Junior Church

We have a very active and lively junior church with approximately 18 children and average attendance of 12.  The children learn the bible through craft activities which they seem to enjoy.  We use the Roots magazine most weeks but occasionally we have devised  our own programme for special occasions.  The children are a delight.  They sit in church for the first 15 minutes approximately.  During this time the minister or whoever is preaching will deliver a children's address.  This is then followed by a children's choice of hymn.

Then the children go out into the hall.  This is a time we dicuss the bible theme and to explore this further we then use crafts, drama and games.  It is different every week.  I find that as adults this can also develop our own faith and I am surprised at how much the children know or how much information they can retain.  The children are also very good at singing and I have often been moved by them.

Recently we explored at how we are the body of Christ and that we can be used by Him.  They grasped this really well.  We then played the music of this which the children mimed to.  They invented the movements and then this was done in front of the church.

Whatever activity or craft the children have been doing we then come in at the end of the service to inform the congregation and to show the art work.  This is to ensure that the children's work does not remain a mystery, helps them to feel valued and part of the church and hopefully ensures the congregation that we are teaching the children the right things.  Sometimes it might make the adults think as well!

The children are then given biscuits, juice and fruit when service is finished.

We recently had an alternative hallowen party which the children decided to name angel's party.  Fun was had by all.  We did not want them to celebrate Hallowen and it is hard for them seeing their friends going out clebrating so this was to be our answer.

We have a lovely band of regular volunteers who give their time to to making Junior Church work and we could not manage this without them.  Amanda, Claire, Steve, Karen, Paul, Trisha, Sue, Tracey, Michelle.  Our older children love to help the younger and these include Hannah B, Hannah G, Daniella, Chloe.  However it is very worthwhile because all the children seem to help each other and their is a very caring atmosphere.