Encounter is a Sunday service (weeks 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the month) at 11.15 am (coffee from 10.45 am).
Need an hour to slow down?
Come to Encounter – a relaxed gathering forming a smaller part of St Mary’s Church with modern, sometimes live music, space to reflect, and a genuinely friendly atmosphere.
No formal dress code. No pressure to know what to do. Just a chance to pause, breathe, and connect – with God, with other people, and maybe with yourself too.
Expect modern songs and a short talk for the week: quiet moments to reflect, and coffee and conversation too.
Whether church is part of your life, used to be, or has never really been your thing, you’re welcome at Encounter.
📍 Everyone welcome
🎶 Modern music
☕ Friendly, intimate atmosphere
💬 Come as you are
Meet The People
This is Frank and Beth, Beth is a member of our new worship band and here’s what she has to say.
“One of the things I love most about being part of the worship band at Encounter is that it feels like such a genuine mixture of giving and receiving. I’ve always felt closest to God when I’m worshipping Him through music, so being able to use something I love to help create a space where other people can worship, pray, reflect or simply spend time with God is incredibly special to me.
What I particularly love is that it never feels like we’re just there to “provide” the worship for everyone else. We’re worshipping alongside everyone too, and even when I’m helping to lead, I still feel very much part of the service myself. Some of the moments where I’ve felt closest to God have been playing the keyboard or flute alongside everyone else.
I also love the relaxed nature of Encounter and the sense that people can come as they are and engage in whatever way feels right for them that morning. It’s really special to be able to use the gifts God has given us to help create that space for other people, while at the same time receiving so much from Encounter myself.”
Frank adds – “I have been coming to St Mary’s for around 4 years now since I moved to Bideford from Bristol with my wife Beth.
Everyone has been so welcoming since day one and it’s really helped us to forge some really great friendships (we’re even Godparents to some of our friends that we met at St Mary’s!).”
