The main service at St Mary's is the Parish Eucharist. It starts at 10.30am and finishes about 11.45am. Christians of all denominations are welcome to receive holy communion. When you come forward, please bring your child with you for a blessing.

Feel free to use the Parish Room at the back of church where you are still able to follow the service if your child gets restless - particularly during the sermon! If all else fails, take them for a stroll on Primrose Hill!

The toilets are at the back of church, one of which has a changing facility. After the service coffee is served. Please stay and enjoy some conversation and meet other parents and members of the congregation. We ask you to keep an eye on your children as there are a number of elderly people, some of whom are unsteady on their feet.

Hints for parents

We want coming to St Mary's to be a joyful experience for you. But we recognise that a church service can be a long time for children to be quiet; so here are some tips:

• Sit with your children where you most feel comfortable. If they're young, you may prefer to sit in the side-aisle which is carpeted. But remember, children get frustrated and bored if they can't see what's going on. At St Mary's worship is full of colour and music and drama. So try to sit where they can see what's going on. We don't mind them standing on the chairs if it helps.
  
• Talk to your children about what is happening in the service. Note with them special events like a baptism, or the different colours of the church's seasons.
• Please help the children to follow the service. Show them how to find the hymns. Sing with them at home!
• Encourage them to ask questions of the clergy and lay ministers concerning their roles in the service.
• Please discourage any running round. We find that children whose parents allow them to run around or become noisy are not so much being included as being ignored!
• After the service the children can play with their friends and let off some steam. But please remember that there are very hot cups of coffee around, and that there are some rather frail and elderly people in the congregation who love to see the children, but who are also terrified of being knocked over!
• After the service say a prayer with your children and let them light a candle for someone they care about - but please supervise! Money for candles can be put in the wall-safe at the back of church by the King Henry's Road door.