Sunday Youth Activities
At St Michael’s we take kids seriously. After all, they are our future … the seeds we plant are the trees of tomorrow.
On Sundays we are committed to making them as welcome as adults, so we try to provide a supportive, nurturing and fun environment for them to explore some issues of faith and community.
Young people are welcome to participate on Sundays in the following ways:
- Welcoming people to church
- Serving in the main service
- Singing in the choir/singing group
- Taking the collection
- Reading during the service
- Participating during All Age Eucharists and special services
- Collecting hymn books at the end of the service
- Helping with refreshments after the service
Babies (0-3 years)
At the back of Church there are some ‘Borrow bags’, which contain a few small items which parents are welcome to use during the service. After all, don’t babies find other people’s toys much more interesting that the ones their parents have brought for them on a Sunday morning! There’s also a children’s book stand which you are free to use as well. And there’s a crèche room with some other toys, and a loudspeaker so parents can access the service whilst feeling less stressed about Junior singing and shouting during the quieter bits of the service.
Church Mice (3-7 years)
Church Mice meet in the Chapel (left off the Narthex – main entrance). We gather from about 9.55, and usually join the main service from the Peace onwards, depending on how exciting the session has been or how much glue we have to remove from small fingers! This means that children can participate in Holy Communion and receive a blessing if they wish. We welcome all children from their 3rd birthday, but we ask that you initially stay with them until they are settled. We will always come and find you in Church if they get upset later on. The group is run by volunteers who use a planned termly curriculum. This mirrors the seasons and festivals, using art, craft, song and games to bring Bible stories and themes to life.
Good News Group (7 years +)
The Good News Group meets in the Church Hall from 9.55 am. We too join the main service from the Peace, so members are invited to receive a Blessing or Communion depending on whether or not they are confirmed. Young people from this group are chosen to help take the collection in the main service. We are open to children from Year 3 onwards; although teens are welcome to dip in and out of the group should they wish. We use a planned termly curriculum mirroring the seasons and festivals.
Workshops (3 years +)
Once or twice a term, we link both groups to have a fun workshop session in the church hall. Sometimes we undertake art and craft activities, other times we play games and have fun. Themes covered over the past year have included Christian Aid and Development/Free Trade, Lent, and looking after our world.
Over the past year we have also made large angel Christmas decorations, candles for Candlemas, Mothering Sunday Gift Boxes, enjoyed new school year games and Harvest artwork, shared in Poppy-making for Remembrance Sunday, and made Advent art.
Behaviour management
All our groups are run by volunteers, who give freely of their time and energy. We are in compliance with the London Diocesan guidance on Child Protection. But to help our groups run safely and smoothly for children and adults alike, we operate ‘Golden Rules’ very similar to those used in local schools such as St Paul’s with St Michael’s. This way the children are familiar with expectations we have of them so everyone can stay safe and happy. As parents you can help by ensuring that your child is comfortable before coming to the Group so we do not spend the session taking children to the bathroom in quick succession!
In the Autumn of 2007, the children discussed what we should focus on, and they came up with the following:
- Stay Safe – once your parent/carer has left you, stay in the Group room, don’t leave the Group room without permission, keep off the stage (when in the hall).
- Show Respect – speak to adults and children … no swearing, treat others as you would like to be treated.
Projects
This year, we raised £35 for Children in Need by selling cakes one Sunday after Church, and for the past 2 years have encouraged children at school and adults in our congregation to contribute to our African sheep appeals at Christmas. We have raised money to purchase a total of 16 woolly friends as a result.
How can carers and congregation help us?
We are always on the lookout for new members of the Youth team – at present we are fortunate to have approximately 20 volunteers who contribute as regularly as once-twice a month, or once a half term. We need:
- people to act in supporter as well as leader roles.
- people to help prepare materials for our activities (e.g. cutting out paper templates or pictures from magazines).
- people who don’t mind being asked to come in at short notice when we might need an extra pair of hands to help with art and craft activities.
- people to keep an eye open for new materials such as books and websites we might use to create our sessions.
You can always let Alan know or email Julie.
But, even if you feel unable to undertake any of the above, we would still appreciate your prayers and support as we try to encourage the journey of faith here at St. Michael’s.
