Toddler Church at St Matthew’s

 

Is your child between 18 months and 4 years of age?  If so, they may already have taken part in Toddler Church, which runs most Sundays during the 09.30 Mass (apart from during the Mass for All Ages).  If your child has not experienced Toddler Church before please read further to find out more!

 

St Matthew’s Toddler Church was set up by Marcia and Shelli in October 2006 and was successful from the start with about nine eager little ones ready to have a worship space to call their ‘own’!  

 

Toddler Church runs September to July and parents and carers bring their children to the Church Hall before Mass starts at 9:30am.  It begins with registration, a welcome and a prayer. There is a short lesson, craft time and bible songs. We follow a curriculum which introduces some basic concepts that 2-4 year olds can understand – e.g. ‘God made my family’, ‘God is always with me’ and ‘God Loves Me’ as well as introducing the main Christian festivals. The children really enjoy creating and showing off their puppets, banners and posters to their carers at the end of each session.  We try to provide enough time for the children to have reflection and prayer before joining the rest of the congregation for the blessing. Carers are always welcome to stay and experience Toddler Church with their children but you also have the opportunity to return to Mass and collect your children in the hall at the beginning of Communion if your child is 2+ years of age. 

 

Although our lessons are separate from those of Junior Church we do join forces to produce the spectacle that is the Nativity performance.  The little ones really loved dressing up in their ‘Angel’, ‘Sheep’ and ‘Star’ costumes last Christmas.  Once a child reaches around 4 years of age we leave it up to him or her to decide whether they’re ready to join the older children in Junior Church.  If they are more comfortable staying within the Toddler Church group then they are welcome to stay as long as they want to.

 

Toddler Church is run by Marcia, Shelli, Andrea, Lisa, Helen, Justine and Lucy.  All leaders have CRB disclosures and experience with the under 5’s. It is the dedication and commitment of these parents that makes Toddler Church so successful up to date. We are so thankful to everyone who volunteers time to Toddler Church and we are always looking for more volunteers.

 

If you are interested in helping one Sunday a month or donating supplies for craft time (coloured paper, cardboard tubes, stickers, glue sticks, A4 paper, wool, etc) please get in touch with Shelli or Lisa : Shelliweaver@gmail.com or Lisa_M_Holmes@yahoo.com.

 

If your child is already a member of Toddler Church we hope they have enjoyed it and we look forward to welcoming them along with any new members soon!                                                                            Shelli and Lisa