Children & Young People @ St Mary’s

Children are not just the “church of tomorrow”, but the church of today, and therefore they are a vital part of the life of St Mary’s. We run a range of regular activities for children aged a few months to teens.

                        

Please click here to download our Children and Youth leaflet. Please click here to download our safeguarding children policy.

We are sad to announce that, due to Coronavirus advice, we have cancelled our next Messy Church on Palm Sunday 5 April 2020 at St Mary's - we will meet again later in the year.

For past Messy Church and Get There! activities please scroll down
to the sub-pages at the bottom of this page. 

The crèche is available every 10 am Communion Service for children aged 0 – 3 years. It takes place in the Tower Room, to which the service is relayed through a speaker, and which provides a good view of the service taking place in the church below. There is a range of toys, books and drawing materials, and two helpers are always present to care for the children, giving parents and carers the opportunity to attend church on their own if they choose.

                                   

Sunday School

The Sunday School (for age 4+) meets every Sunday except the first of the month (when we have our All Age Worship), and during the school holidays. We aim to give the children the opportunity and encouragement to explore the Christian faith, while enjoying themselves and making new friends. We hope they will have fun as they learn about God and the Christian story through Bible stories, music, discussion, prayer, art and craft, drama and games.

There are two groups, one for children aged 3-5 and another for children aged 6-10, and we have a wonderful team of leaders, adult helpers, and teenage helpers. 

                                

          

The children often like to share with the congregation what they have been doing in Sunday School, and to be involved in the All Age Worship through presenting short plays, or introducing the congregation to new songs they have learned. Almost all the children (together with many of the teenagers), are involved in our Crib Service each year, and enjoy taking part in other special services such as our Mothering Sunday Service.

                  

We have various social activities during the year either specifically for the children, such as the Swimming Party and Tea, or which involve the children, such as the Parish Barbecue. 

               

                 

11 Plus children

Most of the secondary aged children in the church attend our 5.30 Informal Service, suitable for all ages, which takes place every Sunday except for the first Sunday of the month. (We suspect the popularity of this service amongst the younger members of the congregation may be in part due to the homemade cakes on offer before the service!).

St Mary's in the schools

Fusion

Fusion is the Christian Lunchtime Club which we run weekly for the Junior age children at Marlborough St Mary's C of E Infant School.

At Fusion we introduce the children to Jesus and the Bible using dramatized story reading (in which all enthusiastically participate!); art and craft; puzzles and games, and short discussions. Both leaders and children agree that (to quote one of the children) “Fusion is fun!”

 

We have fun playing with the parachute!

 

 

                                

Open The Book

Open the Book is a series of short plays covering the major stories of the Bible. The stories offer children the opportunity to hear and see the wonder and mystery of the Bible. A team from St Mary's and Christchurch go into Marlborough St Mary's Church of England Infant School to "act out" these stories.