All Are Welcome

St Mary's offers a very warm welcome to families with children of all ages. We take children seriously as enquiring Christians and aim to support parents and carers in nurturing their children's faith. If you bring children to worship, no-one will 'shush' your children and our congregation is used to children being children – and not small adults! – so if they make some noise, it's fine. There is also a safe reserved space with toys in the vestry at the back of the church for any child who might need to let off some steam. Adults can see and hear the service here too.

Our programme of Christian Education for children on a Sunday is based around a method of learning through play and exploration. Godly Play is a story-telling approach to sharing and understanding the Christian Faith. Children gather in a sacred space, and in quietness and open questions, explore a bible theme or story. This is followed by their own time to express their own response to what they have heard through various methods of play and activity. Godly Play takes place during the 11am service, begin with children together with adults in the main worship space. After a short talk from one of the clergy or a prayer, the children go to the Godly Play space in the Crypt, and return in time to receive a blessing at Holy Communion, or the Sacrament if they have been admitted to Holy Communion.