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This congregation is fortunate in that we have a wonderful group of children who attend Church. The children stay for the first part of the Service, they have a story told to them and then they “disappear underground” and re- emerge at the end of Service!! The format of a Unitarian Service means that, unlike say a Catholic Mass, those present need to be able to hear the Service, so from the perspective of adults Sunday Club works really well. For the majority in the church, Sunday Club is a mystery, one that we are happy to leave undisturbed. The Children don’t complain so we just let them carry on – with whatever they do downstairs. This attitude to our Sunday Club is very short sighted, the Children are our future, we must cherish them as being part of the Congregation. For about the past two years Michael Barry, with help from other parents, has taken on the responsibility for Sunday Club. So we say a big “thank you” to Michael, and to everyone who has helped care for the children in Sunday Club. To try to help us to make our Sunday Club the best Sunday Club that it can be and to ensure the safety of our children, we invited Rev. John Harley to lead a workshop on Saturday 22nd May. John is the “Youth Information Officer” in Essex Hall. The workshop was well attended, it was great fun, and the participants had lots of ideas of how Sunday Club can be made more inviting for the children. At the end of three hours these are the suggestions we came up with.
ideas that were shared by those present Store equipment in cupboard and using the Damer Hall for activities. Sort out a pre-school area Consider different age groups – possibly using vestry for older children and Damer Hall for pre-schoolers Paint vestry and tidy it up Play more games Look into installing a paid coordinator who can organise the rota and the programme and ensure that safeguarding procedures are carried out and good practise is followed. Consider a monthly contribution from parents toward the work of the Sunday club. Set up a focus group of children – ask them for their ideas/input. Organise a year planner – with a programme of themes. Ask skilled people to lead special workshop. Invite people from other faiths. Develop a coming of age group. Create an 8 year olds’ alternative communion (and think of a better name!) Children to lead an entire Sunday service. Children to re-join the end of the service and show what they have made/done
It is not our intention that the workshop was just a talking shop, we intend to implement some or all of the above ideas. If anyone has ideas to contribute or help to offer please do let me know.
Rev Bridget Spain - - May 2010 |