Children are very welcome and are an important part of our worshipping community. They have every right to be in church and participate in all worship in whatever way they are able to. We also know, however, that it is sometimes not easy as parents to occupy or engage children for a whole service. We have lots of resources available for children and families to access if and when they need to. We also have a couple of services a month that are particularly designed with children in mind.
St Mary’s Kidlington
We are working to redesign and refocus our church activities for children. If you would like to be part of that, please do contact one of the clergy. On the second Sunday of the month the morning Communion service is particularly planned to include children, especially our choristers.
St John’s Kidlington
We have a dedicated team of volunteers who run a fun and engaging Junior Church during the weekly services at St John’s and the monthly joint Parish services. Whilst small in number, our children currently range in age from 3 – 16 and can often be heard enthusiastically enjoying their time together during the services and continue to play together during coffee time. The children are an integral part of the congregation; returning back into the service for communion and to share their learning and creations with the ‘grown ups’ at the end. A Nativity performance is often the highlight of the year, birthdays and school achievements are celebrated and lovely intergenerational relationships are nurtured.
St Mary’s Hampton Poyle
There is a children’s area in the church with a selection of books and toys. Children are encouraged to take part in the service, often taking the collection or acting as welcomers.
Junior Church
Our All Together services, held on the first Sunday of each month at St John’s, have gained real momentum over the past couple of years with a growing number of regular attendees. The service is planned and run by a team of lay people, currently led by Revd Katie Tupling, with an emphasis on making the services accessible to all. Liturgy is stripped back, bible readings are often dramatised, reflections are short, activities varied and a mix of traditional hymns and modern worship songs are interspersed with quizzes and games! The idea of these services is whether you know a lot about Christianity or not much at all, everyone goes home with something to reflect on (and usually put on their mantelpiece or fridge!)
