Bright Sparks is our group for babies, pre-schoolers and their parents/carers. It meets on a Monday mornings from 10am-11:30am at the Church Centre and is led by a team of dedicated volunteers. There’s always lots going on to enjoy from free-play, snacks, refreshments, fun crafts, a coffee machine (for parents) and a singing time featuring Nursery rhymes, Toddler praise songs and sometimes a story.
Bright Sparks is always looking for new volunteers to help with making things run smoothly, from assisting with set up and pack down, talking to parents and playing with the children to serving refreshments in the kitchen. Speak to Lisa to have a conversation and find out more about what’s involved. View our flyer here.
We meet at the 9:15 am Sunday service and cater for children aged 4-17 years old. We seek to help the children to encounter God by having lots of fun through games and free play, sung worship, accessible Bible teaching, crafts, prayer ministry and memory verses. We are keen that the children discover their giftings and then have the opportunity to use them within the services so that they experience being full members of the Church now, and have so much to give and contribute to God’s family here in Hildenborough, not just when they are older.
St John’s is firmly embedded in the local community through our relationship with all our local schools (3 Primary and one Secondary) and we have seen many children start coming along to Church (and bringing their parents!) through meeting one of the team from St John’s.
We do weekly assemblies to both Primary schools, (Stocks Green & Hildenborough CofE ) as well as a fortnightly Secondary assembly with Sackville School who visit us on a Wednesday morning.
Many of the children in this age group have journeyed with us through our younger groups and are now embrace activities more suitable to their changing situations. We recognise that if we are to grow our influence and work with this age group that we need to be able to offer them something that meets their needs which are different from those younger from them. We look forward to see how God will grow this ministry and bring young people back to Himself and Church through it.
To find out more about our activities for this age group or to inquire about volunteering in it, please contact Lisa or speak to her in person.
We champion Christian parents and parenting here at St John’s and with this in mind, we regularly offer Christian Parenting courses in order to help equip and resource Christian parents in the immense God-given privilege of passing on their faith to their children and young people. If you would like to sign up for a course or volunteer to help support it with serving hospitality, please contact Lisa or speak to her in person.
Here are some of the courses we offer;
We are passionate at St John’s about connecting with our local community with the greatest news of God’s love expressed through Jesus Christ. With this in mind, over the course of a year, we run at least four community events a year;
In the Autumn:
1) All Together Harvest service and BBQ lunch in September
2) Light Party (Halloween Alternative) on October 31st
In the Spring:
3) Easter family fun morning
In the Summer:
4) End of term outdoor party and celebration for families
Please contact Lisa if you have any questions or if you are interested in volunteering in any of our groups.
