Alex Podd reporting back after the recent weekend away… Early in February ‘Authentic’ (school years 10-13) went on their annual weekend away, this year entitled ‘Gamechangers’. Our superhero themed weekend included wide games, bush craft, worship, prayer and teaching. 34 young people attended, which was a fantastic opportunity for our newer cell group leaders (myself …
Read more →

  I do love a good conference.  Or training day.  Or general gathering…  In fact any opportunity to get together with peers and explore the issues of the day.  So, it was a pleasure to attend the Birmingham Diocese ‘Growing with God’ conference with a couple of the children’s ministry team last Saturday.  This is …
Read more →

St John’s Toddlers had fun last week making Valentine’s Day cards to give to people they love. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came for the homeless and the hopeless, those physically, relationally or emotionally tired or lonely – and those just at their wits end with the demands of looking after their under-fives! …
Read more →

As we face the New Year, and all its uncertainties, I have been learning to ‘pitch my tent in the land of hope.’ King David said: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out. I have pitched my tent in …
Read more →

On Saturday 3rd September 17 young people and 10 leaders gathered at church to take part in Authentic Action. In the run up we worked closely with Catriona Foster to find projects and connect with older people in church and our community who we could serve. On the day we met in the morning to …
Read more →

We all have our questions; science and philosophy exist because of our search for answers; we are always asking ‘how’ and ‘why’. Wherever Jesus went, he was asked questions, by his disciples, by the crowds, by his opponents. In the gospels people enquired, investigated, and scrutinised. Jesus answered with the authority of a prophet, the …
Read more →

A new year, a new team…   ‘Church…Mission’ July 5th 2015 Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Our witness to the good news is a key …
Read more →

Introducing Canvas… ‘Canvas’ is our monthly all age service held at 9.15am on the first Sunday of each month. You may be wondering what the name ‘Canvas’ is all about – is it a painting workshop, or will we be camping?! Well, the answer is both – in a way! As we’ve spent time thinking …
Read more →

Ok so they aren’t bargains so much, but I would recommend them and therefore am suggesting they are good value for your money! What books, resources or ideas would you recommend for children, families and faith? Best Bible ever! The Jesus Storybook Bible – My favourite book of Bible stories, beautifully illustrated but brilliant in …
Read more →

The post I’m reproducing below has been around a while, republished on sites like Huffington Post and shared regularly on Facebook and Twitter, originally posted here. I share it because it beautifully says why we embrace the noise and the messiness of church with our children. Being a church of all generations is part of …
Read more →