Children are part of our family at St. James Church and are always welcome!!
Children are included in all services, but particularly the Family Services, such as Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas. There is a children's corner at the back of the church, with beanbags to sit on and a bookcase in the shape of a castle. A few toys are available to amuse little ones, too. In time, we hope to increase the area and provide small-scale table and chairs.
If by any chance you should become embarrassed by a persistently crying child, you are welcome to go into the Vestry with your child, where you can sit and hear the proceedings in the main body of the church over the sound system. Toys and colouring materials are also available there.
Toilet facilities are available in the Ale House, which is the timber-framed building adjacent to the graveyard.
What is SEEKERS and why have it??
SEEKERS is St James Sunday School - only the term sounded somewhat old-fashioned and not suitable for this day and age. SEEKERS, however, is what all Christians are: seeking spirituality, truth, God, something to make sense in the world. For the children SEEKERS is an introduction to the teachings of the bible and the way Jesus wants us to live our lives - it is also a lot of fun!!
When SEEKERS are advertised, we make special arrangements for children, which are more suitable for them than sitting still listening to sermons directed at adults.
Arrangements for SEEKERS are as follows
On SEEKERS Sundays, everyone comes into church for the first
part of the service. Then, the children go to their special activities,
returning
in time to receive a blessing during the communion. All the children
have teaching which is related to the theme being followed in
the main church service on that Sunday, but geared to their particular
ages. There are two age groups in the Ale House:
Children aged 3,4 and under 5 are looked after by our "ResidentGranny",
who hopes to give a sense of continuity and security to the little
ones.
Children aged 5 to 7 are looked after by SEEKERS Leaders, who
serve on a rota system.
We do not have a creche, but parents and guardians
are welcome
to bring their toddlers into the Ale House and stay with them.
Parents and guardians are always welcome to sit in on our sessions.
What about older children and teenagers??
TEENAGERS have their own special group, which is arranged by Mrs Barbara Ashton, telephone 01684 541287. The ENIGMA GROUP, as it is called, meets in a private house outside normal church service times. It enables older children and teenagers to address their own particular concerns and interests; yet also gives them time to take a full part in adult church activities.