by Pete Wildman | May 19, 2017 | Circuit News
Back in 2011 Toasty Ted – aided and abetted by Rev Marcus Torchon, Deacon Ruth Lackenby and Emma Sofayo – started Toasty Church: monthly worship for children aged 7 and under (and their slightly older siblings), and their parents or other carers. Worship was held on the first Saturday of each month and was based on a ‘Messy Church’ model.
The good news is that it’s still going strong over five years on, with anything from 12 to 38 people (children and adults) worshipping together every month (and eating vast quantities of TOAST).
We have been asked if it’s really worship – after all, it happens on a Saturday, and it involves fun, and running around, and chatting, and eating TOAST, and we don’t sing hymns. Our answer is yes: this is worship. We gather in God’s presence; every family joins in a prayer as they arrive; everyone is engaged in fun learning activities – crafts, games, puzzles and more reflective activities, all suited to the age of the children – finding out about Bible stories, about Jesus, about Christian festivals, and about our relationship with God and with other people.
Before we get to the TOAST we spend a quieter time together: hearing a story, sharing our experiences and our concerns, and bringing these to God in prayer. Marcus, Ruth and Emma have moved on, but Toasty Ted (and now his helper Tilly Ted), aided and abetted by a team of leaders and helpers, still welcomes us all – children, parents, foster carers, grandparents and occasional adult visitors, to come to worship and learn together.
Since Toasty started, over 70 children have come to church on a Saturday morning. Some are visitors who only come once or twice: some have come every month for several years (we’ve had regulars up to 10 years old). Some even started coming before they were born! All are made welcome, and we believe that all are blessed and bless others by their presence.
Toasty Church meets at Bromborough Methodist Church from 10.30 to 11.45am on the first Saturday of each month (except August). If you want more information, please contact Veronica (0151-328-1761) or Andrew (0151-334-0057).
by Pete Wildman | May 19, 2017 | Circuit News
Bromborough Methodist Church is working with children from Reaburn, Mendell and Woodslee Primary Schools. This is a summary of the work January to December 2016.
We offered the Hope Journey Epiphany event to all 3 schools. 124 Year 1 children and more than 21 adults witnessed a very exciting presentation of the visit of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. 12 church members and friends worked with the Hope Journey team. Drinks and biscuits were provided for the children and all the children left with a card Wise Man to lead them back to school and safely home. Each group (9 groups) took home their map of their journey with stars of their gifts for Jesus written or drawn on them.
During Lent the church offers Journey to the Cross and Beyond for Year 5 pupils. The 153 children and 18 school adults met Mary and the Roman Soldier. They also experienced Palm Sunday and being at the Last Supper. Other workshops were “The Coventry Cross” and “Live Life, Love Lent”. After drinks and biscuits, they did a craft, making a paper cross. Prayers and the giving out of Palm crosses and Easter Cards finished the session. As at Christmas, helpers had lunch together. There were 24 church members and friends helping.
In the summer term we offered Journeying with Old Testament Characters (Year 4 children), which was originally requested by the schools to support their curriculum. After discussing “journeys” they go to meet Moses, Joseph, Noah and Esther and come to realise that God is the driver in all their lives. Two schools could attend which meant 60 children and 8 adults came with 12 church members and friends to provide and support the workshops.
The Good Samaritan (Hope Journey Parables) is offered in each of the schools to F2 children (Foundation Second Year) during the summer term. Because of the age of the children we visit the schools, working with 130 children and their staff. 21 adults provided the workshops including some of the Hope Journey team. The presentation involves telling the story supported by a power point, puppet theatre and role play punctuated by three different craft activities.
During Advent we offer Journey to Bethlehem to Y2 pupils. The children have the opportunity to meet Mary (with baby Jesus), Joseph, the Angel Gabriel, a wise man, a shepherd and the inn keeper. Each session involves a ten minute slot of talking through their part in the story of Christmas and then questions are invited from the children. We then offer a craft activity; this year it was an easy-to-assemble Christmas card of the nativity story. Drinks and a biscuit were followed by a retelling of the Christmas Story. Finally each of the characters they met light “their” Advent candle and we have a time of prayer. The children are also given an invitation to the Christmas services, particularly the Crib Service, and the adults were given a church Christmas card. In all 155 children attended the three half day events along with about 15 school adults. A total of 23 church members and friends worked together at church to produce a highly successful day. Lunch was provided for all helpers, raising money for Action for Children.
Further good news!
During 2016 we were also invited to provide a monthly Whole School Assembly at one of the schools, which has been done.
For further information contact Dave or Anne Williams (dave.annewilliams@btinternet.com.)
by Pete Wildman | May 19, 2017 | Circuit News
‘Food & Friends’ Lunch Club is open between 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM every Friday at St Luke’s Methodist Church in Hoylake.
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by Pete Wildman | May 19, 2017 | Circuit News
For the last 53 years each 1st Saturday afternoon of the month (excluding August) St. Luke’s, Hoylake has hosted their Saturday Club.
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by Pete Wildman | May 19, 2017 | Circuit News
Late Night Lock In (LNLI) is a group for young people of secondary school age which meets in the evening of the second Saturday each month at Bromborough Methodist Church.
We welcome the young people from all church backgrounds and none; some of our regular attenders have other links to the church whilst for some LNLI is the church and we are very happy to see all of them when they come.
The activities are a mixture of discussions, crafts, video and film including creating films ourselves, plus some games. There is also a light supper of different types of food each month, some of which may be linked to the theme of the evening.
We often create a piece of art to be placed in the church so the Sunday worshippers can see what the group has been doing.
Each session finishes with an act of worship which draws together all the activities of the night.
The supervisors and helpers are all DBS checked and have completed the relevant safeguarding courses.
All young people from other churches in the circuit are welcome to come by themselves or with a leader from their own church.
