad because it embraces the different traditions which people bring and sometimes in our worship you will find pageantry even scented with a little incense. On other occasions you will find thoughtful and prayerful services. Yet again you may well find a strong tradition of preaching and teaching coming through the worship.

It's not just a matter of coming to take part quietly, although you are welcome to do that. Everyone has something to offer and the gifts which you have, even if they are not fully developed, will be welcomed - you could be a potential flower arranger, a singer, a reader, a youth leader.

The life of St. George's Church is not just confined to the building. There are ample opportunities for you to get involved with pastoral work in the parish.

There is also a very active social life which people enjoy taking part in. This could be as simple as attending one of our barbecues or going on a day trip to France. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Father Andrew