Saint Michael’s Church
Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford. Well Worth the Walk!
Children and Young People
Junior Church
Junior Church caters for children from ages 3 to 11 years at 10.00 a.m. every Sunday. On the first Sunday of each month, we all come together to the Parish Praise service. On the other Sundays we split into groups (see table) for teaching and activity.
If you would like your child to join one of the groups, please introduce him/her to the teachers on duty on Sunday or contact the appropriate leader (listed below) or contact the Parish Office.
|
Name of group |
Ages |
School year |
Leader |
Meeting in |
|
Scramblers |
3-4 |
Pre-school |
Jenny Klincke |
Tower Room |
|
Climbers |
5-6 |
Reception 2 |
Clare Tozer |
Lady Chapel |
|
Explorers |
7-11 |
3-6 |
Bill Macdonald |
Day Centre |
A-YU!
A-YU! is a club for St Michael’s youth aged 11-15. AYU stands for As-Yet Unnamed, though the name seems to have stuck! They meet for prayer and study on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 5.00 - 6.15 p.m. at Cowell House in the Apton Road. A-YU! have occasional special recreational and service-orientated outings as well. They also support area ecumenical youth events sponsored by SYNC (Stortford Youth Network Collective).
Older youth are encouraged to join youth clubs at other Bishop’s Stortford churches.
Contacts - Darryl and Lisa Jordan
Acting Up
Acting Up is St Michael’s drama group for teenagers. No skills or experience are required, just a willingness to have a go. We perform Biblically-based, humorous sketches, usually in Parish Praise services, to illustrate the point the leader of the service wants to make. We meet on Sundays during the school term, from 6.00 - 7.30 p.m. in the Apton Road Day Centre, to have some fun doing exercises to develop our acting skills and working on projects. Teenagers are welcome to come to one or more sessions to try it.
Contact - John Emmett
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 - Bob Britton
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 - Rob Klincke
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.
Tiny Tots
Tiny tots are welcome to bring their mothers, fathers and carers along every Wednesday at 10a.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 Creche
Under 3s. Meet In the kitchen at the back of the church. The crèche is supervised, but please feel free to remain with your child if you prefer. There is a speaker in the kitchen to allow you to hear the service
Office Address:
St. Michael’s Church
Windhill
Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2ND