Children and Families 

Well, the summer term has started and although the sun hasn’t been shining too much lately, we’re aware that change is coming to many families. Toddler children will be moving to preschool, or nursery and other children will be looking towards a new class or school as July comes to an end. We continue to pray that the seeds we planted and watered, God will grow.

Families outreach
Our ‘drop in family morning’ worked well alongside the plant sale. We used the sanctuary for lots of crafts, conversation and play and a good number of new families enjoyed the session. I’m hoping to plan three more of these mornings during September, October and November, so it becomes a more regular event leading up to Christmas.

Adventure Tots has been based around the ‘Mustard Seed’ parable and we have created activities around seeds and growth during the summer term. We have also connected with the ‘London network of toddler groups’, praying for each borough and meeting online to share and pray. Our team works incredibly hard to welcome, set out activities and encourage our visitors. This is such an important place to connect with parents, grandparents and carers; we are planting seeds, and we pray that this will have an impact.

To all those who prayed and supported this outreach:
Thank you for all the seeds of love, hope, kindness and joy that you sow into the lives of children and their parents/carers and in our Adventure Tots and families who attend SBC. What you do really matters!

Our two ‘Refresh’ mornings have been offered to bring something more for adults alongside some toys for children to enjoy. The aim has been to refresh with a coffee, conversation and a gentle reflection based around a testimony and Bible verse. Our first session was centered around Jeremiah 31:25: God says, ‘I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.’ The families who attended gave some positive feedback and I’m hoping this will continue for our second meet up.

Sunday club A good number of us gathered in the upstairs hall, after the service to enjoy some fellowship together. We sat down to a variety of healthy hot food but did indulge in some ice cream (or fruit!) for pudding. Ruth Clery entertained us with a family ‘Bible knowledge game’ and the children really enjoyed the opportunity to decorate some gingerbread biscuits. We finished with a family worship song and do hope we can meet up again and more families will be able to attend.

As I mentioned above, Summer is coming, and we will be giving our Sunday club leaders a break. So, for August 4, 11, 18, 25 I would really appreciate some help. This will be to help me, or lead one Sunday with a game, Bible story and craft. Please contact me asap if you would be able to spend a Sunday supporting our children’s work.

Please save the date too for our Christmas pantomime when a theatre company will be performing Jack and the Beanstalk at SBC on 15 December at 4.30pm. Join Jack as he adventures through this exciting retelling of a classic fairytale, which reminds us about where true strength is found to overcome our fears. Further details on ticketing, and other arrangements, will be confirmed in the autumn.

God bless Hilary West