Children and Young People
Junior Church
Junior Church meets at 9:50am, just before the 10:00am service each Sunday, except on the first Sunday of the month. We meet in the Windhill Churches Centre, next to the church and all children aged 3 to 11 years come together for a short joint worship session before splitting into various groups, according to their age. All the children then rejoin their families in church in time to share in the Eucharist. On the first Sunday of each month, we all come together to the Parish Praise service in church.
If you would like your child to join one of the groups, please introduce him/her to the leaders on duty on Sunday or contact the appropriate leader (listed below) or contact the Parish Office.
|
Name of group |
Ages |
School year |
Leader |
|
Scramblers |
3-5 |
Pre-school |
Joe Williams |
|
Climbers |
5-7 |
Reception - Year 2 |
Clare Tozer |
|
Explorers |
7-11 |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
Bill Macdonald |
Those in Year 6 upwards are warmly invited to come to our Youth Home Group which meets each week on a Wednesday or Sunday.
Contact The Rev'd Anthony Searle for more details.
Other Helpful Hints!
In general, children progress from one group to the next, usually at the beginning of the school year in September, but also at other times depending on the age mix of the group.
We ask children to bring some money each week to put towards Tearfund projects. If there is any money over, it helps in the cost of running Junior Church. As a rough guide, a minimum of 50p per child per week is hoped for, but every contribution is gratefully received.
Boys’ Brigade
The object of the Boys’ Brigade is the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among boys, and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline and self-respect. The present Bishop’s Stortford Company is a joint St. Michael’s/Methodist Church Company, into which boys of all denominations (or none) are welcomed. The Company meets on Monday evenings at the Methodist Church Hall. The Anchor Boys (ages 5-7) meet from 5.30pm to 6.45pm and the Junior Section (ages 7-11) from 6.30pm to 8.15pm. All sections have a short period of devotion, and the youngest boys have games, stories, musical activities and simple craft/art work. The Juniors work for Achievement Badges based on Spiritual, Physical, Interest, Adventure and Community areas. Church Parades are held mainly in the Methodist Church, but the Company Colours are kept in St. Michael’s.
Contact - The Revd Anthony Searle
Junior Servers
Junior Servers assist in the preparation and administration of Holy Communion/ Eucharist. Junior Servers wear vestments (robes) and process with the Clergy, Communion Assistants and Adult Servers. Junior Servers are usually on duty with an experienced, Adult Server. There are duties for the service before (e.g., lighting candles); during (e.g. holding the Gospel Book, and performing the ablutions, or washing the priest’s hands), and after (e.g., snuffing candles). There is quite a lot to learn, but Junior Servers are rewarded with feeling they are assisting in and giving dignity to the worship of Almighty God, by helping God’s people concentrate on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Contact - Claire Conquest
Tiny Tots
Tiny tots are welcome to bring their mothers, fathers and carers along every Wednesday at 10.00a.m. The grown-ups can take communion whilst us little ones play together in the crèche. This is followed at 10.45 by a very informal service where we all join in singing songs and marching around the church. Good fun!
The Crèche
Under 3s. Meet In the kitchen at the back of the church. The crèche is supervised, but please feel free to settle your child. There is a speaker in the kitchen to allow you to hear the service.