I was wondering how to explain what exactly happens on Sunday mornings for our children, so here’s a snap shot from last Sunday:

Our Children’s groups start at about 10.45am on a Sunday, so children experience a short taste of the main Church for a couple of songs, and perhaps some notices, then our children go out to their groups. Crèche is for the 0-3’s, some parents stay if their little ones need reassurance. In the crèche we have Monty mouse who does the singing and prayer time, its the same Monty Mouse who helps at Jigsaw, our toddler service on Fridays. Sparklers are our 4-5 year old’s group. They have a small puppet called Jack who does the Bible story. Connected is for 6-8 year olds and Connected + is for children in School years 3-5. These groups run most Sundays from 10.45 – 11.40, and while we are holding our services at the Junior School we are using the year 3/4 classrooms.
Last Sunday in Connected & Connected+ we started off with our Bible story under a tent, as we studied Acts 18: 1-3. It was amazing to learn that Paul “bumped into” 2 fellow tent makers in Corinth. Paul had had to leave Athens, and Aquila and Priscilla had to leave Italy and they all ended up in Corinth. They all had a trade in common, and they got on with working, (making tents) and preaching in this new town. We then looked at Colossians 3:12-17.  and saw what we might decide to wear in 2018. There was a craft activity to dress up a figure in the virtues of Colossians 3:12 and there were shrieks of delight as groups took part in a very popular game of dress up in hat, gloves & scarf and cut and eat a bar of chocolate with a knife and fork game. The rest of the children were frantically trying to roll a 6 to make it their turn to dress up and try and eat the chocolate.  Thankfully everyone managed to have a turn before the morning was over and before the end, we spent time praying for things which were mentioned by the children.
The memory verse from last Sunday was Colossians 3:12 Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. If any of the younger ones find this too long, if they can remember “clothe yourselves with compassion”.
The leaders were so encouraged to see so many children there last Sunday, it was a great turn out.
Hopefully we will see you all on Sunday this weekend too, there’s always room for more if you’ve never been along before, you will be sure to receive a warm welcome.
Helen Buick, Head of Children’s Ministry