Welcoming Children and Families to Worship
Christ Church
Family Eucharist
Sundays at 9.30 am

Our Family Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP…

It is a delight to welcome you and your family to worship at Christ Church.

It is sometime said that our children are the church of tomorrow. This is of course wrong, they, with us, are the church of today and each of us is to have a valued place within our whole church family.

At our 9.30 Family Eucharist we seek to provide worship which is inclusive and where we are able to respect and care for each other as we come before God.

As part of our worship we provide the following groups that cater especially for children. These all begin at 9.30 in the Parish Hall – simply come to the hall. On your first Sunday you will be asked to complete a simple registration form. This is part of our parish child protection policy.

Crèche for children 0 - 4 Crèche meets nearly every Sunday of the year with toys for the younger children and simple activities often related to the theme of our worship. There are also songs and simple prayers. The service is relayed into the Hall via a radio link for those staying with children to follow. As children grow in confidence we would expect that parents will be able to leave children in the care of the crèche leaders while they join the rest of the congregation in church.

Crèche joins with the congregation in church at communion, please try to come in quietly, and do sit near the front so your children can see and participate in the last part of the service. If you are in church please go to crèche to collect your child when the congregation begins to receive communion.

Sunday School aged 4 – 7. Sunday School meets in term time and on some major feasts with songs, prayers and teaching for children. The children join with the congregation in church either at the Peace or at Communion. The older ones sit together until the end of the service when they rejoin their parents.

Young Peoples Group aged 7 – 11. This group follows the readings of the day, with opportunities to think about what the bible says to us and to pray together. They join with the congregation in church at the peace. Young People’s group sometime leads prayers or other activities in church.

Signpost for young people at Secondary School Signpost has its own program with talks on topical issues, Sunday Brunch, and trips away. Please contact the leaders for details.

The Whole Church meets together towards the end of the service for communion, often sharing something of what has been happening in one or more of the children and young peoples groups.

Child Protection Policy The Parish has an agreed Child Protection Policy, this includes the checking of all paid and voluntary leaders with the Criminal Records Bureau, adult to child ratios, and agreements for the changing and toileting of younger children. The church is also adopting a Health and Safety policy to further ensure the safety of all who worship. Please click here.

HELPING OUR CHILDREN TO WORSHIP

Our children won’t always be perfect or quiet in church and we shouldn’t be frightened if they make a noise. Our watchword young or old is respect – for God and each other. You can help your children by:

Arriving for church on time. Clergy greet the groups meeting in the hall at 9.30 – please aim for the children to arrive by 9.25. Late arrivals are very disruptive!

Coming prepared For babies and young children don’t forget the basics, nappies, a favourite toy or book. Perhaps a simple box of raisins or piece of fruit if necessary but please - the service is not the time for sweets or crisps!

Using the resources in church There are green bags with an appropriate book and simple quiet toys for babies and young children by the book stand in church – please help yourself or ask on of the sidesmen. For slightly older children there is an illustrated service book, which is great to follow together.

Demonstrating respect by your behaviour Church is a time to be quiet, please talk to God during the service and your friends afterwards!

Taking responsibility for your children. Help the children enjoy the music, colour and prayers – point out quietly what is happening, and engage them with the worship. And if as happens to us all sometimes our children are naughty – don’t make a fuss, but please do pay them attention and intervene appropriately. If young ones are crying do pick them and if necessary give them and yourself a few minutes break outside while they calm down – though do come back in!

Helping your children to pray. Take some quiet time with them during the week and before church to talk about what happens, the singing, their friends, that Church is where we meet as God’s big family with Jesus who loves us. Why not say the Lord’s Prayer with them so they can learn our family prayer.

Then… together, young and old enjoy the privilege of this great gift of God in worship and in community.