Young people

Children and teenagers are welcome to worship at all services held at St Mary the Virgin, and St. Michael’s.

Sunday school meets on the first Sunday of every month and young people also take a part in the services. Those wishing to actively participate by reading, leading the prayers, and playing in the worship bands for Family services. Some also help with the collection and offertory, at communion services.

However, we do have special services and events for them to enjoy and help them learn about the Christian faith. Several young people attend the Greenbelt Festival earlier in the year, and in November our Youth team led a service in thanks for this.

A member of the congregation wrote this of the service:

"The experience was one of those that I know will be imprinted in my mind for a long time. The fact that this, talented, group of friends wanted to say thank you to us was a gift in itself but the range of their abilities, their empathy and compassion to others and, above all, their depth of thought was truly inspiring.

The band performed several songs with poignant lyrics that really made me reflect upon Christianity in the modern world and how it touches the lives of our young adults. Freddie spoke with such honesty and eloquence about his experience at the festival that I think we all were able to share, in part, what they had enjoyed, together. We saw some lovely dancing from Jess and Clara and were also treated to a short, amusing but thought provoking play which was a modern day translation of The Parable of The Good Samaritan. The band members played with great accomplishment. Freddie on percussion; Roland on trumpet; Jack on bass guitar(learned in three weeks!); David on drums; Keith on piano; Martin on electric and acoustic guitar and Jess, Lornie and Clara on vocals .

I think, however, the most thought provoking moment in the service was when Roland asked us to come forward and light candles to be placed on the map of Zimbabwe. During this time we were able to reflect quietly about their plight and read words of prayer on the screen. The fact that these young people had asked specifically for it to be a time of quiet reflection enabled us all to understand how deeply they had thought about that time in the service and allowed us to pray personally, whilst in a group. I have to admit, it was at this time that I had tears coursing my face as I prayed for all those who have need for so much. I also knew the tears were of thanks for the great gift that this special group of friends had given to us.

I would like to thank Helen, Martin and Carol for all the work that they put in to support the occasion. I feel honoured to have shared this experience, humbled by their depth of faith and I look forward to the next youth service."

Other services have been a Christingle and Toy service, an All Age Harvest Festival and a Walkabout service on Good Friday.