UNDER 18s AT ST BOTOLPH'S CHURCH

A great way to enjoy the Christian journey together with your friends .

Services

Children are welcome at all our services. Our monthly 11.15am All-Age and weekly 9.30am Family Communion services are especially children focussed.

St Botolph’s children usually meet in groups during the 9.30am Family service except on the third Sunday in the month when we can join together for the All-Age service at 11.15am. At special celebrations such as Christmas, Easter and Harvest Festival the 9.30am service is an all-age Holy Communion and children join in with the full service. Groups run in term-time only.

All-Age 11.15am

This service is particularly designed for young families, but we welcome regular older worshippers too. It runs for about 45 minutes and is not a Communion service. We try to use more child-accessible words and music in our worship. We often use games, sketches, quizzes and action songs during the service, so it’s quite interactive. We are led by a worship band which includes some of our young people. We welcome all new worshippers, who may find it a good, and hopefully enjoyable, introduction to a Church of England service.

Children’s Groups – 9.30am Family Communion

The Bible is at the centre of worship and learning and we aim to follow the main themes of the adult congregation using material from “Roots Magazine”.

We are lucky enough to have a loyal band of CRB checked leaders and assistants from our congregation and so are able to run three age specific groups.
• Scramblers group provides structured activities for the under 6’s in our church family. We enjoy games, stories and craft activities.
• Climbers / Explorers use material from Roots Magazine for discussion, crafts and games aimed at 6s to 10s.
• Pathfinders use Roots and other resources to stimulate our 11-16’s. It provides a link to our youth group, many of the older Pathfinders also joining in with the youth group activities (see below).

Many children are confident to come to their group alone but parents and carers are always welcome to join in the fun.

When groups are running, our children start in the 9.30am service. We invite them to the front of the congregation where a special prayer is said before leaving as a group to join their activities in the cloister and vestry. They return in time to join in the Peace. ,

Children and Holy Communion

From the age of seven, children with their parent’s permission may participate in a short course in preparation to receive Holy Communion. Children from the age of twelve may be prepared to be confirmed. Children and adults who do not receive Communion are always welcome to receive a blessing.

Our Child Protection Guidelines, approved by the PCC in can be found on our notice boa

House Group

House Group meets at Jenny and Peter Flewers' house (25 Farleigh Fields, Orton Wistow) on the Friday before the second Saturday of the month between 7.30 and 9.00 p.m. Here we discuss issues such as Why Does God Allow Suffering? and What Does God think of Other Religions?

Yobby Dogs

Yobby Dogs meets at St. Botolph's church the Friday after House Group (unless otherwise stated) between 8.00 and 9.30pm. This is a place where Young People can socialise, play on the Wii, Table Tennis, Snooker and Table Football, as well has having a shorter discussion on issues such as Class, War, and Charitable Giving.

 Sticky Fingers Families’ Group

Young (and not so young!) families enjoy a range of social activities in the school holidays. These include trips to Ferry Meadows, Central Park and play and chat at families’ homes. Do come and join us.

Choir

Several young people are members of St Botolph’s Choir who worship at the 9.30am Family Communion Service.

We are pleased to welcome outside organisations into St Botolph's including –

Longthorpe Mums and Tots and Pre-School

St Botolph’s Mothers’ Union provide refreshments for the Mums and Tots group, who along with Longthorpe Pre-School, come to Church for special services during the year.

Uniformed organisations

We host Longthorpe Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and their friends and families for their twice yearly parade service at St Botolph’s.

Contacts

All – Age Chris Walker ----- Family Communion Childrens Groups Yvette Magri --- or Sarah Vassiliades ---