church service

[bawdy-nan]

My five year old, contrarian in a thoroughly atheist household, has expressed an interest in finding out about God and visiting a church. Can anyone suggest a local church service that might be suitable. (I'm thinking a little bit child friendly).

Whats the normal thing - do children get taken to church services? I have absolutely no idea about any of this but am keen for my daughter to follow her curiosity... any ideas?

[Alan Dale]

Don't worry I expect that your child is just keen to get into a decent secondary school.

[sphillips]

Hi - you and your daughter will be made welcome at St John's, Goose Green. Next Sunday (7th October) is Harvest Festival - family Mass starting at 10.30am.

Alternatively there is a Children's Mass on the first Sunday of each month at 11.30am (next one will be 4th November) which would be ideal for your 5 year old daughter.

To answer your question - yes, children must be accompanied to church and supervised throughout. St John's is child friendly - there is a creche; a Sunday school and a Family Quiet area at the back where children can sit and read with their parents/guardians. There are plenty of people available to help you and your daughter should you have any questions - look out for the Wardens' team and pastoral carers who wear red sashes. Lots of young families attend St John's; just turn up.

Stephen Phillips

Churchwarden, St John's, Goose Green.

[bawdy-nan]

Thanks so much for the information we'll try to make it soon.

Alan, you are a terrible cynic! We're very happy at Heber...

[Keef]

Another option might be The Coppleston Centre, they were always a strong family church. Also I believe St Clement's has a much younger congregation these days.

[Bellenden Jo]

Thanks for posting that Stephen, haven't been for a couple of weeks, and would have rolled up at 11.30 for family service and would have missed everything.

Jo

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Hi Bawdy-Nan

I can offer our church as an alternative but you would have to walk a bit further. It's All Saints Church on Blenheim Grove by Peckham Rye Station.

Our services start at 10.30 am, and everyone starts off in the church - we have a kids slot near the beginning (normally a silly song with manic actions) after which the children go the hall and are put in appropriate age groups where they have interactive learning with games, crafts and singing. Heaps of fun is had by all and all of our leaders and helpers are CRB checked.

Also on a Tuesday during term-time there is an afterschool club at 3.45 for a 4pm start until 5.15 pm in the hall (behind the church) for 5-11 year olds where there is cooking, crafts and story-telling, games, etc - so the children learn about God in a fun way.

Plenty of other activities happen during the year: we are having a holiday club this half term October 22 & 23 with a circus theme, 10.30 - 12.30 just turn up on the day to register your child or 'phone the office (7639 3052) to book a place. There will be a children's carol service on 9 December - we featured a donkey last year, not sure what wild and woolly animal is lined up for this year.

All activities at the church are free and do not feel obliged to put anything in the collection plate (Poindexter pls note!)

We are more than happy to have primary classes visit the church - we show them around and teach them all that's needed to cover the Southwark RE syllabus.

Hope this helps.

PGC

Edited spelling

[Goodliz]

There is supposed to be a good children's one at St Barnabas in the village. Not sure of times etc but I guess they would be able to tell you if you phone them.

I grew up catholic and that experience has put me off as I never go to church now! Recently I thought my son should know about Jesus so I got him a book from the bookshop on North Cross Road called 'My first Bible Book'. It is really nice. They also do nice bible story books.

Good luck - I hope you find a nice church - I imagine they are much more informal and child friendly these days.

[snorky]

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

[bawdy-nan]

I have to own up that I am a committed atheist and certainly not looking to convert - I'm just keen to foster my daughter's curiosity about the world and what's in it. I think she's partly fascinated by the whole God thing because of starting school and some of her friends going off to religious schools where they "learn about God".

Whether you're religious or not, an understanding of Christianity is no bad thing, especially as much of our cultural texts require an understanding of Christian stories. In much the same way a thorough working knowledge of Greek myths is pretty useful.

[SeanMacGabhann]

bawdy-nan

I empathise with your position - I would probably find myself in exactly the same dilemma. Where we differ I think is in asking for a child-friendly version. Christianity is what it is, book of Revelations fire-and-brimstone and all. If you show him just the white flowing robes version you risk the very thing you fear

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Beware of Geeks bearing gifts!

[Michael Palaeologus]

Perhaps the competing Churches could make pitches to win the work?

Power-point presentations of no more than 5 mins with a 10 minute Q&A after.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Wouldn't Speakers Corner be more fun - all ED could come and heckle and then have a picnic.

[Thequietone]

Being a cynic why not take her to an early morning session in a pub and tell her its a church.

Paul

[yeknomyeknom]

That reminds me, does anyone know where the nearest Catholic church is to Goose Green? Is there one nearby at all? I couldn't find one last time I looked.

[Thequietone]

http://www.stjamesthegreatpeckham.org.uk/pagesstjamesthegreatpeckham/1_1.html

Been there once to bury somebody, Quite pretty in a suburban setting.

As no longer a Catholic portions of the ritual like shaking hands/sign of peace, whatever were novel.

Paul

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Also one up Nunhead Lane near the station. I've been a few times for weddings/baptisms and they seem most friendly.

[Thequietone]

Coming from an Irish background one measure of a church is if there is a good pub nearby as you don't want to waste time before or after the service do you ?

Paul