Children's & Youth Ministry

At St. Stephen’s we believe that children should be seen AND heard!
Parents, you’ll never get “the look” from a member of staff regarding kids making noise because, well, they’re KIDS! However, during service, would you please ensure that your children are, to the best of your/their ability, respecting others as they engage with God…

• Once a month we have a Family Worship service when we’re all in church together.
• The next Sunday is Holy Communion, when the kids are out in their groups for most of the service.
• After that we have Morning Worship, when kids are in for about half the service and out for half.
• Finally we have Family Communion, where kids are in church for a bit, out for their own activities, and then back in for communion.

Kids are free to enjoy the space in church after the service is over, but we discourage running around the musical instruments and beyond the marble steps at the front. Parents, we need your help reinforcing this!

The Sunday Club starts part-way into the service and is announced from the front. If you are visiting, the Sunday Club leaders will show you where to go.

There is a creche area for pre-school children in the Vicar's office

Thursday, 7.30pm
99 Sheep (Youth group): An evening of fun and faith at the Vicarage for young people in school years 7-12. Contact the Parish Office for more information.

We take the health, safety, and well-being of children very seriously at St. Stephen’s!
- All leaders working with children and young people have met London Diocesan child safety criteria and have been through formal CRB checks;
- All children’s groups will be staffed by at least two people, one of whom will be an approved children’s worker;
- No person under the age of 18 shall be left in charge of children of any age;
- An attendance register will be kept of all children’s activities;
- At all other times, parents/carers are responsible for the safety and security of their children on the premises.

Questions?
Never hesitate to contact Gail or Jeremy with your questions, comments or concerns!

Exciting News! New Children's & Youth groups launch on Sunday 25th May!

Have you noticed how many babies, children and young people have been at St. Stephen’s in recent months? Isn’t it great to see and hear them enjoying God and each other on a Sunday morning?

In order to serve kids (and parents) better, we’re making some adjustments to our Sunday Clubs. See below for how we’ve adjusted the age range for each group.

In addition, we’re adding a mid-week meeting for kids in school years 5-8. Details will be announced soon!

LAUNCH DATE: 25 MAY 2008

The PURPOSE of Children’s and Youth Ministry at St. Stephen’s Westbourne Park is to help children and young people understand who God is, grow in their relationship with Him, and enjoy being a part of His family.

Our PRIORITES are: developing relationships with children, young people and their families; and providing high-quality programmes and activities that are Bible-based, fun, creative, relevant and age-appropriate.

New Groups from 25th May:

0 to Reception
Toddlers and little ones meet in the Vestry (the office off to the right at the front of church). A simple Bible story and age-appropriate activity will be prepared for them and led by parent volunteers on a rotating basis. Toys are always available for play. Nursing mothers and parents of ‘crawlers’ are welcome to enjoy this space as needed.

School Years 1-4
PEBBLES - this group is led by qualified volunteers on a rotating basis. Kids will enjoy Bible stories, crafts and other activities appropriate for this age group.

School Years 5-8
ROCKS - this group is led by qualified volunteers on a rotating basis. Kids will enjoy Bible stories, crafts and other activities appropriate for this age group.
PLUS a mid-week meeting - details coming soon!

School Years 9+
YOUTH GROUP - we are in need of volunteers to work with this group on Sunday mornings. Midweek Meeting: Thursdays, 7:30pm at the Vicarage.

New volunteers always welcome!

You DON’T need:
- prior experience

You DO need:
- a relationship with God
- a love for kids
- a willingness to serve
- a desire to learn!