Any Questions?

Subject	Question	Answer
Alpha	Just what is Alpha?	It's like an adult education course, happening one evening a week for 10 weeks, looking at the Christian faith. Each session involves a talk on different aspects of Christianity, plus time in small groups to discuss the issues raised and any other questions. Where it differs from an ordinary course is that each meeting starts with a meal in those same small groups. There is no pressure to join the church or believe in anything through coming on the course. From our long experience with Alpha, most course members really enjoy it, and it helps them to make up their own minds about Christianity.
	When does it run, and how much does it cost?	We run at least one course a year on one evening a week. It doesn't cost anything, though if you want to make a contribution to the cost of the meals, we'll accept it!
	Do I have to come every week?	Like most courses it works best if you can come to each session, though it’s up to you to come or not as you wish.
	I might be interested; how do I find out more?	Have a word with any of the staff to find out about the next course at St. Matthew's. You might also like to look at the national Alpha website.
Children	Do you have many children in the church?	About 120 of all ages - and growing weekly!
Children	What facilities and events to you have for them?	Lots and lots - and far too many to get into this paragraph. See the description of our children and youth work.
Christianity	Just what is the Christian faith, and what do Christians believe?	We believe in an all almighty but loving God who's interested in the whole world, and everyone within it. We should live the way he wants us to, but we all rebel against him ("sin"). God could have chosen to make us earn our right to be forgiven, but instead he sent his son Jesus to live as a human like us, and to die in our place. Believing this for yourself, and being sorry, means God will forgive you, and accept you. This is just a very brief summary; to learn more please come on an "Alpha" course.
Christianity	Where can I find out more?	Talk to any Christian you know, who'll be happy to tell you about their experience of Christianity. Or call one of the church staff. Or come on one of our Alpha courses.
2 Churches?	Why do you have 2 churches?	We've two buildings because in the 1870s there were too many in the congregation to fit in the St. Mary's building. St. Matthew's was built to house a much larger total congregation, and is now the main building where most activities and services are held. You can read more about the history.
2 Churches?	Why are you called "St. Mary with St. Matthew, Cheltenham?"	Because of the answer above. This signifies that we've got two buildings, and that St. Mary's is the "Parish Church", and St. Matthew's is technically the "Chapel of Ease".
Denomination	What denomination is the church?	As part of the Church of England, we're "Anglicans". For those who like to know these things, we're definitely "low church", informal, evangelical, and very quietly charismatic. For those who don't understand all that, just come along and see if you like us!
Denomination	Must I be an Anglican to come?	No! We welcome everyone: those with lots of faith and those with little; those in a denomination and those who don't know what one is!
Disabilities	What provision have you got for people with disabilities?	At St. Matthew's all of the building is accessible to wheelchair users, except the balconies - there is also a fully equipped disabled toilet. At St. Mary's, there are two small steps into the church (and plenty of friendly people willing to offer assistance). Both churches have a loop system fitted to the PA which sends the signal directly to most kinds of hearing aid. We have large print editions of our Service Sheets, weekly notices and church Bibles available.
Funerals	My close relative has just died. Where do I start with organising a funeral?	Please contact the Church Office who will be happy to help you, and can help advise on funerals. If you want to look on the internet first, there is a site listing the the best in practical advice, support, information, and services, written with input from the Church of England.
Parish Records	I'd like to check your records to know if someone was baptised, married or buried in your church. How can I look at the records?	All our records are now held at the Records Office in Gloucester (01452) 425295. The only local information is given in a listing of St. Mary's Plaques and enquiries are not supported any further.
Giving	I'd like to start giving to the church. How do I do this?	Thank you! There are various ways of doing this to suit your financial situation. Please see the Planned Giving section for more details.
Giving	I'm a tax-payer; how can I give so that the church gets the tax back?	The Church Office has the relevant, simple, form so that you can sign once and forget about it. The Secretary and Treasurer between them handle claiming the tax back from the Inland Revenue on your behalf. You no longer need to make a Covenant with the church.
Hire of rooms	I'd like to hire some rooms. What sort of rooms do you have? How much do they cost?	We have rooms of various sizes available to hire, plus kitchen and conference facilities. For more details please see a separate page of details.
Hire of rooms	How do I book some rooms or facilities?	Please call our Church Manager, who can help with any of your questions, and handles all bookings. He can show you around personally, if that would help you decide.
Housegroups	What sort of things go on in your housegroups?	Up to 12 people meet together regularly to study the Bible and pray. They get to know one another well and therefore care for and support each other. Groups can organise their own special programme.
	When and where do they meet?	We've got about 23 groups at the moment. They meet in a variety of parts of Cheltenham -- sometimes hosted in the leader's home. Most meet every fortnight in an evening (on a variety of days of the week), but others meet more or less regularly. There's bound to be one that suits!
	How do I join one (or find out more)?	Please contact the Church Office, who will pass your name to the person in charge.
Location	Where are you?	Our congregation live all round Cheltenham, with a few living in surrounding villages. Our church buildings are both on Clarence Street, in Cheltenham's town centre. You might want to see our more detailed directions and maps.
Membership	I'd like to join the church. What happens next?	Ask anyone after a service to point you in the direction of a small green card to fill in -- or call or drop a line to the Church Office. A member of staff will visit you within a week, if you'd like that. If you've not been to a Newcomers' Lunch, you'll then be invited to the next one, so that you can meet other newcomers, more staff and clergy from the church. It will also give you an opportunity to learn more about the varied life of the church.
Mission Support	Which mission partners do you support?	We support about 12 partners; a mixture of local, national, and international agencies that offer aid and development as well as spreading the Gospel. We pray regularly for these agencies, and give 10% of our church income to them.
	How can I find out more about these agencies?	Please see our list of partners.
	Who decides who these partners are?	Our Missions group - a committee of the PCC decide each year which partners we will adopt.
Money	What do you spend your money on as a church?	We have all the normal bills to pay as you'd expect with two large buildings and several church staff. But we're also keen to support missions, and we give 10% of our church income away to support various missions at home and abroad.
	Can I see more detail on your income and expenditure, please?	Copies of our Annual Report and Accounts are available from the Church Office
	I'd like to start giving to the church. How do I do this?	Please see the Q+A on giving.
	I'm a tax-payer; how can I give so that the church gets the tax back?	Please see the Q+A on giving.
PCC	How do I raise a question, issue or idea with the PCC?	Speak to the Chairman of the PCC (normally the Vicar, or write to the PCC's Secretary. You can also raise points at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, held in April. Less formally any PCC member will be happy to talk with you.
	How do I elect people to the PCC?	By voting at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, held on the last Monday in April each year. You need to be on the Electoral Roll to vote.
	How do I join the Electoral Roll?	Ask the Church Office for a form. You need to be over 16, live in our parish or have worshipped here for 6 months, be baptised and a member of the Church of England.
Services	Who can come to your services?	Anyone! Seriously, you don't have to be 'good' or 'qualified', or even a Christian. (I've heard it put differently: the only qualification is that you're a sinner; but we think that includes everyone!)
	What do I need to bring to a service?	Just yourself! But preferably come with heart and mind ready to worship God, and be open to knowing His love and challenge. If you like you can also bring a Bible, but there are plenty in the building to borrow.
	Does anything happen before or after services?	Lots of socialising goes on before and after the services, lubricated by coffee/tea/squash and biscuits available afterwards. There is also an opportunity for private prayer after most services.
Social Events	What social events does the church put on?	There are lots of social events! Network arranges walks, pub nights etc. for younger adults who have completed their studies but not yet produced children. Connect arranges more formal events such as fish and chip suppers or trips to special places for church members of any age. Homegroups, Sunday Club and many other organisations within the church also have their own events. See the calendar for details.
Website	Is this site accessible for those with different disabilities?	This site should be readable for those with poor eyesight, colour blindness, and has been tested with screen-readers for blind readers.
Website	How did you build this site?	The site was built by hand by Jonathan Clark and Philip Abbey.
Weddings	Can I get married in St. Matthew's or St. Mary's?	Please contact the Rector or Vicar, who will talk to you both about your ideas, and together try and help you make the best plans for your wedding day and the start of your married life.
	But I'm divorced. Will you re-marry me?	This might well be possible, so the best thing is to arrange a meeting with the Rector or Vicar to talk about it. We will be as helpful as we possibly can.
	I'm getting married elsewhere, how do I get my banns published?	Please give the details to the Church Office. The Banns have to be read in the parish church of both the bride and the groom in the final three weeks prior to the wedding.

Last Updated: 25/02/07