Children & Young People
We have the following groups for children and young people:
Junior Church
Junior Church sessions take place as follows:
St John the Divine: There is Junior Church at the 11.00am service most weeks for children aged 3+ and toys, books, paper/crayons, etc. available every week. We take a break on Christmas and Easter Day and during the summer holidays.
St Mary Magdalene: Junior Church meets during the 9.30am Sunday service, (during state school term time) and takes children aged 3+. For younger children there is a Creche room available, for you to use with your child. Here you can play and still hear the service.
St Matthias: Junior Church is held twice a month at the 9.30am service (except on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Harvest, Mothering Sunday and the Summer Holidays) for those aged 3+. For younger children there are toys available at the back of church, during the service.
All churches have a space or room with toys suitable for babies and toddlers, and we welcome families to all our services!
If you would like further information please just turn up to one of our services and chat to one of the welcomers or any of the parents, or contact the Parish Office.
Mary’s Little Lambs
Mary’s Little Lambs is a toddler group with a mini, age-appropriate service, for babies, children and their adults. There is time for play, conversation, snacks and a little Church Service suitable for ‘tinies’. All welcome!
AT: St Mary Magdalene, Paradise Road TW9 1SN
ON: Thursdays 2.00 – 3.30pm
We meet all year round except for a break at Christmas, Easter and the Summer holidays.
Mary’s Little Lambs is suspended pending the appointment of a new Children’s Worker
Eaglets
Eaglets is a toddler group for babies, children and their adults. It is a space for play & conversation for babies, children & their adults (with snacks & songs). All welcome!
AT: St John the Divine, Kew Road TW9 2NA
ON: Tuesdays, 2.00 – 4.00pm
We meet all year round except for a break at Christmas, Easter and the Summer holidays.
Eaglets is suspended pending the appointment of a new Children’s Worker
SevenUp (for 7 years upwards!)
A group for those aged 7 years+. Games, refreshments, activities & prayer, all with a Christian theme. Please contact the Parish Office for more information and to advise if you will be attending. (Completed ‘Emergency Contact Details & Permission Form’ required for each young person, for their first session. These forms are available from the Parish Office.)
AT: Vicarage Basement, Ormond Road TW10 6TH
ON: SECOND Saturday of the month, 4.00 – 5.30pm
SevenUp is suspended pending the appointment of a new Children’s Worker
PoDs (Pockets of Disciples)
A group for secondary school age youth to chat, have a drink & play some games. An informal space to talk life, faith and everything in between.
AT: Cafe in town, contact Parish Office for specific venue
ON: THIRD Sunday of the month, 12.45 – 1.45pm
(Completed ‘Emergency Contact Details Form’ required for each young person, for their first session. These forms are available from the Parish Office.)
PoDs is suspended pending the appointment of a new Children’s Worker
Junior Choir
An opportunity to sing as part of a junior choir with our experienced and energetic Director of Music. This will supplement your child’s musical education, develop team work skills and is a great way to be part of this vibrant community. For those aged 8 years +
AT: St Mary Magdalene, Paradise Road TW9 1SN
ON: Thursday evenings, 6.45 – 7.50pm, weekly during term time
Commitment: Two Sunday services a month (one at 9.30am, the other at 6.30pm) and weekly rehearsals, all during term time. Outside of term time, for festivals, the junior choir is invited to attend and there will be a sign up sheet for those interested. Special events will require additional rehearsals.
For more information please contact our Director of Music.
Other
Christian Initiation:
Baptism/ Christenings – Please see our baptisms page
First Communion Preparation – We are very happy to admit children (generally aged 7+) to Holy Communion following a preparation course of six sessions. Our next ‘Admission to First Communion’ has been postponed – contact the Parish Office to find out more . For more information contact one of the clergy.
Confirmation – Contact a member of the clergy if you would like to know more, or are interested in being Confirmed into the Christian Faith.
Schools
We have members of our team who are able to do assemblies at local schools and receive class visits to our church buildings. If you would like us to do so, please contact us to make arrangements.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteering
Each Term we take on a maximum of two volunteers to help with our Junior Churches. This is subject to an initial meeting to discuss Health and Safety, expectations (of both the Student and ourselves. This meeting is always with a Parent / Guardian). If you would like to know more please contact the Parish Office.
Safeguarding
The Richmond Team Ministry takes its responsibility to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously. If you have any safeguarding concerns or would like to know more about our safeguarding procedures you can find the contact details of the relevant people here.
All volunteers are carefully recruited and will have a DBS check where required. Safeguarding training is offered regularly and we adhere to the guidelines of the Southwark Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and Procedures ‘A Safe Church’ which you can find here.
