Junior Church @ St James’ for children between the ages of 3 and 15 years, takes place in the small hall of the parish centre every Sunday at 10am, except the 2nd Sunday of the month, when we hold a Family Service at 11.30am. There are no sessions during the school Summer holidays or on the Sunday between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Sessions begin at 10am when the leader, helpers and children process into church with the Sunday School banner and one of the children lights the Sunday School candle on the nave altar before the children leave for the parish centre during the first hymn. Sunday School worship continues in the hall, generally following the lectionary Gospel readings used in church, but it is varied to include Old Testament stories or to reflect a special occasion such as Remembrance Sunday, Mothering Sunday, or Homelessness Sunday. Sessions vary, but usually contain the bible story with relevant craftwork and activities, such as games, music, singing or drama.
A collection is taken at each session and this is distributed to various charities, e.g. sending chicken, goats and beehives to families in Africa with World Vision UK, the Nassolo Children’s Ward of The Mengo Hospital in Uganda and WaterAid. The children discuss and help to choose the charities concerned.
The children return to church at the distribution of Communion to receive a blessing at the altar, often joined by their parents. The group then sits in the front pews so they can easily see what is happening and feel part of the church family. During the notices, the children are invited to ‘show and tell’ about their Junior Church session.
Leaders and helpers in Junior Church all have DBS clearance. There are one leader and two helpers at each session. To know more about the importance of safeguarding at St James’ Church, please follow this LINK.
The creche, for babies and children up to the age of three, is not currently organised separately from the Junior Church. If parents stay with little ones, they can all join in with the Junior Church session if they wish and it is hoped that this will also make the transition from crèche to Junior Church easier when children reach the age of three/four. We also provide a creche area in the parish centre with toys and games which parents can use. Alternatively, there is a dedicated space at the back of church for children of different ages with an activity table, should you wish to remain part of the Sunday Eucharist with your babies, toddlers or children.