Our younger members will find an interesting and fun-filled introduction to the Christian faith through our Junior Church groups. We offer Crèche facilities for up to three year olds, until you are ready to take on the activities of our Sunday School groups. Once you reach 10+, we invite you to join our Genesis group, where you learn more about faith by discussion as well as activities. We encourage our young people to be part of the weekly worship and they are warmly welcomed back into Church in time for Holy Communion. Outings are arranged, usually twice a year, with the Genesis Group taking part in their own trips and sometimes going away for the weekend. We have a dedicated team of Junior Church leaders and a good time is usually had by all. We meet each week in the Parish Centre, except in August and on the 1st Sunday Eucharist each month, when we stay together for 'Celebrating Together'. New helpers and Junior Church leaders are always welcome. Please contact our Junior Church coordinator, Les Pickett, via the Contacts page. If you would like your children to join any of our Junior Church activities, we ask you please to fill in a Registration Form. Child protection To keep our children and their leaders as safe as possible while they are in our care, the church has a Child Protection Policy, and all volunteers who work with children under 16 in or for MPC are CRB checked and monitored by our Child Protection Officer. See below for contact details. Crèche We aim to provide a happy and safe play area for the youngest of our congregation (0 - 3 years). This enables the children to meet with each other and hopefully to form friendships that will last through Junior Church. As the children become ready for Sunday School, we try to introduce them to their new leaders. If you have young children we would be happy to see them - and of course you are welcome to stay with them until they are settled... We operate a rota system for adult helpers and you could even volunteer to give us a hand by contacting our JC coordinator, Les Pickett, via the Contacts page. Sunday school We gather in church on Sunday morning and stay for the welcome by the priest and the first hymn. We say a prayer together and join in the procession before going across to the Parish Centre for our lessons. These usually comprise a Bible story, sometimes a song, and then an activity related to the readings for the day. All Junior Church groups meet in the main hall of the Parish Centre so, although we split into the different age groups, there are usually 3 or 4 adults in attendance. We have a lot of fun and laughter, and the time seems to fly by. At about 10.50am we return to the church, where we remain for the rest of the service. Genesis The Genesis Group is for young people aged 10+ years. This can mean quite a variation in age - but they all get on very well with one another; the older ones are always willing to help the younger ones if necessary. Our activities are many and varied. A more mature study of the Scriptures is practised but we also include many lighthearted activities including quizzes, craft activities and drama. Genesis have sometimes performed drama in church and play an active role in the church service. Some have been coming to Junior Church for many years, a testament to the fun we have. Contacts Junior Church Les Pickett via the Contacts page. Child Protection Officer Scilla Ansell 07773 427 644; mitchamparishchurch@uk2.net

A work of art from our Junior Church