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.
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.
Junior Church
Downing Place is welcoming to children and young people.
We have an active junior church, run by experienced volunteers, which caters to all ages. Children generally worship with the rest of the congregation for the first portion of the service, before moving to one of the church halls for games, activities, and Christian education.
Experienced volunteers also cater for babies and toddlers. Our safeguarding policy can be viewed here.
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 first 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!
