Youth & Children

Our committment to Youth and Children is the first of three key areas of our vision.

We aim to:

• Encourage children and young people to grow into a personal relationship with Jesus.

• Enable them to grow in confidence and faith so they can share the Gospel with their friends.

• Equip and empower them to live a Christian life and to make their contribution to the life and mission of the Church.

• Have a Youth and Children’s work that actively includes youth and children from outside the church family.

Throughout the week...

Toddler groups
Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-12noon, in the Parish Centre, next to Emmanuel
For babies to pre-school. The Tuesday group contains a short and creative child-centred Christian message.

Youth Social
Alternate Sundays after the evening service, Lower Hall of Parish Centre
After the evening service it is fun to just chill out, meet other young people and make friends. This group is for those aged 14+.

Deeper
Thursday evenings 8-9.30pm, Youth Room in No 6
Deeper is a Bible study group for young adults aged 14+. It is designed for those who want to go deeper in their relationship with God. Meets weekly during term time.

Youth Club
Alternate Friday evening 7-9.30pm, Lower Hall of the Parish Centre
A purely social group for children and young people in Year 6 and above. This is a place to have fun, relax and unwind from the week. A range of activities from video games to table football are available. A great place to invite friends who don’t normally come to church on Sundays. Meets during term time.

Soul
Wednesdays 4.15-6pm in Emmanuel church
A worship time for children and young people of any age. Get closer to God through worship.

For more information on any of these activities email siangasson@stjamesandemmanuel.org

On Sundays...

St JAMES

Godly Play
Sundays 10.30am in the function room, Didsbury pub
Godly Play is a Montessori approach to children’s spiritual development. Each session begins with one of the stories or parables from the Bible, or one of the liturgical actions of the Church. These stories are told using beautiful and natural materials. The story is followed by a time of guided ‘wondering’ leading to a free response time using arts and crafts. The session finishes with fruit juice and a healthy snack.

Children engage with the story and respond at their own level and this enables the group to span a large age range – currently about 4-11.

Meets weekly throughout term time (including half-term holidays) except the 1st Sunday of the month, which is All Age worship in St James’.

More...

Crèche
Sundays 10.30am
A parent supervised crèche facility is always available at the back of church for parents with children under the age of about 4 years of age.

EMMANUEL

A diverse range of children and young people’s groups meet during the 10.30 service. These groups meet every week during term time, except for the 1st Sunday of the month, which is an all age service in church. On the 2nd Sunday of the month the children and young people leave their groups slightly earlier so that they can join the adults for Communion.

Creche
Sundays 10.30am at Emmanuel
The under 3s have a crèche facility in the Coffee Bar near the front entrance to church. This is supervised by helpers (although parents are welcome to stay), except for All Age Worship on the 1st Sunday. A range of toys and made are made available. This facility is often running during school holidays depending on volunteer availability.

Twoodles
Sundays 10.30am in the Upper Hall of the Parish Centre
A group for the younger member of the church, suitable for children aged from about 2 and a half to 4 years of age. Enables the youngest children to begin to grow in faith and to make friends.

Kids Church
Sundays 10.30am in the Lower Hall of the Parish Centre
For children from 5 to 11 years old. A great fun and supportive group designed to help primary aged children experience God through singing, crafts, friendship and teaching. Kids Church meets in the lower hall of the Parish Centre.

Pathfinders
Sundays 10:30am at No.6, next to Emmanuel
Pathfinders are young people aged 11-14. As children continue their journey into adolescence they have an even greater need for Christian input that speaks to their life situation, Pathfinders is designed for this very purpose. There are also social events by arrangement.

For more information on any of these activities email siangasson@stjamesandemmanuel.org

Also...

Didsbury C of E Primary School
The school is the responsibility of the parish of St James and Emmanuel. It is a one-form entry school for children from 5 to 11 years of age, with a separate nursery.

More...