Luke
18:15-17
…….But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children
come to me,
and do not hinder them, for
the
…….But as for me and my household, we
will serve the LORD.
This page is intended
to be for parents and those who help with the various activities. If you do not fall in these categories I
suggest you look at the “Children
and Young People” page (which will be a lot more fun).
Children & Young Families’ Worker Nicky Cooke
Youth
Worker Jon
Noble
Youth & Childrens’ Management Team John Thompson (Chairman), Liz Lister,
Pene Jelley, Susan Millard, + Vicar
Parish Child Protection Representative Mary Thompson
Click here for:- Who’s Who in the Youth Team
Parish Child Protection Policy and Procedure
The foundation
for the children’s work can be found Mark
10:13-15 where Jesus says ‘Let the children come to me’.
We aim to bring the children to Jesus, so that they may experience and
share His love
The churches reach a large number of children and young people from within the parish and the neighbouring villages. This work is one of the most exciting, vibrant and growing areas of ministry, with the congregations supporting two paid workers. There are some 72 children and ?? young people on the registers.
The Youth and Children’s Management Team (YCMT) seek to advise and support in matters relating to our children and young people; please let thm have your ideas and suggestions and above all continue to support the work with your prayers.
Our first paid
Youth Worker was Pete
Maidment who was followed by Brandon Weir, and in 2006 we have been very
fortunate to appoint Jon Noble. He
completed DNA with a placement at St.
Saviour’s Church,
The church also employs an experienced Children & Young Families’ Worker Nicky Cooke. Her role includes overseeing the various children’s groups, supporting and training leaders, planning the theme of the monthly Family Services and visiting families of all the children attending the various activities and those having children baptised.
Pene Jelley is our Youth Administrator, acting as an important point of contact about our youth work.
Mimi Pachuau from the Careforce Organisation joined the parish in September 2007 for one year to assist in a number of areas of the church’s life and ministry, including Youth and Children’s Work. From September Becky Ntamba from Uganda will be taking over.
We are always looking for new helpers. Maybe you are being called to join us in service to children. We urge you to be open to what God may want you to do in your life and we pray that you will experience a real joy and blessing.
A CRB check is carried out on all those involved in this work.
The following groups meet regularly each week, led by the youth worker (Jon Noble):-
Go to Wonersh Youth page for details of the programme for each group.
|
Name of Group |
Age |
Time of Meeting |
Where Held |
Average Attendance |
Co-ordinator(s) As at April
2007 |
|
14 - 18 |
Sundays @ |
Kinsella |
20 |
Jon Noble, Richard Allan, Craig Taylor, Mimi Pachuau, Anne Heine-Carmichael |
|
|
11 – 14 |
Sundays |
Wonersh URC Youth Room |
10 |
||
|
Friday Pathfinders |
11 –14 |
Fridays @ 8 to 9.30pm |
Lawnsmead |
13 |
U-†urn meets on Sunday evenings. Most weeks we have Bible study and other weeks we look at a “Big Question” relevant to the lives of young Christians where the members are invited to bring friends. Each term there are Saturday socials and join Cranleigh Baptist Church for their “Couch” youth service. U-†urn are also leading a Sunday evening service once a month in non-exam time with a band to provide music and access to ministry team members. Jon Noble co-ordinates input. They are also encouraged to attend church as often as they can. See also the U-†urn Group in Facebook administered by Rachel Scott-Thompson.
It is planned for U-†urn to undertake a two week trip to Tanzania with CMS 25th July-8th Aug 2009, to experience another culture and to learn from the lives of Christians there. This is being organised by John Thompson and the YCMT, Diane Henshaw and OMST. The estimated cost of some £1300 will be raised by individuals with support of the Ewart Trust.
Pathfinders meet on Friday evening and Sunday morning. The two groups have very different flavours and little overlap of members. Friday nights are an exciting opportunity to work with young people from largely unchurched families. Relationships with the young people are a vital part of this outreach and an evangelistic course called “Quest” was also run after Christmas (2006). Sunday Pathfinders is focussed more on spiritual development of young people from the church families.
Children’s groups are overseen by Nicky Cooke and are run by volunteer leaders and helpers.
During term time, children’s groups meet on Sunday mornings in various locations in Wonersh, except on the 2nd Sunday of the month when an All Age Services are held at both Wonersh and Blackheath. Children are encouraged to bring their families along, so the service is designed to be appropriate for those who may be unfamiliar with Christian worship.
Children in each group learn bible Stories, games, activities, craft, songs etc, presented in a fun way appropriate for their age group.
Go to Wonersh Children page for details of the programme for each group.
|
Name of Group |
Age |
Where & When Held |
Children on Register |
Co-ordinator(s) At April
2007 |
Helpers |
|
7 – 11 |
Wonersh Memorial Hall 9.55 to 11.30 |
35 |
|
||
|
4 – 7 |
Lawnsmead 9.55 to 11.30 |
40 |
Nicky Cooke |
Catherine Thompson, Susannah Alfold, Moira Hassall, Lizzie Wallis, Jamie Hutley, Emily Down. |
|
|
3 – 4 |
Vicarage From 10am |
8 |
|
||
|
7 – 11 |
Lawnsmead Fridays @ 6.30pm |
10 |
Jon Noble |
Mum’s rota |
KFC and Light Factory have supported two children through
Tearfund since 1994. Click here to find
out about Abel ands Tigist.
.
Meets in the Selwyn room within
The parent and toddler
group meets Wednesdays 1.30 -2.45 in Lawnsmead during term time. It is for babies, toddlers and pre
school children to play, listen to stories and sing songs with their parents
and carers and is an opportunity for parents/carers to chat and support each
other and is perhaps best described as an open door between the church and the
community. Special events take place
from time to time . Further details from Chris Evans.
On the second Sunday of each month there is a Family Service at 10am for all ages, and, in addition, during half terms and holidays all age services are arranged.
Both the Bishop of Guildford and the Bishop of Dorking have conducted Services of Confirmation at Wonersh, most recently in September 2005, when nine young people and four adults were confirmed following preparation by the Vicar and the youth worker.
Members of the young people’s groups regularly take part in the summer CYFA holidays at Porthpean and in Soul Survivor Camp .
Light Party
A Light Party was arranged by Jon & Nicky in October as an alternative to Halloween.
Each year we
hold an event for children ( 5 to 11 years), usually arranged during Spring or
Summer half term. In past years we have
used Holiday
Club by Scripture Union. In 2007 it
was on the theme of “The Big Top” and was put on with the help
of John Hardwick & Friends. The children learned about amazing heroes of
the Bible like strong man Samson, and escape artist Jonah in 2½ hour morning
sessions in Lawnsmead Hall. It has
become the highlight of the year, attracting 47 children this year. It provides a few days of friendship, games,
craft, stories, teaching and worship, based on a biblical theme, and it
culminates at a family service so that parents can sample the fun and discover
what their children have been doing.
Holiday Club is planned for August 27th to 31st
August 2008.
“Big Wow” is at Wonersh &
Shamley Green Infants School on Tuesdays 3-3.30pm. It is run by
All the children’s work is underpinned with prayer. We also have a prayer partnership scheme whereby adults in the congregation commit to pray regularly for 1 or 2 particular children. Please contact Nicky if you wish to take part in this.
Homegroups have each “adopted a Children’s or Youth Group and pray for them regularly.
Once again we give thanks to God for His provision of
resources, inspiration, leaders and helpers, and we trust that more leaders
will come forward in the near future, especially for KFC.
Soul Food
Soul Food was a regular evening of fellowship, worship, testimony and meditation designed for all those involved with youth work, and other activities, which mean that they are elsewhere (with the various groups) when we are having our Services. It is not meeting at this time.
Gap Years
A number of our young (and not so young) take time away to broaden their life experiences and explore their Christian faith If you are looking at this course of action then you may want to check out the Christian Breaks & Gap Year page.