The Church on Oakwood

The Church believes that nurturing the Christian faith of our young people is a vital part of its mission. To help parents and carers in their task of passing on the faith we offer a variety of groups for children and young people at our 10.30am service. 

SPARKLERS

The Sparklers group meets every Sunday and welcomes children aged between 3 and 5/6 years old. We use the Scripture Union material called 'Bubbles' which follows a theme each month based on stories, events and characters from the Old and New Testaments. In the past year topics covered have included Creation, talking to God, Isaac and his family, and of course, Christmas and Easter. Sheila Harper is in charge of coordinating this age group, and is assisted by a number of other volunteers.

ALL STARS/EXPLORERS

The Explorers and All Stars group meet every Sunday except for the first Sunday of the month, and is intended for children aged between 5 and 11 years old. Despite the big age gap, the group works very well together. We meet in the Upper Room or in the room next to the main church worship area. We use workbooks and materials from Scripture Union. Last December we performed the musical 'The Russian Shoemaker' for the Church's Nativity service, which was very well received by the congregation. Gill Allsop and Fiona Dennis are in charge of coordinating this age group, and have another leader and several assistants to help them.

DISCOVERERS

The Discoverers Group is for young people of Secondary School age. The group meets for a time of learning together on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. The young people start in the main worship area with the whole congregation and then go out to Discoverers part way through the service. The sessions aim to provide the young people with fun and fellowship and to help them discover more about God and what it means for Jesus to be their Saviour. The group is fairly small, but growing, with approximately 10 to 15 young people of varying attendance. The group leader is Jo Wattam who is supported by a number of assistants.

Join us!

You would be most welcome to bring your child to any of the groups, no advance notice is necessary. If you would like your child to become a regular member of a group, please ask a leader for a registration form.

CRECHE

There is also a creche available at the 10.30am service for babies and younger children, if parents need to take them out of the main worship service.

YOUTH ALPHA/YOUTH NIGHT

During the Autumn term 2008 and through to January 2009, we had seven young people wanting to meet together on Friday evenings for an Alpha Course. This began with a meal together with the adults, and ensured the evening started with food, fun and fellowship. The young people grew in their faith and encouraged and supported each other in their spiritual journey.

All of them decided they would like to be Confirmed by our Church leaders in February, and this was a very happy and uplifting occasion for the whole Church.

There is currently a Discoverers Youth Night for 11 to 18 year olds,this is held on the first and third Fridays of the month, 7.30pm to 8.45pm.

For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21

Child Protection

The protection of children is obviously of vital concern to the Church, and all our children's groups have both a leader and an assistant present during the session. All our volunteers have had a successful clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau. Our Child Protection Officer is Gwynne Shaw.

Volunteers needed!

Though we are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers helping children and young people to learn about the love of God and the teachings of Jesus, we are always in need of extra help. If you would like to volunteer as a leader, or as an assistant (which involves no preparation), we would be grateful if you could let one of the children's leaders know or talk to one of the Stewards on Sunday. Alternatively you can contact Reverend Lindsay Hughes.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God"  Mark 10:14