About Downing Place URC
Worship
We come together at 11.00 am every Sunday, and twice a month on Thursdays, to worship God – see our church diary. Our traditional form of worship is designed to be accessible to all, and we have two particularly creative directors of music, who regularly compose new music for our services. As well as regular soloists, we have a church choir which is open to anyone who would like to join.
Pastoral Care
Jesus Christ calls us to reflect his love for us in our love for one another, and we strive to embody this in our care and pastoral ministry, ‘bearing one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2). We seek to make Downing Place a community of mutual support, bearing the burden of being human, and accepting its joy together.
Children’s Ministry
Young people are a vital part of the congregation. They join for the first part of the 11am Sunday service with a ‘Sharing Together’ slot, for everyone, during which the children contribute to the worship, before going with their leaders to their groups. Here, children will explore the Bible and develop their faith through craft, singing, games and discussions appropriate to each age group.
All-age morning services are held on a regular basis, during which the children stay with the rest of the congregation and actively participate in the worship.
New families and visitors are always welcome.
During the year, we organise ‘Invitation Sundays’ with exciting activities for all children and their invited friends. These Sundays give children, their parents or carers, and the leaders the chance to get to know each other better as they share breakfast, play games, and hear Bible-related stories.
Children’s Ministry is led by experienced volunteers who have full DBS checks. Our safeguarding policy can be viewed here.
More information about our Children’s Ministry can be found here.
Students & Young Adults
As well as being the Church of Scotland chaplaincy in Cambridge, we are very pleased to welcome students to Downing Place from a variety of backgrounds and traditions. We hold regular student lunches after church on Sundays at the University Centre.
Time for God volunteers
For many years we have been delighted to host a Time for God volunteer. Click here to read more about these wonderful young people.
Ministry amongst LBGTQ people
Downing Place is an officially registered Inclusive Church, welcoming to all. We have received accreditation from the Encompass Network as a LGBT+ friendly community through their Safer Spaces scheme. We are delighted to offer blessings for civil partnerships, whilst our Emmanuel building on Trumpington Street is now licensed to carry out same-sex marriages.
On the fourth Sunday of every month we hold an Open Table service in the evening at Emmanuel URC, with a specific focus on LGBT+ folk and their allies. We start informally with refreshments from 7pm, and worship begins at 7:30pm. All are welcome – come as you are!
