St Michael and All Angels has a thriving Children’s ministry, providing age-appropriate guided worship from infancy through to teens and including special instruction towards Confirmation. Children can progress from the Creche and Little Angels Playgroup to the Children’s Church, Confirmation and Youth Church, and can also join The Choristers, our children’s choir which leads the singing during our Family Service. The group leaders are Caroline Scott, Miriam Morris and Lizzie Harris.

We include the children in our seasonal festivals such as Easter Sunday and Christmas Day Mass, and St Michael’s Day (our patronal festival in September) where the children dress up as St Michael and the angels and chase the dragon out of the church. See pictures in our Flickr album and below (click picture to zoom in).

But we also provide them with special services such as our Good Friday Passion and Christmas Eve Crib service, together with after school services on Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day.

Our children’s ministry is a vital part of the St Michael and All Angels community and our precious responsibility for the future. We make worship meaningful, fulfilling and fun.
See programme below for dates of all our upcoming activities. And see pictures of Young St Michaels in our services, including our Children’s Passion on Good Friday.

Young St Michael’s Autumn Term 2024

For further information, please contact Caroline Scott.

Family Services

A Family Service is usually held on the first Sunday of the month except in March (when it takes place on Mothering Sunday). The singing is led by The Choristers and the sermon is aimed at young people with the lessons and prayers are read by children. On these Sundays, there is no Children’s Church, although toys and a quiet space are available in the Parish Hall, with books for children at the back of the Church.

Crèche (0-4)

The Children’s Crèche is set up in the Gabriel Room in the Parish Hall for very young children. An art activity related to a Bible Story will have been prepared, and they will have a quiet time for prayers. Parents stay with the children and return into Church for a blessing. See pictures here.

Children’s Church (4-11)

‘Children’s Church’ sessions take place during Parish Mass on Sundays during school term time. (There are no sessions at Family Services when children are encouraged to stay and engage in the main service). The children process out of Church during the first hymn to the Parish Hall, where they hear the Gospel of the day and explore its meaning through discussion and craft activities. At the end of the session, the children return to Church to receive a blessing and make a presentation to the congregation.

During Lent 2024, Children’s Church have been making a ‘Bug Hotel’ in the church garden (right) and nurturing butterflies. See lots more photos in our Flickr album.

Youth Church (11-18)

Our SMAAA Youth Church aims to challenge and engage our older children. The group meet upstairs in the Michael Room at 9.30am on selected Sundays and are led by Julia from Best4learning who focuses on discussion and tools for mental and spiritual well-being.

The Choristers (7+)

The Choristers are the members of our children’s choir led by the director of music, Jonathan Dods, and Vicky Brooke.  They are trained along the lines of a cathedral choir, gaining an understanding of musicianship and worship in a fun and engaging way.  The Choristers lead the music at the Family Masses and often read the prayers and lesson during this service.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings during term time from 6pm to 7pm in the Church and at 9am on Sundays when they are singing. See our page for The Choristers.

Confirmation

Candidates are prepared for Confirmation through instruction on courses tailored for youngsters (usually aged between 11 and 15 years) or adults. See our Confirmation page.

Little Angels Playgroup (0-4)

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