We have the privilege of having a large number of children coming regularly to St. Barnabas. Our children’s and youth leader, Jen, together with dedicated volunteers, organises and runs various children’s and youth activities, both here at church and also at one of our local primary schools. The children’s work at St. Barnabas is one of our growth areas and primary strengths.
We want children and young people to visit our church and find a place where they feel loved and accepted, come to know Christ and develop relationships with Him by giving them opportunities and encouraging them to pursue friendship with God through fun, engaging and life-changing experiences. We want to encourage them to use their God-given gifts and be a positive influence to their friends who do not know Jesus. We want parents to find a place where their lives are impacted by what they see happening in the lives of their children and feel encouraged and supported as they nurture their child’s spiritual development.
Sunday club (for children from age 2) meets every Sunday morning (except when the service is for all ages). The children start off in the main service with their parents/carers, and then they go to their group. Currently, the children meet as one group with the older children helping the younger ones and we follow an appropriate teaching curriculum throughout the year.
There is a dedicated room where parents can take their babies/children under 2 years of age to play. If parents prefer to stay in church during the service with their baby or toddler, there is a seated area at the back of church with toys for the children to play with.
On the third Sunday of each month, we have breakfast (toast & jam, fruit, pastries, fruit juice) and play games to enable friendships between the children.
This is a free, fun club on Fridays from 5.15 – 6.45 pm in term time, and is for children aged 4 – 12 years (reception to year 7). We play games, do crafts and activities, have stories and snacks.
Toddler group meets on Thursdays in term time from 9.30 – 11.30 am for parents/carers and children under 5 years. We have songs, a story and free play.
We provide snacks for the children and coffee/tea and cakes for parents and carers. We charge £1 for the first child and 50p for subsequent children. Under 9 months are free.
Any donation however is accepted but please come along even if money is an issue – you will be most welcome.
Youth group is for young people aged 11 to 18 and generally meets on the first Sunday of the month from 5.45 – 7.15 pm. The sessions involve exploring relevant topics in the Bible and playing group games including basketball, air hockey, pool and table football.
There is a tuck shop with prices varying between 10p and £1. Sometimes there are group outings to various appropriate youth events. As times and location can vary, please check with Jen on 07531 727083.
We have a strong link with Ashgate Primary School, and we provide a lunch club on alternate Fridays offering a story/lesson and a craft with some of the children. Here’s what some of them have said:
“Lunch Club is great – I love it”
“Jen is really kind and caring and she always has lots of fun things for us to do which helps us learn”
“I love Lunch Club – it makes Friday fun”
“It’s fun learning about new things and about Jesus every week. The games are good for boosting your mood”
“I like learning about Jesus. We do fun activities”
“It’s fun. I like how we learn different facts about Jesus and what his family did”
Messy Church is a way of being church for people of all ages involving fun, creativity, hospitality and celebration. We have Messy Church at St. Barnabas four times a year: Christmas, Easter, summer and harvest. These are noisy, happy, family fun times with lots of crafts, food and a celebration. It’s great to see so many parents and children from church and our local community coming along and having fun and developing friendships.
For more information about Messy Church, go to: What is Messy Church?
Rainbows welcomes all girls from 4 to 7 years old to laugh, learn and have fun in a creative safe space. Rainbows has been meeting at St Barnabas every Tuesday in term time for over 20 years. Each session involves learning, games, crafts, building confidence, having lots of fun and making new friends.
If you would like to register your daughter to join this group, or you want to find out more information about Rainbows, go to: Girlguiding/Rainbows
The application form will then be passed on to Bluebell who leads the group here at St Barnabas.
