St James' and St Peter's Churches - Our Youth

Information on Safeguarding in our Parish can be found here.
Please note that this page replicates information found at this St James' webpage.

Babies, Toddlers and Young Children

At St James' we welcome babies and children as an important part of our church family. We are happy for them to be active and vocal participants in worship and are delighted when they take a toddle around to explore and meet people. We provide play spaces for babies and toddlers, so that families can worship together, and also separate activities for young children.
 
We see children as the church of today not tomorrow.
 
Sunday Mornings at St James'
Downstairs
We have two spaces downstairs where children can play.
 
There's a space within the church, small and a bit squashy but a place to go if you want to stay within the service.
 
And then a bigger space where an adult is present to support the play and where toddlers can play while the older members of their family are taking part in the service. There are a variety of suitable toys and quite often a simple Christian themed craft activity.
 
Parents and children can come and go between the service and play spaces as we recognise that sitting still and quiet is not high on a toddlers list of things to do.
 
Upstairs
We have a brilliant space upstairs at the back of church where we run our 'Southbank Club' named because we are on the south banks of the river.
 
We have a session for Key Stage 1 and 2 children which runs alongside the 10:30 service. The session follows the same theme as the service downstairs and includes an activity, a story, some time for prayer and sometimes a song. We usually make something but our activities try to be child led so we will often try to find toys, games or resources with which the children want to get involved. Parents are welcome to stay with their children or leave them with the 2 adults running the session.
 
The children come downstairs to join the service for communion or a blessing. They can then choose to stay with their family or come back upstairs to finish off or help tidy up.
 
After the service we enjoy a biscuit (or three!) and juice with everyone else in church.

Youth Choir

We're back!!  For 20 years Alex Williams led very successfully our Junior Choir teaching many, many children to sing. Sadly, this had to come to an end in 2015 when Alex took up residence at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, training for the ordained ministry.  Having completed her training Alex now lives and works as a curate in the Edgehill Benefice.
 
Following in her footsteps two of Alex's former Junior choristers (now both in their 20's) have taken up the challenge, and are hoping to raise up a new generation of young singers.  In October 2017 Catherine and Anthony launched the Youth Choir, working towards putting on a Christmas Musical Nativity production, which proved to be a huge success!  The choir is open to anyone who is School Year 3 and older, and can commit to rehearsals and occasional Sunday services.  We might also like to put on a concert every now and then.
 
Who can join?
Anyone who can read and who would like to explore singing!
We encourage teamwork and having fun as a group. It doesn't matter what school you go to, whether you go to church or know anything about God or the Christian faith. We don't hold auditions because everyone has a voice, and even if yours isn't brilliant once you join it soon will be! You do need to be able to make a commitment to coming to a weekly rehearsal on Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:00pm, and singing once a month at a Sunday morning service.

The YOUTH CHOIR gave us a brilliant rendition of 'The Angel Rolled the Stone Away' on Easter day. Well done everyone!

Get in touch:
We're on facebook @StJamesYouthChoir  --  You can contact Catherine  --  or just show up on a Tuesday evening!!
 
Senior Choir
Quite a number of our Senior Choir members came up through the ranks of Alex's Junior Choir and any young people are welcome to join with the Seniors at practice on Tuesday evenings at 6.15pm.  Click here to find out more.

Blue Fish Youth Group

Unfortunately our popular youth group 'Blue Fish' has come to an end.  We have had 17 fantastic years working with young people in the local community, and have provided some amazing opportunities and experiences for those who came through our doors every Sunday.  Thank you all!