Junior Church

Meeting Time

Junior Church meets on the second and third Sunday of every month (and at St. Mary's Theydon Bois on the 4th Sunday too). It takes place during the morning service - 9:15 to 10:00 at All Saints' Theydon Garnon and from 10:30 to 11:15 at St. Mary's Theydon Bois. 

Membership

We welcome any child who wishes to attend either on a one off visit or as a regular member. There are no rules about the ages of children who join. At present our children range from one year old to 16 year olds. Our older children often continue to attend as helpers and parents are very welcome to accompany young children until they are confident enough to be left.

Aims

We aim to give the children a thorough understanding of the Christian faith and values. We hope that they will take what they have learnt at church into their everyday lives and that this faith will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We hope that the children will enjoy children’s church and that they will make new friends in a secure and happy environment.

Our Sessions

At every session we pray and the children are introduced to the same Bible passage that is being read in Church that day. A wide variety of activities are used to help deepen the children’s understanding. These include: arts and crafts, drama, games and cookery. In the summer months we are lucky to have the use of the beautiful churchyard and the children love to play outside. The children often go into the church at the end of the service to receive a blessing.

At St Mary's Theydon Bois, sessions are run in partnership with the Red Balloon Family Foundation 

Participation in the life of the Church

The children are fully involved in the life of the church and frequently take part in the special services. We are often asked to make a presentation or read the prayers in services such as Mothering Sunday, Harvest or the Christingle Service. Any child who is confident enough will be able to take part. Other responsibilities we have are to decorate the Christmas Tree in Church and to make The Easter Garden.

Special Events

We support The Children’s Society and the children host cake sales after some of the special services to raise money for the Children's Society (www.childrenssociety.org.uk) . At All Saints' Theydon Garnon, the Strawberry Tea is especially popular (held in the summer) and the children enjoy going strawberry picking to prepare for this. We also have fun decorating a Christmas Tree in The St John’s annual Christmas Tree Festival.

Leaders

All Leaders of Junior Church are fully training in Safeguarding.