Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19 v 14
What is the team for?
The children are extremely valued and loved members of our church family and each Sunday we have a dedicated children’s work running alongside the Sunday morning meeting. After spending some time worshipping with the whole church family, children aged 3 to Year 6 are invited to attend ‘Splash’ in one of the side rooms.
Each Splash session is based around a bible story or a biblical topic and range of activities are provided for the children. During each session there is time set aside for:
- Developing relationships though play, games and conversation
- Worshiping God through singing, dancing and playing instruments
- Learning about what the Bible has to say and who Jesus is through story times, drama and craft activities
- Talking to God in prayer and exploring different ways of praying
- …and lots and lots of fun!
The Children’s Work Team is responsible for the planning and running of each session and making sure that every child and family is included, supported and loved. We work in partnership with parents and carers and spend time building relationships with the whole family.
What will my role be on the team?
There are two roles within the children’s work team. Session Leaders are responsible for:
- Planning fun and engaging sessions to disciple children in their relationship with God, using the session material provided.
- Leading each session by managing the different activities, setting clear expectations to session assistants, promoting good behaviour using positive strategies, engaging with all the children and meeting their individual needs.
- Keeping a register of children who attended and providing a quick summary of how the session went.
- Liaising with parents and carers about their children and developing relationships with families in the church.
- Welcoming new families each Sunday and inviting the children to attend Splash.
- Attending regular leader meetings and training.
- Reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- Praying regularly for the children who are attending Splash and their families.
Session Assistants are responsible for:
- Being available before, during and after the meeting to assist the session leader.
- Supporting the leader with setting up, packing away, serving refreshments, washing up cups and plates, and cleaning the room at the end of the session.
- Taking small groups for craft activities or play sessions under the direction of the leader.
- Attending some of the regular meetings and training.
- Developing relationships with families in the church.
- Reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- Praying regularly for the children who are attending Splash and their families.
- You may also be asked to lead some parts of the session or small groups within the session, but this will be arranged with you on an individual basis.
What do I need to consider when joining the team?
We are growing a team of Children’s Workers who have a heart for children and young people and are passionate about introducing them to Jesus. We love to have fun, be a little bit silly, dance a bit wildly and create enjoyable church experiences for our children.
Each team member will be on the rota for approximately 1 in 3/4 Sundays and will be expected to attended reliably. It is important that we have the required number of children’s workers each Sunday for the sessions to run. If you are unable to attend when you have been allocated on the rota, then you will need to liaise with Rachel to arrange a swap.
If you are leading the session, you will be sent the session materials and will be required to prepare your session during the week before, including making, printing or arranging the purchase of any resources.
Each children’s worker will have a DBS carried out which will be arranged by our Designated Safeguarding Officer and they will be asked to attend regular safeguarding training sessions.
Full training will be provided upon starting the role as well as on-going training and reading.
If you are interested in joining the team, please email Ben Martin or Rachel Colebrooke.