Young parents and friends at St John the Baptist, Anglican Parish of Northcote.
 

 

 We've suddenly got a growing number of under 40s (or thereabouts) in the parish. Young couples, and solo parents are bringing children to church and continuing on as parishioners, finding an accepting environment that allows for a range of understandings and levels of commitment in busy lives. We have not got a traditional Sunday School, if we ever will again, because we think we have a better more inclusive and flexible solution to what can sometimes be a problem. We know young parents want to worship and be nurtured themselves. Our arrangement allows that with a generous roster and good funding to be creative with the kids.

We have involved young children in the service and provide suggestions to help parents in their education of their children in the faith. Children are given a part to play as junior sidespeople helping to give out books, helping to collect offerings and then, the BIGGEST part of the show, taking the elements of the Offertory in procession to the altar. We've (now 17) children doing this in turn. Then they go with their parents to receive communion or a blessing too. They escape during the sermon for a short time with a rostered parent to have a story or activity at their level. If they get restless during the service, its OK to wander about, and they can go to a play corner. And all this can happen at a formal Choral service as well as informal. In fact, the robed choir has lately been joined by young Frank wanting to be with Mum. Hey that's fine!

From the educational viewpoint we believe it gives powerful messages to children to have them involved with their family within the worshipping church family.

Again we have a role for some older children and young adults as Crucifer and candlebearers when we have a more formal choral service, or at major feasts. And we've a growing GEN X membership of the choir AND on Vestry too! Yes, at the Easter Vigil this year 2005, Eleni and Philip were candlebearers, and we're getting them some permanent robes.

A project soon will be to get some social activities under way that will be enjoyed by young families together..... (? ten pin bowling, any other suggestions?)

If you are a young person new to the church you might also like to visit Peek Through the Window, an American Episcopal site that has many basic FAQs answered about the Anglican Church and Christianity in general, which largely apply in NZ too. Also look at Anglicans Online as they have a WORLD listing for such information. Go to our People Links page (at the bottom). And if you are in Auckland, the parish is just off the north end of the harbour bridge. Come and see us....