Catherine Linsley leads our family, children & youth groups at St Mary’s. If you have any questions relating to the groups, click here to send Catherine an email.
We highly recommend that you join our mailing list which has the latest news on which groups are running each week as well as any special festivals with fun activities available to join.
Monday & Friday termtime 9.30-11am,
0-5yrs
Mums, dads, grand-parents, childminders, nannies and all carers are welcome to bring their under-fives to play with our great selection of toys. Each week we have a themed craft activity and the fun ends with the children singing nursery rhymes and playing musical instruments together. Meanwhile, the adults enjoy a chat, coffee, tea, biscuits and fruit. The donation is £3 per family per session. No booking necessary – just drop in.
Wednesday Termtime praise & PLAY
9.30-11am, 0-5yrs
Toddler Praise & Play is a short service of bible stories and action songs held in church at 9:15am on Wednesdays in school term time. It is followed by tea and toys in the Garden Hall. There are also regular outings for the children, recently to Deen City Farm, Morden Hall Park and the Isabella Plantation, and the occasional child-free evening in the pub too!
Sundays for Children
sunday school
St Mary's Sunday School registration takes place on Sunday between 9:15am and 9:25am in the foyer of the Garden Hall, except the first Sunday of the month when there is a special Children's Eucharist at the 11:15am family service.
Under the watchful eye of our Youth Leader, Catherine Linsley and Children's Wardens, along with the teachers and helpers, children, aged from three, have the opportunity to meet together, to share in their own worship, to sing, pray and join in with age appropriate activities in their own classes.
Children are divided into two age groups: 3-5 years and 5+ years. The children have a 10-15 minute act of worship in the Garden Hall, followed by activities appropriate to their ages.
It's a wonderful start to their own spiritual life and it's a special community in its own right. They re-join the adult congregation in the service for Holy Communion for a blessing and the final hymn. The Sunday School is taught entirely by volunteers and is a vital part of St Mary's ministry to children.
In addition to the usual Sunday activities, the Sunday School also has special events for children at the major church festivals, such as a Christmas Nativity performance and so contributes significantly to the worship of the whole congregation
sunday creche
During the 9.30am service in Fellowship House.
Young People
friday people 8-12 yrs
Friday People is the youth group at St Mary's for children aged 8- 12yrs and meets every other Friday evening during term time in Fellowship House 7-8:30pm.
rafters 13 yrs+
Rafters is the youth group at St Mary's for teenagers aged 13+. We normally meet every Sunday evening during term time, from 7:30-9pm in Garden Hall.
On Sunday evenings we have a good balance between having fun and exploring our Christian faith through discussion. We also enjoy many social events throughout the year and many of our members are greatly involved in life at St Mary's.