Children’s Work

Grovewood Junior Church

Meet during the service, leaving after the second hymn and returning at the end of the service for the children to tell and show the congregation what they have been doing. It is an all-age session.

St. Michael’s Children

Children are welcome at our 11am service and CYPX (11-14yrs) meets on Sunday evenings at 6.30pm behind the Church in the 'Annex'.

DIARY DATES

August 2008

9th All Ages Summer School Event - 10.30am - 3.30pm Digital Photography at Holy Trinity

16th All Ages Summer School Event - 10.30am - 3.30pm Handicrafts at Holy Trinity

30th All Ages Summer School Event - Flower Arranging at Holy Trinity



CYFA meet regularly on Sunday evenings 7.45 pm (term-time). Please see their programme or details or contact Maggi Gale via parish office on (01268) 742151.

Would you like to be more involved with the Young Church?
We are looking for more leaders and helpers for our work with children and young people. If you think God might be calling you to this important, exciting and rewarding ministry then please speak to Cara or Mike through the parish office on (01268) 742151.

Activities for Children in the Parish of Rayleigh
Children form an important part of life in the parish of Rayleigh. There are many groups that meet across the parish and children are always very welcome in our services. During the year there are a number of services held which are aimed at the children of our parish. These include our nativity services, Christingle services, crib services and holiday club services. We also hold all age services at least once a month at parade services and at other significant times of the year. All age services are good fun and include varied child friendly items as well as more reflective adult sections. The musical worship aspects of the parish are very broad. We try to include songs and hymns to cover everyone’s preferences. As part of this, services on occasions when the Young Church is not meeting include a children’s slot in which the whole congregation joins with the children in singing their songs.

The Young Church is involved with a number of the local groups including: Rayleigh Churches Youth Fellowship and Network Youth.

There are many parts to the Young Church based at Holy Trinity. We take child safety seriously and carry out checks on our leaders and helpers.

The leader of the Young Church is Cara Parker.

For further information on any area of the Young Church please contact Cara through the parish office.

Holy Trinity is an active and exciting Young Church. We are always delighted to meet new children who want to become involved. Groups in the Church are as follows :

Cosmic (2 to 14 years)
Youth (11 to 18 years)
JAFFA (7 & 8 years)
Holiday Club (5 to 14 years)


Cosmic

This is the collective name for the children’s groups that meet on a Sunday morning between 9.45 and 10.45am. Children from 0 to 14 years are welcome to join with their age group. There are about 75 children who regularly attend Cosmic with an average of about 50 each week. Older teenagers who are part of the Young Church are involved in leadership of the younger groups.

Groups in Cosmic are :

Moonbeams Crèche
Twinkling Stars
Star Trekkers and Sky Walkers
Cosmic Crew


Moonbeams Crèche

Leaders: Karen McMeekin.
Children aged 0 to 3 years.
This is a staffed crèche that is held on the first Sunday of the month in the Yew Tree Room. Young children will continue to be welcome in services. The crèche facility is to give parents the flexibility if they wish to have a distraction free time of worship in church. We hope to be able to give this option more often as new people join the Young Church Team.

Twinkling Stars

Leader: Janet Carter.
Children aged 2.5 to 5 years.
This is a fun and lively group of preschool children that meet in the Cloister Hall. They learn more about God through simple stories, playing games, doing simple craft and singing songs. It is a delight to see the enjoyment and enthusiasm that these youngsters have.

Cosmic Star Trekkers

Leader: Chris Griffiths.
Infant School children aged 5 to 7 years (school years Reception to 2).

Cosmic Sky Walkers.

Leader: Mark Bailey.
Junior School children aged 7 to 10 years (school years 3 & 4).
The Star Trekkers and Sky Walkers both meet in the Church Hall. It is a friendly and excitable group. They learn about God through lectionary-based sessions that include age specific interpretations of the reading, games and craft activities. One of their favourite parts of the morning is the Cosmic Shouts that start and end the sessions. On the first Sunday of each month we have a simplified communion service as well as our usual story. We then join the congregation in church for a blessing at the altar rail. As part of our worship on the first and fourth Sundays of the month we have music and singing. All the Sunday morning Young Church groups join together for this. It can be very moving to hear such a large group of children praising God.

Cosmic Crew.

Leaders: Glenda Clark, Bob French.
Children aged 10 to 14 years (school years 5 to 9).
This is a sizable group of young people who meet in the Courtyard Room. They have great fun. The sessions are also based round the lectionary readings but with an older outlook. Cosmic Crew is affiliated to the Pathfinder organisation so that the youngsters can meet with other Christians across the country.

Youth

The youth groups meet on a Sunday evening. Young people aged 11 to 18 years are welcome to join with their age group.

CYPX and CYFA

CYPX

Leaders: Cara Parker.
Young people aged 11 to 14 years (senior school years 7 to 9).
This group meets on a Sunday evening in St. Michael’s Church kitchen area. It is a friendly and lively group who have a lot of fun. The CYPX program is varied, including bible studies, discussions, games, and trips.

CYFA.

Leaders: Maggi Gale & Sue Robinson.
Young people aged 14 to 18 years (senior school years 10 to 13).
This Young Church group meets on a Sunday evening at the parish centre. It is a friendly group who are very willing to give their time to helping the Young Church in more of a leadership role. The CYFA program is varied, including bible studies, discussions, participation in church services, games, and trips.

Jaffa Clubs.

Leader: George Gibbs.
Jaffa is short for Jesus A Friend For All. These clubs meet at local junior schools at lunchtime. They are usually for Year 3 or 4 children. During the half hour session the children hear a bible story and do related puzzles and craft activities.
Glebe School Jaffa.
Leader: Emily LiVigni.
Edward Francis Junior School Jaffa.
Leader: Lynn Lee.

Holiday Club.

Leader: Ali Tompkins.
The holiday club meets for one week during August at St. Michael’s church. It is an action packed fun week with music, drama, craft, games and stories. It is open to children from 5 to 14 years. All children are welcome, not just members of the Young Church. For further details and registration forms please contact the parish office.

Uniformed Organisations.

Brownies.
Leaders: Mrs. Julie Grant & Mrs. Paula Bower Girls 7 to 10 years

There are two Brownie packs based at Holy Trinity. They meet on a Thursday and Friday evenings in the church hall.

Guides.
Leader: Mrs. Glenda Clark Girls 10 to 16 years

The guide company meets on a Thursday evening in the church hall.

2nd Rayleigh Holy Trinity Scout Group

Beavers. Leader: Mrs Karen Vassallo Boys 6 to 7.5 years

The Beaver colony meets on a Monday in the church hall.

Cubs. Leader: Mrs Margaret Lloyd Boys 7.5 to 10.5 years

The Cub pack meets on a Wednesday evening in the church hall.

Scouts. Boys 10.5 to 14 years. The scout group meets on a Monday evening in the church hall.

5th Rayleigh (St. Michael's) Scout Group

Beavers (aged 6 to 8) meet on Wednesday evening in St. Michaels Church Hall in Pearsons Avenue by Sweyne Park School. Kyla Tosh is the Beaver Scout leader.

Cubs (aged 8 to 10.5) meet on Wednesday evening in St. Michaels Church Hall. Brian Tosh is the Assistant Cub Scout leader.

Scouts (aged 10.5 to 14) meet on Wednesday evening in St. Michaels Church Hall. Dave Birch is the Scout leader. Mark Pearson is the Group Scout leader at St. Michael's. See 5th Rayleigh Scout Group website.

5th Rayleigh are undertaking a major fundraising programme in order to restore the Scout Hut they have in Love Lane. Please see 5th Rayleigh for details.

Explorer Scouts.

This is a district group for boys 14 to 18 years

This group meets on Monday or Wednesday evenings at Belchamps Scout Centre.

Network.

This is a county scout group for young people aged 18 - 20 years.