Children & Teenagers at St John’s

Junior Church & Crèche at St John’s –

Music & Praying Workshops, Story Telling & Creative Activities

First Sundays

We have a Family Service, with everyone worshipping together in the Church building. Within this, there are opportunities for the children to engage in the worship, much of which is prepared on the Sunday before.

Second & Third Sundays (and fourth, if there is a fifth)

There are Junior Church sessions (for primary school age children) from 9.55am. Activities include story telling and creative play. Each includes short times of welcome and worship, along withan act of confession. This enables everyone to prepare for rejoining the main service, especially those who receive communion . The activities are based on the Sunday’s theme and readings or upcoming special events. We hope through these to enable the children’s understanding, as we accompany them on their Christian journeys.

 Last Sundays of the Month (fourth or fifth)

There are Music and Praying Workshops from 9.55am. The sessions are led by leaders experienced in this area, and are aimed at helping the children engage fruitfully during the following Sundays’ Family Services. As with the other Junior Church activities, the sessions include short periods of welcome and worship.

The Under 4s

There is a crèche facility on the second and third Sundays from 9.55am. However, there are also opportunities for them to join in some appropriate Junior Church activities. They are also welcome to join the music workshops, although we ask that a parent or carer stays with them for that.

Junior Church Activities

The Junior Church has grown over the last month or so, particularly in leaders, with two new leaders starting working with the children.  We thank them, and the other new leaders who will be starting in the coming months, for their time, energy and commitment.

The children have enjoyed the recent sessions.  On Pentecost Sunday, they created a brilliant banner, covered in flames, to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, which is now up in the Church for everyone to see.

And on Trinity Sunday, in the service, they explored their understanding of God, through seeing, tasting and smelling a large orange!

Upcoming special events include:

A Family Service on Sunday 5th July, when Revd Elizabeth will celebrate her first family communion. 

• An end of term summer picnic, after church on Sunday 26 July.
• A Family Service on Sunday 2nd August.
• The parish Barbecue on Saturday 29th August.

If you are interested in the Junior Church, please contact Revd Elizabeth on 01483 560553.

Youth Group for Secondary School Students - Space @ St John's

Space @ St John's met again on the first Sunday of June and had a discussion about listening and support of others, based on the film Chocolat, while enjoying mugs of tea and chocolate squares from M&S.

Following requests, the group is now going to meet twice a month, from July, so no one misses out if they can't always make first Sunday.  The meetings will now be on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

If you are interested in coming along to Space @ St John's, call Revd Elizabeth on 01483 560553, or just turn up at the 6.30pm service on July 5th (Informal Eucharist) or July 19th (Meditation) or for 7.15pm on either dates at the Centre.  The group will meet in August only on August 2nd, due to holidays.

Other Information & Activities at St John’s –

First Communion, Serving, Bell Ringing & Child Protection

Children & Communion

We run sessions at least annually to prepare children for their First Communion (Communion before Confirmation). If you have a child who is seven or older, and who wishes to be prepared for First Communion, please have a word with one of the clergy.

Serving

Following first communion, there are opportunities for all (particularly children and teenagers) to join the Holy Communion serving team. Starting as an acolyte (candle bearer), they will receive further “on the job” training in all aspects of this special and important ministry. If you have a family members who is interested in this part of the Church’s life, please have a word with one of the clergy, or speak with Helen Chambers our Head Server.

Bell Ringing

For teenagers, there are opportunities to try out bell ringing. If you had a family member who is interested, please have a word with a member of the clergy or the Bell Tower Captain, Jonathan Banton.

Confirmation

Confirmation classes are run at least once a year and all older teenagers and adults who wish are welcome to join them. If you or a family member is interested, please speak with one of the clergy.

Keeping our children and teenagers safe

In accordance with our Child Protection Policy, all leaders will hold enhanced CRB clearance. Regular helpers will be required to complete a confidential declaration and apply for a Standard Disclosure from the CRB.