CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
What are we about?
Providing a safe environment where children of all ages and ethnicity are given the opportunities to express themselves as important members of their churches and community. We are committed to meeting the needs of our young people, supporting their personal and spiritual growth and assisting in their walk with Christ. To this end we understand the importance of giving our young people the space, time and opportunities to develop their relationship with God and with people of all ages.
Our aim and values
Is to support, encourage and equip young people to become productive citizens in our diverse communities. To respect, honour and value themselves and others; recognising the mutual benefit that different gifts and differences can bring to the life of our communities.
What we offer
On the first Sunday of each month everyone, young, old and somewhere in between, take part in the service and worship together. All children of Keystage 1 & 2 age are welcome to be part of our children's group, called Junior Wings which meets during the first half of the main Sunday Eucharist on all other Sundays. The children have a programme of activities which follows, week by week, the same biblical themes as the Eucharist readings in church. From time to time other activities are arranged for them and we encourage chilcdren to take a full part in the life of the church by reading and serving during the Sunday Eucharist.
For further information about Junior Wings, please contact the Coordinator, Vicky Egueye. For babies and pre-school children there is a crèche in the upstairs community room (behind the church, through the left-hand door). There are toys for the children to play with and the service is relayed there by loud speaker for the adults to hear.
During the first part of the main Sunday service there is a discussion group for young people of 12 years and above. Children and young people also participate in worship in serving and reading. Children aged 8 or over can be admitted to receive Holy Communion. We usually run a course in preparation each winter. Teenagers then prepare for confirmation when they are older, often about the age of 16.
There is an after school club on Thursday afternoons between 4 and 7 p.m. for all young people of the area aged 11-16 where there are a variety of activities, healthy snacks, quiet spaces and help with homework and organised football with a coach. Just turn up if you'd like to see what goes on.
Trips are organised regularly and there are holiday activities as well.