Children and Young People

We are delighted to welcome you and your family to worship at St. Mary’s and Christ Church. As part of our worship we provide the following groups that cater especially for children. On your first Sunday you will be asked to complete a simple registration form. This is part of our parish child protection policy. All Christ Church children’s and young people’s group meet in the Parish Hall at 9.30 a.m. – simply come to the hall.

We also offer Uniformed Organisations so click on the images to find out more information....

At Christ Church, the whole Church meets together towards the end of the service for communion and often later share something of what has been happening in one or more of the children and young people’s 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.

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 for 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! If you arrive after 9.30a.m. you will need to ring the bell to gain access as the door is closed for safety reasons.

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 one 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 up and if necessary give them and yourself a few minutes’ break outside whilst 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.

St. Mary’s Sunday School (11a.m. at the New Warren tennis club)

Children aged from 0 to 12 are welcome at our friendly creche and Sunday School. Parents can leave children (over three) with us to attend the church service, or are welcome to stay with children under three. We meet term time only for games, activities and bible stories. Children also take part in gardening activities in our wildflower garden. All volunteers are members of the congregation who are CRB checked. We look forward to seeing you!

Please click here for a map to show where we meet.

Sarah Johnson runs the St. Mary’s Sunday school.
Christ Church Children’s Church Nursery (0-4 years)

Our Church Nursery seeks to provide worship and play for our pre-school (0-4yrs) children and their parents/carers.

Nursery starts with a shortened form of worship which includes our usual greeting, a short story from the bible, a song, prayers and concluding with the sharing of the peace. This service introduces children to worship and prepares them for attending church.

After the service the children then have the opportunity to participate in a craft activity linked where possible to the story of that that day and have some time to play.

At 10.15 the Nursery children and their parents prepare to join the rest of the congregation for communion in church.

Our Nursery prayer is:

Thank you God for our families, our homes and our friends;

for the fun we have here at church.

Help us to care for each other and to share with each other.

Amen

Dennis Weeks and Iain Ambler run Nursery Church.

Click here to see photos of Nursery Church
Christ Church Sunday School (4-7 years)

Sunday School caters for children aged between 4 and 8 years old.

We gather in the Church Hall before the service begins at 9.30am and usually begin with a song.

We then talk to the children about the session topic and read our story which may be from the bible or a suitable contemporary story.

Following discussion we say our prayers and move on to our activities.

If there is time we end the session with showing, discussion or another relevant story.

Children in nursery or reception are collected by their parents from the hall.

Older children go into Church with us to join in with the Communion and sit at the front of Church from where they should be collected by their parents at the end of the service.

Parent helpers are always needed and we cannot run the group with them.

Nicola Steele runs Christ Church Sunday School
Young People’s Group (7-11 years)

The group follows the readings of the day, with opportunities to think about what the bible says and to pray together. We will join the congregation during the offertory hymn. During family services, the group will sometimes lead the intercessions

Sheba Lockley runs YPG
Signpost for young people 11+

Signpost has its own programme with talks on topical issues, Sunday Brunch, and trips away including an outdoor activity weekend. Please contact the leaders for details.

27 March 11am brunch with a speaker.

10 April 11 am preparation of dramatised Passion Gospel

17 April 9.30am Signpost led Passion Gospel

8 May 11 am brunch with a speaker

12 June 11 am Signpost Taize service.

3 July 11 am Signpost to lead intercessions for Picnic Sunday at St Mary's.

16-18 September OR 30 September - 2 October Lambourne End.

Katharine Bramwell runs Signpost.

Click here to see photos of Signpost