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Summer Joys - providing homes to Swifts 

Every summer, migrating Swifts return to Hemel. Many people find it a joy to watch their joyful parties in the sky. During their mating season, they love to career together at speed at high altitudes between the clouds; but equally love to zoom low between buildings, screeching as they go.

Last summer (2025) members of our church spotted a pair of Swifts making a closer inspection of our buildings and attempting to find somewhere to nest. So, this year, members of Carey's Green team, Jon & Helen Tripp, donated a couple of Swift nest boxes. Following the advice of a keen 'Swiftie' in the family, they soon identified the best spot to locate the nest boxes on our church building. The boxes were installed in April 2026, just before the first Swifts arrived in Hemel. We hope that next year, the Swifts may begin to use our nest boxes, having checked them out this year. As a bronze award EcoChurch, Carey Baptist Church continues to find different ways to care for God's creation.

Important note: Swifts are now on the 'red list' as an Endangered Species. Their numbers have declined by around 70% over the last 25 years or so. One of the reasons for this decline is thought to be the fact that modern buildings have far fewer nooks and crannies available for Swifts to nest in, compared to older buildings. Anyone wishing to put Swift nest boxes on their houses or other buildings should get advice from the RSPB.
 
Swiftboxes

09/05/2026
Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.  
 

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. We also have toilets for the disabled.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10:30am with a warm welcome from our minister or one of our leaders. Then follows a time of sung worship, sharing of news and notices, usually about what's going on in the life of the church. The morning also usually includes a special talk or lesson aimed at the younger members of the congregration. All of this is interspersed with sung worship. Our minister will then give a sermon that is bible-based and which we can apply to our everyday life. We then conclude with a final worship song and prayer. 

After the service we serve tea and coffee in the adjoining hall. We'd love for you to stay and have a drink and a chat. It's a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.


images: Church Building1

What about my children?

We have a programme lined up for children of all ages:

  • Informal Creche (Babies and Toddlers 0-3 years). 
  • Children's Church (3+ - 10 years)
  • Youth Church (10+ - 16 years) 

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At some stage of the programme someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. However, on the second Sunday of each month we have an All-age Service, which, as the name implies, is a service suitable for all age groups. Children don't go out to the various groups on these occasions, but stay in the service.

Children

Getting Connected


Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

 
Get in touch with us if you have any questions before your visit
 
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Telephone:
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Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

 
 
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.