Events

Events for children and young people

Sleepover Event for 9-13s

Express Yourself

The District is holding a 24 hour sleepover event for anyone aged 9-13 in our churches. It starts at 6.30pm on Friday 30^th September through to 6.30pm on Saturday 1^st October and will be held at St James Road Methodist Church in Southampton.

“Express Yourself” will cost only £12 for 9-13s and £10 for leaders which includes all food throughout the event. We have a great team who are putting the event together and it will include Games, Workshops, Activities, Craft, Worship and hopefully lots of fun and laughter.

For more information or to book places contact Christy-Anna Errington on 01305 826012, christy-anna_@hotmail.com or Nicola Briggs on 01305 826055, 07858 192996 or briggs@gotadsl.co.uk.

Click for:      9-13s Sleepover Poster                                  Express Yourself Booking Form Leader

                  Express Yourself Booking Form YP                    Express Yourself Group Booking Form

* * * * * * * * * *

Children's Fun Day

As part of the work of our District One Programme Participant, Christy-Anna Errington, we are trying to increase the participation of children and young people in the life of the church.

On 5^thMarch the Southampton District held its first children’s fun day. The aim of the day was to bring children together from across the district to have fun and hear about God, but also for the District to find out what they think about church.

The day was open to children between the ages of 5 and 11.   25 children attended, with a mix of groups brought by their leaders and local children brought by their parents. The activities included a treasure hunt, ‘design an alien church’, games, workshops on cooking, craft, puppets and drumming and a sharing and story time at the end.

Information gathered from the children throughout the day will be included in an overall report at the end of the connexional year, but some of the things that came out strongly were:

* The children overwhelmingly preferred to be with friends and family for worship and prayer as opposed to on their own or in large groups.

* The children’s least favourite way to interact with the Bible was to sit and listen to a story, with watching or acting out the story being preferred.

* Only a small number regularly attended Church or after school clubs.

Sadly we had to cancel a second fun day planned for Basingstoke on 30^thApril. We would really appreciate your feedback on the children’s fun day, whether you participated or not.  Please email Christy-Anna ErringtonC@methodistchurch.org.ukwith answers to the following questions:

Name of your Circuit

Did anyone from your Church attend the children’s fun day in Gillingham?

If yes, what kind of feedback was given?  If not, why not?

Why didn’t anyone from your church attend the children’s fun day in Basingstoke?

Would they have gone if the Royal Wedding hadn’t taken place that weekend?

What would make you more likely to take a group to a district fun day?

We are really pleased that Revd Dr Andrew Wood was able to be at the children’s fun day in Gillingham to hear what children thought of church as well as seeing them enjoying themselves. He will also be participating in the youth weekend in June. Come and tell the District Chair what you enjoy about church and what you struggle with.

* * * * * * * * * *