Children's activities

Christ Church was born out of the work among children that goes back several decades on our Pershore Road site. Today, providing worthwhile activities for children remains one of our top priorities. The lack of suitable meeting places for all the children's groups was one of the main reasons for deciding to replace our old hall with a new, larger building.

Sunday groups

During most Sunday services (except for the monthly All Age service, when the children stay in throughout) there is a point when children and their group leaders are invited to leave "for their own activities". In former times their meeting places might have been in different buildings, or even several streets away; but now we can all stay under one roof. Our supervised crèche operates during every Sunday service. Scramblers covers the age range from 3 to 5. FLAG (Fun Learning About God) continues up to age 11, while the older B'Attitude group is made up of young people aged 11-14. Each session is led by at least two adults. The material is Bible-based, often taken from published sources but creatively adapted for local use. When we all meet up again at the end of the service, the younger children are usually clutching something they have made, or a drawing or colouring, to remind them of what they have learned. Week by week, our activities are designed to introduce children to Jesus and give them an understanding of what it means to be and live as a Christian. Our children's leaders and helpers put in a lot of time and hard work towards this goal and this is much appreciated by the children, their parents and the whole church.

Activity sheets help young children feel involved

Child protection Everyone involved in working with children in any capacity is required to receive Child Protection training, to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check, and to understand and sign the Diocesan-approved Child Protection Policy. All adult members are encouraged to share responsibility for the safety, well-being and Christian growth of our children.

Baby and Toddler Group

These weekday sessions have long been popular with local parents and young children. They have been held just along the road at Selly Park Baptist Church during our absence from the Pershore Road site, but are now back in our own building.

Detail from the Toddler Club banner made to celebrate the Church Centre 25th anniversary in 2002

Holiday activities

We have run week-long summer holiday clubs for many years now. At other times of year, the Advent Craft Workshop has proved highly popular, and we have run other successful events, sometimes in collaboration with other churches.

This year's Champion's Challenge Bible Holiday Club is being held in the last week of August. More details can be found here. Please note that advance booking is essential, and places go fast!

Baptism of children

Christ Church follows the historic practice of the Anglican (and many other) churches in baptising children of parents who intend to bring them up in the Christian faith. When children are old enough to make their own decision they can choose to be confirmed if they wish it.

Equally, some parents prefer a service of Dedication for their young children, and we are happy to offer that choice.

Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts

The uniformed organisations have a long history of association with the church, and some of the current leaders are church members. The former Scout Hut was built next to the Church Hall on the Pershore Road site in 1948, and the use of both buildings was shared until the site was closed for redevelopment in 2006.

The new building was designed to meet the needs of the uniformed organisations as well as the church, and it has been a great encouragement to all the groups to be able to use the improved facilities.