J4U ( Jesus for You) 👨👩👦👦 😀
This is a very informal fun-filled family service. It involves songs, 🎶 musical instruments 🥁 for all, fun, stories, prayers 🙏 and a whole lot more. It is aimed at children and their families and is usually held on the 4th Sunday in the month at 11.15 am. Refreshments served from 11.00 am.
Our next J4U service is on Sunday 24th January
Past Events for Children and Families
Monday 27th October 4.00 – 6.00 pm Light Up the Church Event
Over 60 children, accompanied by parents and/or carers came to our ‘Light up the Church’ celebration.
The video below gives you a flavour of this very special celebration of the light, which was held at a time of year when the darkness is often celebrated.
The church was dimmed and full of light and colour, crafts, scripture and cake!
Bags of Hope with Christian reading material and goodies to take home we’re given out to all the children.
We give thanks for: the work of our children’s team; the lights; scripture and the meaningful conversations which the event prompted.
Sunday 31st August Back to School Service 📚✏️
We had a busy, informal service aimed at children and families marking the occasion of children going back to school and starting new classes in 2025. The service included a story, craft and lively praise and worship.
We were thinking about sharing God’s love.
Friday 22nd August 2025 🌳 Children’s Creation Celebration
To celebrate God’s beautiful creation, St Mary’s Church team of family workers arranged a wonderful event in Eastham Woods for children and families.
Local families booked slots through Eventbrite and children took part in activities, including: a scavenger hunt🔍, face painting, bark rubbing , leaf rubbing🍁☘️, making bird 🐦feeders and 🦔hedgehog craft.
For the last hour ‘A – Z Zoo’ presented a wonderful range of animals for children and families to see and enjoy. There were goodie bags to take home with Christian activities and crafts.
A jolly good time was had by all!
Children’s Area in St Mary’s Church
There is a children’s area at the back of church with books and toys for families to use with their children. Most Sundays, colouring and other craft activities are provided for children and young people who would like to use them.
There are bags at the back of church with toys, books, drinks and snacks. They have been prepared for children of different ages.
School Visits
We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome school children to visit our church. Children from Millfields C of E Primary School and Heygarth Primary School visited St Mary’s for Easter 2025.
They learned about the real story of Easter and learned that Freddie the Easter Bunny is not in the Bible!
The schools had also visited in June 2025. Below are some extracts from letters of thanks received from children in Y2 of Heygarth Primary School.
