Children
Read all about our Ecumenical Holiday Club 2009 "Seaside Rock" here!
To find out what's going on in the area for children & young people, click here.
Children really matter to us because they really matter to God.
Jesus was serious and passionate about children when He said:
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these". Luke 18:16
He also said that "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me". Mark 9:37
Here at Wylam and District churches we recognise that children, as well as being the church of tomorrow, are very much the Church of TODAY! Children have much to offer and much to teach us. We mustn't forget that when Jesus was asked who was the greatest in the Kingdom of God, "He called a little child and had Him stand among them. And He said "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven". Matthew 18: 2-4
The Gospel is calling each and every one of us to be like children again, putting our complete trust in our heavenly Father and following Him with a simple & pure faith.
As Hans Urs von Balthazar said, "Jesus' attitude towards children is perfectly clear. No-one will enter the Kingdom of God, which has come close to us in Jesus, unless he takes a turnabout and returns to the mentality of his beginnings".
Children are not to be brushed aside but to be loved, valued and listened to. Every member of the church family can play a part, big or small, in welcoming, encouraging and supporting children in their journey of faith. Children are precious to God and Wylam & District Church initiatives strive to give children safe spaces where they can meet with Him and feel His love.
There is lots going on for children and young people. Each of the four churches that make up Wylam & District Churches hold Sunday Clubs/ Children's Liturgies during their usual Sunday morning worship times with committed leaders and teams of helpers.
There are also events which take place weekly ( such a "BLT" in Wylam First School & Rock Solid Youth Groups in St Oswin's Church Hall), monthly (Messy Church & Sundae Special), bimonthly (X:SIte North East, IXth Hour) and annually (WDC Summer Holiday Club and various ecumenical services such as Harvest, Christmas Carols etc). ALL children are welcome to ALL events! It doesn't matter which church you attend or even if you attend church at all! All children will be welcomed and you will have fun & make friends.
We are always on the look out too for new ideas for events and activities which reach out to & unite our young people and strengthen their faith, so please let us know if you have any suggestions.
Please remember the work of Wylam & District Churches for children & youth in your prayers,
Joanne
Ecumenical Children & Youth Worker
Wylam & District Churches