Crèche

The Minster crèche endeavours to be a fun, welcoming resource for the youngest members of the congregation and their families. We hope to facilitate parents and carers worshipping at the 10am service during term time and to provide a forum for parents/ carers to meet other members of the congregation with young families.

The children enjoy playing with our toys, games and books and a simple craft activity pertaining to a Bible story or the festival we are celebrating at the time. We end with a Bible story and songs before we join parents and the congregation in the Minster.

The crèche runs in the small hall from 9.50am until we bring the children to rejoin their parents and the congregation during Communion.

Children are welcome from as young as their parents feel comfortable with. Parents are welcome to stay in crèche too - whatever they feel best meets the needs of their child and themselves.

Once they have started Reception class at school and they and their parents feel that they are ready, the children can move on to Kingfishers.

Kingfishers

‘Kingfishers’ is a group of enthusiastic children aged 4–11, who meet in the church hall every Sunday in term time from 9.45am – 11.00am, when they join the adults in the Minster Church. The children are on their own journey of discovery as they listen and reflect on Bible Stories, sing and pray together and enjoy various activities.

We have introduced the Godly Play story box and there are five trained story tellers who take the lead each Sunday. The morning has its own particular structure and the children come to appreciate the routine and enjoy following the regular pattern week by week.

Each term Kingfishers join the residents at the Almshouses for a special Eucharist Service in the Almshouse Chapel.  This is a great opportunity for young and old to meet together and enjoy shared worship.  We are always warmly welcomed by the residents. When the children move from Year 6 (Primary School) to Year 7 (Secondary School) they are introduced to the Blue Door Group, which is the follow-up group for young teenagers.

Blue Door Group

The Blue Door Group was started in January 2011 for young people who need a time and place in the church to explore their faith, discuss issues that are important to them and develop their role as members of the Minster community.

The group is for young people in Year 7 to 9 at senior school. We meet every Sunday during term time from 9.50 am in the Minster Study and join the congregation at ‘The Peace’ during the Parish Eucharist.

The emphasis is on faith, friendship and fun and the group offers a warm welcome to familiar and new faces.

If you would like to join us or wish to find out more about The Blue Door Group, please contact The Minster Office.

Prayer and Praise

 ‘Prayer and Praise’ takes place at Croydon Minster once a month, usually on the fourth Sunday of the month, at 11.45am. Led by Elaine Cooper, one of our Lay Readers, it’s a very informal, friendly little service for children aged approximately 4–8 and their families.

The service begins with the lighting of the Prayer and Praise candle and continues with a story and discussion, songs and prayers. There’s often an activity for the children to take home - a colouring sheet or an idea for something to make - which they can show at the next service if they wish. Everyone is welcome - please keep an eye on our weekly ‘Minster News’ for dates of future services. For more information please contact the Minster office, or speak to Elaine.

Children aged 7 and above may also join one of the choirs or the serving team.