Children's work is an important part of our ministry in the Chet Valley.
We run Noah's Ark, a weekly drop in group for babies, toddlers and their carers.
To find out about the work of Xpressions, our events aimed at families with children, see our Calendar of Events.
Our Children & families Worker is Alison Ball. Here is Alison's latest report on our work:
Children and Families Work April-May 2010
Following two planning meetings, things are now well on the way, and I have been asked already by a number of people when the forms are coming out. I’d like to ask for continued prayers for this: that the final details will fall into place easily, that helpers will feel confident and ready to share their faith particularly on the subjects of healing and raising the dead, for those families whose children might come to be open to the invitation.
Worship starts this month on May 19th on the theme of Pentecost. We have advertised within the group as well as having a notice in Chet News and Contact. We wait to see who comes!
Assemblies continue in both the infant and junior schools.
Infant School
I am in the planning stages of an art day for the KS1 children in the infant school. It will be based on some of the techniques on view there eg marbling, sewing, tiles ... It is due to happen in the next half term.
Junior School
We were warmly thanked for our support during the latest OFSTED inspection. The inspectors were very interested to hear about lunch club and listeners. They also enjoyed our assembly. The Easter assembly on Maundy Thursday in Holy Trinity was appreciated by everyone. We explored the story using a variety of food items: coconut, hot cross bun, easter egg, fish fingers! Two classes visited HT recently as part of their RE. Each class is producing a booklet about the church. They made sketches of the outside and explored the inside through investigation of Eucharist, baptism and the bible. Thanks to Jill and Richard S for helping me with this. They are holding a competition for the best booklets which will then be on display in the church.
Easter egg hunt:
Our usual event on Easter Saturday drew around 50 children. The rain held off and everyone enjoyed going round the courses, some parents commenting with thanks on how much fun their children had had. Thanks to the Bryce family for laying the courses out, to Georgina for helping them to book people in and to Margaret Hands for providing refreshment for everyone.
Baptisms:
There have been several more enquiries about baptism for this year.
Training:
Jill, Richard S and Alison all attended a creative, interactive storytelling morning. It was good to discover on reflection that we are already using many different methods; to be shown some other ideas and to have the chance to plan and practise a story whilst we were there.