Welcoming families

Have you brought your family to church?

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We welcome every member of your family and hope that coming here makes you all feel part of the bigger family of God’s church.

Going to church with a family shouldn’t be an ordeal!

If you come along with children we’d like to say a very big welcome and congratulate you on managing to get here!

Children are just as important as all the other members of our church and we hope we always show this. Our Junior Church co-ordinator is Julia Eisen – you can contact her about what we do at St Andrew’s with families and children in mind. Here are some of the things we have for you:

Family service: On the first Sunday of every month we have a Family Service at 10 am. It lasts about 40 minutes, and aims to involve children of all ages, as well as adults.

All-age communion: On the third Sunday of every month at 10 am we have a Communion service with a sermon that involves the children. 

Cafe Church: Once a month, usually on the 2nd Sunday of the month (dates confirmed in our bi-monthly newsletter, the Chesterton Chimes), we have Cafe Church for families and children – a short service around tables of songs, a story, prayers, and time to wonder, create and chat together. This is held in St Andrew’s Hall at 10am (whilst Sung Eucharist happens in the main church building). We aim to finish Cafe Church in time to give you chance to join the service in church for Communion.

Junior Church: Once a month, usually on the 4th Sunday of the month (dates confirmed in our bi-monthly newsletter, the Chesterton Chimes), Junior Church meets in St Andrew’s Hall during the 10am Parish Communion service. After time all together, we divide into age-appropriate groups suitable for children aged 0-18 – new faces are always welcome!

Church Mice: Before March 2020, Church Mice – our group for babies, pre-school children and parents – met once a week on a Thursday. Unfortunately out of concerns for safety and hygiene, Church Mice is not currently meeting, though this decision is regularly reviewed. 

Letting children play during the service

Children are especially welcome at our 10am services and at Family Services we provide colouring crayons, pens and pictures for you to enjoy in your pews. We have a children’s area in the north aisle, with books and toys for smaller children – and colouring provided for older children to take to their pews. You are of course welcome to bring your own toys (and don’t worry if your child enjoys playing with them and makes a bit of noise). 

Please don’t feel you should take your baby out of church if she or he gets hungry. Nobody will mind (or notice) if you feed them during the service.

All our children’s workers have been cleared to work with children in line with the Diocese of Ely’s recommended practice. See our Safeguarding information here.