Children and Young People
Children are a vitally important part of the church’s future; within the benefice there are many families whose children attend the local school – Mere Primary School. Throughout the church calendar there are services encouraging children and young people to be involved.
Family Worship
Children and young people are very welcome at all our services and there is a large well-furnished children’s area equipped with toys and books in the church. However the first service of the month is designed to have something special for children and doesn’t usually include Holy communion, unless it falls on a high day.
1st Sunday service in the month is usually planned with children in mind.
Other Children’s Activities include
- Festival Services – At Easter, Christmas, Mothering Sunday and Harvest Festival.
- Mere School – Open the Book is just one of the activities linked with the school.
- Children’s Holiday Clubs – held on occasions throughout the year.
- Little Angels – Little Angels is a friendly baby and toddler group for parents and carers of babies and pre-school children to meet up for a chat, coffee and for the children to play together. It is run by volunteer members of the church community most Tuesdays from 9.30 -11.00 in the Grove Building, opposite the church.
Safeguarding
All serving Clergy, Lay Pastoral Assistants (LPAs) and those who regularly work with the children hold current DBS certificates and have undergone Church of England safeguarding courses. Please read our Safeguarding Policy for more details.
Baptism
We would be delighted to baptise your baby, child or even yourself. Nobody is too young or too old. To inquire about baptism please attend a service and speak to the person officiating or one of our Church Wardens.
Alternatively you can email our administrator Paula at administrator@stmichaelsmere.org.uk, who will put you in touch with our Vicar, Revd. Michael.
Before the baptism, Revd. Michael will meet with you to agree a mutually convenient date and to talk about the promises made at a baptism. As family circumstances vary greatly, he will also discuss whether your baptism would work best as part of the morning service or a separate, dedicated baptismal service.
You can find out more about baptisms on the Church of England web site on the Christening page.
Families Matter
Family life can be exhausting, frustrating and at times heart-breaking. If you are experiencing difficulties and would like to talk to someone, there is a Lay Pastoral Assistant in the Church who would visit you. Please call Christine Marsh (01747 861212) who is trained to listen and to pray.