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Children and young people

Our policy

We believe that the church is the Body of Christ, made up of people of all ages. We actively welcome children at our services when children have activities suitable for their ages and there is a ‘children’s address’.

We are also committed to new forms of engaging with children, as our involvement in Messy Church shows.

Sundays

Currently we do not have a Junior Church, though provision is always made for children who come. Appropriate relevant activities are available, and

Parents & Toddlers Group

We run a weekly Parents & Toddlers Group (Wednesdays 10.00-12.00) which provides structured activities for children and a chance for parents to chat and support one another.

For details email enquiries@DawlishURC

MESSY CHURCH

The youth leaders of the Methodist and URC Churches, concerned at low numbers in their Junion Churches, decided to cooperate to run a monthly after-school club on Fridays. Inspired by reports of the success of Messy Church in several local URC congregations, they decided to adopt the Messy Church format.

The first Messy Church was held in January with 35 children were present in the Methodist Church hall. Ever since the pattern has been the same: as the children arrive there are board games to enjoy. Then the group gathers together to hear about the theme for the day, which always involves the opportunity to try various crafts around the theme for about an hour. Then there is worship for 15 minutes before before everyone sits down to a delicious hot tea which usually includes chips, and is always followed by cake and fruit.

One of the features of Messy Church is the encouragement to parents to stay and become involved with the children, including sharing in the worship. An increasing number are now doing this.

The dates for Messy Church until the summer are: 20th June and 18th July, each starting zt 3.45 and ending at 6.00. For further details email Marie Whitehead on phone 01626 889 098.

The URC Youth Leader, Marie Whitehead, said "It's really exciting, with the children loving it and parents joining in. If numbers continue to grow we will need to divide into two groups."