We have lots going on at St Saviour’s for children and families, on Sunday mornings, throughout the week, and at our special events.
There are plenty of opportunities for the kids – for creativity and fun, as well as running around and letting off steam, playing games, making friends, and discovering for themselves all about Jesus and how to follow Him.
There are also times for some relaxation, support, encouragement, and friendship for parents and carers.
For more information about our children’s groups, see below, and have a chat with our Children’s Minister, Caz Gatehouse.
Sundays @ 10.30am
At the 10.30am service there are a variety of children’s groups for most ages. The usual pattern is for the whole family to enter church for a time of worship together, and then the children and youngsters are welcome to go out to the church halls and rooms for their own age-related groups (see Kidz Ablaze below) .
You are welcome to come into their group with them at first, to help them settle in. On your child’s first visit, let the group leader know you are new and they will give you a registration form. Or come along and see Caz Gatehouse, our children’s minister, to find out more.
All-age services
On the first Sunday of the month, we have an all-age service that is family-friendly and informal. It generally includes some children’s activities and songs, sometimes puppets, and a shorter talk suitable for all the family. (Our children’s groups do not run on these Sundays.)
Crèche and play bags
For 0-3 year olds: we have a soft-play area in church with a few ‘quiet’ toys, and also a separate, unsupervised crèche room with a wider selection of toys and a television link for the 10.30am service. There are also some play bags of ‘quiet’ toys just outside the crèche room – all available every Sunday morning.
Kidz Ablaze
For all children from 3 to 14 years old: every Sunday morning, we have a range of age-related groups run by our Children’s and Youth Ministers and church members:
- Sparklers – age 3-5, meet in the downstairs hall
- Firelighters – age 5-7, also in the downstairs hall
- Wildfire – age 8-14, upstairs hall
Our groups offer a welcoming and safe environment, where we aim for children to feel loved and nurtured, and where we provide time for:
- Games, activities and crafts
- A look at Bible stories using Scripture Union resources
- Worship and prayer
- A place to have fun and find friends
Messy Church @ 4pm (third Sunday of each month)
Messy Church is a monthly event for the whole family: from babies to grandparents, from toddlers to school kids, from single people to whole clans. It’s completely inclusive and offers a great way to gather together and have fun. For more information see here.
During the week
Baby and Toddler Group
Meet up with other parents and carers and enjoy time with your babies or toddlers (age 0-5). This lively group offers lots of fun and activities for the children, plus great friendship and refreshments for the parents. There is plenty to do: play, crafts, songs, chatting and friendship.
Takes place: Tuesday during term-time, 1.15-3pm
Venue: church hall, ground floor
Costs: small charge – £1 per family
Madness and Mayhem (M&Ms)
For children in school years 3-6: fun, games, a look at the Bible, and a great message every week.
Takes place: Tuesday during term-time, 6.15-7.30pm
Venue: church hall, ground floor
Costs: small charge – 50p
HeART
Come and use your creativity in worship! For children in School Year 4 and above, a group developing and equipping youngsters in creative arts, puppet shows, music … The possibilities are endless, and it’s going to be loads of fun. All for God’s glory!
Takes place: currently on hold, time to be arranged
Venue: church hall, upstairs
Costs: no charge
Key contacts: Caz Gatehouse and Nathan Bendell
St Saviour’s Pre-school
An independent pre-school facility using St Saviour’s church hall. For more information, contact Karen Coates or Caroline Hooker on 07719 403482 or email stsaviourspreschool@live.com. Or, check out their website at stsaviourspreschool.org.uk
Takes place: weekday mornings during term-time, 9am – 1pm, except Tuesdays 9am-12pm
Venue: church hall, ground floor
48th Bournemouth (St Saviour’s) Brownies
St Saviour’s branch of the uniformed organisaton for girls age 7-10, offering crafts, sports, holidays, working for badges, friendship and lots of fun. Contact Andrea Dearsley on 01202 430511 for more information. Register at www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved
Takes place: Wednesday during term-time, 6-7.30pm
Venue: church hall, ground floor
Special events
We run lots of other events throughout the year. Here are some examples of the events we hold, but see the events calendar for up-to-date information and more details.
Easter Family Event
Held annually on Good Friday, this event is a fun way of sharing the Easter message while still having lots of fun. Join us for crafts, games and activities, with refreshments, followed by an informal service for Good Friday and Hot Cross buns after the service.
Family Fun Days
We run occasional days or holiday clubs so keep an eye out for details in our events page.
Summer camp
Run by Hants and Dorset Christian Youth Camps (H&DCYC), these camps are usually held during the first or second week in August. Check out the H&DCYC website for this year’s dates and to book.
The Light Party
A positive alternative to Halloween, this event is held annually on 31 October. There’s always a real buzz, with plenty of activities, crafts, facepaints, a puppet show, a bouncy castle, food and drink. Come in a special costume, but no witches or wizards please!
Quiet Fireworks Party
Are you, or your child, one of those people who do not like the big bangs of the firework displays we have around us today? Perhaps you enjoy the sight of them but not the bangs? Well maybe this evening is for you!
We hold an annual ‘Quiet Firework Party’ at St Barnabas Church, Queens Park on 5 November for younger children who don’t like the ‘big bangs’. There will be crafts and a game, hot dogs, and a quiet firework display (all of noise level 1 or 2).
Come along and join the fun, without the noise!
