Children at St John’s

Our children have a big part to play in life at St John’s church, particularly through the Caravaners sessions and the quarterly Family Services.

Caravaners

Caravaners is the children’s group at St Johns. We meet in the parish room every Sunday during the 10.30am service except on Family Service days when the children join with the rest of the congregation.

We try to make the Caravaners sessions fun, interesting and active!  We use a wide range of resources and teaching styles but a typical session might include:

·       welcome and news sharing time

·       game to introduce the theme for the session

·       teaching and discussion about the theme

·       prayers

·       craft or practical activity to reinforce what they have been thinking about

Back in church, the service includes time for the children to ‘show and tell’ what they have been doing. The congregation is very appreciative as the theme of our session often mirrors that of the main church and the children can often provide a different perspective. They always get a round of applause!

Children of all ages can come to the Caravaners sessions as we try to make them relevant to all our children. They work together as a team, with the older children helping the young children where necessary.

 And, finally…why ‘Caravaners’?

 In the early days of our children’s group, before the building of the parish room, sessions were held in a small caravan, tucked away behind the church. It was great fun but not as much fun as having the big parish room to play in!

 Family Services

Family Service days are very busy for the children - they welcome at the beginning of the service, help to choose the hymns, play their instruments, sing, read lessons, give presentations, take the collection, and prepare and say prayers. Each quarterly service is planned to involve them as much as possible.