How do you fit church in?

[Wentmerry]

I grew up in an atheist household and have recently have been drawn to the bible and want to start attending church with my family.

Sorry if this is an offensive question - but how do you fit it in? DC have sports clubs on the weekend and there is an evening service at the church near us every few weeks. Is going once a month ok?

Go when you can. Some people go every week, others just when they feel like it. Don't neglect your family or God.

Definitely not an offensive question. Go when you can, trying to make that regular whether it is once a month, or once a week. If you feel drawn to go more, you might need to make changes in your routine but once a month is better than not at all. Maybe there is a mid week Bible study or prayer meeting you can go to. For our family, we start with church and choose activities which fit round but not everyone works like that. You would be made welcome at our church even if you came once a year. You could have a look at a daily Bible reading app or listen to sermons online, especially if you drive a lot. Truth for life is good. Or try UCB radio.

Many church have on online service that you can watch from home and some use YouTube so you can watch at anytime. St James's Piccadilly might be worth a look.

I would say just go when you can. Modern church understands how lifestyles have changed and it's not possible for everyone to keep to a specific day of the week on a regular basis. Hope you find somewhere where you feel 'at home'.

Just go when you can. Our church is very relaxed. My friend's son plays football on a Sunday morning. They just turn up at church after the match. Another friend never comes on a Sunday, but comes to midweek ladies group.

Sounds trite but I prioritise it.
I sing in a church choir, as did my two sons. I wouldn't have done (or supported) another activity that regularly clashed with it.
The main issue the CofE (and other mainstream churches) has is falling regular attendance (particularly of younger people) and concomitant loss of income. The impact is that churches are combining with others (reducing the number of clergy to save money) and also being closed permanently.

There is a real risk that a failure to attend church regularly will mean you eventually lose the opportunity.

I've always attended churches where there's more than one Sunday Mass (service), so although I might not always get to the dedicated family service, I can get a Mass of some sort.

I avoid regular clubs on a Sunday, but the kids sometimes have competitions, especially as they get older and more serious about the activities they do. They very rarely have something which takes up both Saturday evening and all day Sunday. If they do, then they skip Mass and I find a church local to where the competition is.

Many people don't go every week, but even if you do want to make that commitment, there are ways to work it out.

I used to attend evensong mostly when my kids were children, they were choristers too but I found evening better for me

Our starting point is church on a Sunday morning but if the DC have other commitments we work round it. For a long time DH used to take DD2 to cross country and come straight to church. At the moment she has netball matches every few weeks so we just leave early.

Because I work on a Sunday, I've looked further away for Masses that are outside of work hours, so I can either go to 8am in one direction or, my preferred one, 5:30pm in the other direction.

Definitely look up churches and find out what their times are, you might need to travel a bit but there will be something at a time you can do.

My church has mass on Saturday at 6.30pm (vigil mass, same as Sunday service but less singing), then Sunday at 9.30 and 11.30am. All else fails I go at 5pm on a Sunday. If I'm away and cant get to church I join mass online or watch the recording.

My dc don't always come with me. Ds1 is at football on Sunday morning and this Saturday he's at a party. They go to church with school.

Really to start off you could go to a mass / church in the week. I'm Catholic so Saturday night or Sunday is the one that counts.

The Sunday masses are usually the ones with all the singing and tea/coffee after.

Could you go to church and your dh do the activities once in a while?

Honestly I think it's great you're thinking about it. Once a month is great. What denomination are you?

Hi OP

I struggle with attending church regularly, even though I'd like to. I try to go whenever I can and this sometimes means going to different churches at different times of the week.

You need to find a pattern that's sustainable - if that's once a month that's totally fine and better than I manage most of the time! I engage in other ways outside of church through Bible-reading apps, podcasts (The Bible Project, The Bible for Normal People) etc.

I got to Wednesday morning service because I can’t make Sundays due to DC’s commitments, might not be an option for you but lots of church’s do midweek services now.

Its lovely as it’s less busy, most people are far older than me but they are all lovely and very welcoming.

I go every week on Sunday unless we are away, and for me it's a couple of hours where I shed all of the various hats I wear in the week, I'm not mum, or "guv" I'm just me, finding a little bit of peace in a warm and quiet corner of a lovely church.

It's exercise for my soul.

I know this was some time ago - but you asked how to fit it all in. You shouldn't ask us, you should pray about it. Pray for the Lord to give you time, to lead you to the right church and the ability to go regularly - He has been known to pull off a few miracles you know! I am talking about practical miracles - for example your kids timetables will suddenly change or they will suddenly hate that sport, or you will be led to a church that can accommodate your timetable. Little miracles like that happen ALL the time - but you do need to pray earnestly for it.

Church isn't meant to be a casual place you go - like a cinema to be entertained once in a while- just like Christianity is not about going to a church. Christianity is relationship with God through Jesus. Church is about growing that relationship with other Christians who are also growing their relationships. If you pray for it, I would expect that prayer to be answered in God's own time.