Children and Families Work 

Well, it’s been a very busy December with lots to reflect on.

My visits to the Quest Primary school continue and I enjoyed researching the ‘advent‘ theme for my most recent assembly. We thought about preparing for Christmas and together made an ‘advent wreath’, including the candles and their meaning. I’ve been asked to prepare an Easter assembly in March, which, according to my diary, is not too far away!!

An enormous thank you to those who attended the ‘all age nativity’, where once again we took ourselves off to Bethlehem. This time we began with the creation story and reminded everyone how God had a plan to bring us back to him through the birth of Jesus. There were interactive opportunities, carols, and wonderful drama improvisation from those who wanted to join in. For others, it was a chance to reflect and maybe wave a few sheep. On reaching our destination, we were able to gather in the coffee lounge for a few ‘lite bites’, and conversation.

During December, I found a few moments to rehearse with the Preschool for their nativity, as their term came to an end. This was a chance to welcome parents and extended families with coffee and mince pies. I’m looking forward to continuing my relationship with Preschool and their parents’ coffee morning in January.

Adventure Tots had two Christmas parties, towards the end of term and were wonderfully entertained by Santa who gave out a new Christmas story ‘The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas’. In January we shall be running on Wednesday mornings only, as two mornings were becoming difficult to maintain. We were sad to make this change, but this has been a decision we have come to over the last year and are reflecting and praying about where God is leading us to in 2024.

We finished Christmas with lots of services. The Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve involved some activity tables, allowing those that wanted to, to be creative, during the service and reflect on the theme. This enabled us to be family together, all ages, which was a time to meet with each other in one space. Our Christingle afternoon, brought us visitors from the local community and we shared an interactive story, a Christmas game, songs and, of course, made our ‘Christingle oranges’. Each of the families took home some ideas on how to recycle their oranges and although I’m still surrounded by leftover sweets, we all agreed it was a very happy atmosphere.

So, as we begin 2024, I’m very grateful to those who have supported our children and families work, who continue to offer help with the Sunday clubs, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can continue to build up our children and family connections