Children & Family Work Update
I have been busy around our Brownhills & Willenhall Circuit and have been developing existing projects as well as introducing some new groups and ideas. I have started two new groups for under 7’s, and have been working with many boys’ and girls’ uniformed groups, toddler groups and teenage groups. I have several projects on the go and look forward to launching ‘Messy Church’ and an exciting community collaboration project during the next academic year at other churches.
At St John’s, I have worked with the Beavers towards their ‘Faith development’ badge and also led some creative prayer sessions with this group. I have regularly visited the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides throughout the year and have helped to work towards services, and especially their special Centenary Parade service.
I have been visiting baptismal families linked to St John’s and chatting about the church and its various groups as well as providing a listening ear and hopefully a friendly face. I have also been lucky enough to take a group of Circuit youth, six of whom are from St John’s, to ‘Breakout’ recently. This is a Methodist young people’s festival type event held at Cliff College, in Derbyshire. We enjoyed bands, comedy, outdoor sports, games at the media hub, and very enthusiastic and interactive worship.
I also enjoyed contributing to the Marriage Preparation Classes this year, and introduced a new section on helping to manage marital conflict. I have attended a parenting course held at Blakenall Sure Start Children’s Centre which enabled me to mix with the local community in a very relevant and practical way. I have also had several meetings with the Family Worker from Bloxwich All Saints Church and have been into Elmore Green School, the local Bible College and have had discussions about future ecumenical collaborations.
In the coming months I will be working with the young peoples’ groups again for the upcoming Harvest Festival and hope to share skills and build community links with Queen Mary’s High School for Girls.
Please feel free to contact me, or speak to me in person when I'm here at St Johns, if you have any questions or ideas about youth work going on here, or in the wider Circuit.
Vickie H-M