The Revd Canon Eileen Harrop and volunteers from the church community at St Mary’s Gainford are continuing to see the fruit of their continued investment into the Children, Youth and Families Ministry in the parish. To enhance this ministry, over the last year the PCC has financially invested in a Children, Youth & Families Missioner, Claire Mead, to continue to enable this ministry to flourish; in particular investing in regular input into the life of Gainford Church of England Primary School.
In January, with the expansion of the plurality to include Staindrop and Ingleton the Missioner has also benefited to the life of Staindrop and Ingleton Church of England Primary Schools as well as leading and developing the volunteers already engaged in the established ministry which includes Youth Saints and Bible Study and Messy Church.
‘Revealing Jesus’ at Summer Holiday Club
A great time was had by all at the recent Summer Holiday Club based on the Scripture Union ‘Guardians of Ancora’ game. Primary School aged children from across the local schools were invited to attend the two fun filled afternoons. The team really enjoyed working with Neil Jackson who is a local Mission Enabler for Scripture Union and Claire’s ‘Faith Guide’ Mentor.
Sheila Jones (Co- Leader) said “Neil ran two excellent outdoor sessions of games on the village green using a variety of games which enabled the children to reflect upon the Bible stories each day. The team were very thankful for his support and we are really keen to try out these new ideas going forward.”
The children loved creating their very own fishing boats from cardboard on day 1 as everyone explored the story of the miraculous catch of fish from Luke 5. There were also fish related crafts to work on as well as trying out the very popular ‘Guardians of Ancora’ game on the kindles. On the second day, the children enjoyed looking at the healing of the man who was lowered through the roof to Jesus. Some of the children made their very own toy houses to reflect upon the story! At the end of the second day, the children were invited to respond to Jesus’ offer of forgiveness with a ‘Fizzy Forgiveness’ prayer activity.
Youth Summer BBQ Party and Holiday Club Celebration
The holiday club sessions were rounded off with a BBQ party in the Vicarage garden. The team were very grateful that the weather stayed fine for this event which had been initiated to invite young people in School Years 6+ together that the parishes have contact with and their friends to chat about what youth provision they would like going forward.
The young people shared lots of great ideas whilst they tucked into a delicious BBQ cooked by Sheila Jones (Co-Leader Youth Saints) and Geoff Taylor (Churchwarden). The children and young people also enjoyed taking part in a wide range of games led by Sarah Fells, new Children, Youth & Families Missioner: Gainford, Ingleton and Staindrop Parishes.
Eileen Harrop said “It was great to see all the children thoroughly enjoying themselves in the garden! We are thankful to God for another very successful Summer Holiday Club which has brought together children and families from across the four parishes and beyond. It was a joy to see parents in fellowship at the BBQ with our team. We are particularly excited about how we can develop the ideas that the young people shared at the BBQ to create a youth ministry provision that appeals to the young people in the parishes”.
For more information about the Children, Youth & Families Ministry feel free to contact:
Sarah Fells (Children, Youth & Families Missioner: Gainford, Ingleton and Staindrop Parishes)
StMarys@gainfordwinston.church
You can also find updates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainfordwinston
Written by St. Mary's Gainford