Introduction

Church Army Sister Sandra Doore is the Diocesan Development Officer for Children's Work .

Sandra says: "We need to celebrate the work that we are already doing with children, but people involved in children's work also know that we need to ask ourselves some questions."

She adds: "Do we need to change the way that we work with the children we have? Or is there something that we would like to try, helping us to make links with the children in our community?".

She has suggestions to offer to churches: "Have you ever thought about linking with your local school to offer an after school club on a weekly or fortnightly basis? Or how about a family activity day on the local green or in the vicarage grounds? This would help in making contacts with families as well as providing a service that the community needs.

"Other ideas are setting up a ‘messy church’ or ‘teatime church’. This would involve the children in craft activities with their parents or carers and it's aimed at introducing families to the Christian faith and to the church. There is also the idea of having an activity afternoon or holiday club in the summer that children can go to for fun, games, and singing – all based on a theme from the Bible.

Practical advice is available from Sandra and members of the Children’s Work Task Group.

"Let's celebrate the gift that God has given us in children, " Sandra says. "Let's relate to them, care for them and introduce them to the greatest friend that they could ever know. Let’s take a risk and see what God is doing in the lives of our children today!"