We recognize that babies and young children need constant attention and our normal Sunday service can be a trying time for both parents and youngsters. So, we cater for our young families on a more informal basis with our new style Early Bird Service.

We meet for half an hour each first Sunday of the month at 10.00 am and it is going very well with new families joining us every month. Our Minister is always there to greet us with a warm friendly smile.

There are plenty of activities for both parents and children to enjoy together and we participate in joyful songs and prayer shown on a large projector screen.

We celebrate birthdays and special occasions and have a different monthly theme featuring a hands-on activity. It is a great way to introduce your children to church activities.

There are plenty of toys to keep the children amused, followed by coffee and biscuits for the adults and the chance to chat amongst a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Come and see !

Proposed Changes to the Main Church Service - September 2006

Following recent proposals to the church congregation, it has been decided unanimously that the main church service be brought forward to 10.30 am ( in line with the main church service at most churches). Many of the congregation also wished for young families to be included in the service. This led to discussions whether the Early Bird Service should combine with the main service for 10-15 minutes and then leave to continue Early Birds for another 15 minutes.

To consider the proposals, members of the Early Bird Service met to discuss the anticipated changes.

Concerns were raised about joining the formal church service whilst controlling lively children in front of an 'audience'. Babies wishing to exercise their voices compete with sermons and bible readings. A formal service provides little visual stimulation to maintain interest for young children. It was felt that the removal of Early Bird would mean that new families attending the church through baptisms, marriages would not have the opportunity of introducing their children to an informal church environment and that existing members would no longer attend the church.

The members stated that they wished to maintain the identity and format of Early Birds which has worked well over the last seven years. Many of the families that have attended over this time, felt that the informal monthly meetings were the perfect solution to accomodate busy lifestyles combined with church attendance. A hands-on approach together with visual aids - projector, power point presentations, words on screen for the hymns and colouring in / cutting out provides a greater span of attention for young children and allows the adults to join in as well ! As a lot of the Early Bird parents also put aside time for preparation of Christmas Nativity plays, parties, Summer Fetes, they felt that they have much to give back to the church but on a suitable timescale.

It was agreed that it would be good to provide more community between the main church congregation and the Early Bird members rather than remaining completely separate. It was felt that doing this at each Early Bird service would prove disruptive for such a short period and would appear like a tornado entering the church !
It was also noted that those whom normally attend the main service may well wish to come along earlier to the Early Bird service, see what takes place and join in with the activities.

An option proposed was to start Early Birds with the main service as a Family Service every four months with the normal Early Bird service in the months between. This would provide the opportunity to combine the services on a periodic occasion and allow everyone the choice of attendance depending on their preferences (for both Early Bird and main congregation alike).

As the change of Main Service takes effect from November 2006, in summary, the proposed changes are:

• Early Bird to continue on the 1st Sunday of each month at 10.00 am.
• Rev. Martin Ambler to attend for the first ten minutes and then leave for preparation of the main service.
• Each fourth month, Early Bird to attend the main service at 10.30 am for first 10 / 15 minutes and then move to hall to continue Early Bird service: December 2006 - April 2007 - August 2007.

Celebrating our Fifth Year Anniversary

Many thanks to Tony, Sue and Bill, Janice and the many other helpers and attendees who keep us all amused each month and make it such an enjoyable time.