MINISTER'S BLOG   August 2026

I love Sunday mornings! I love being with you all, seeing the Church fill up, watching people greet each other and chat later over coffee. I love hearing the praise as we worship God together, and I love feeling the Holy Spirit move amongst us. But one of my favourite things is when the children and young people leave!! It is a real blessing to see the youngsters leave and to see the church half empty. At one time we were concerned about the small number of children - God has answered prayers. And we really are blessed with so many dedicated class-leaders who go out with them. One thing is certain - when they go out they're not just babysitting the children so they don't get bored and fidget through the sermon: there is a real dedication to Bible teaching, discipling, making space for deep questions. It really encourages the children - and the leaders - when we ask them what they have learnt in their groups.
 
   Being a child in today's world is tough. Many of us worry about the state of the world our children are growing up in. And it can be easy for us to look back with rose-tinted glasses and mutter "back in my day" as we tut at some behaviour or outfit that we don't agree with.  And modern-day parenting is hard too. Our children grow up in a world governed by technology. And - love it or loathe it - that technology is here to stay. Youngsters have easy access to 24-hour news of atrocities from across the world. It's hard to protect young minds from images of war and bloodshed. Children need to cope in a world of AI which, used in the right way, brings many benefits. But all too often AI can bring a false narrative to simple everyday happenings. In short we - adults and children - are often uncertain as to whether what we see and read is reliable. Parents need to negotiate that alongside their children.
 
  But God created our children and called them for the exact moment in time that they're in. Their life isn't a coincidence or accident, just as ours isn't. As a church we have a duty of care for everyone. We are one family under God, we are brothers and sisters in Christ and so we have to look out for one another. Maybe offer to mind a baby or play with a toddler while mum or dad have a coffee - it may be the only break they get that week. Maybe chat to the teenagers, asking how they are and what's going on in their life. And parents - encourage your children to chat to different adults - they may be missing young children or grandchildren and would welcome those cross-generational conversation, which can be very powerful and encouraging for all age-groups.
 
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
                                                                                        Ephesians 4:15-16 
 
  In our confusing, fast-paced digital world, life can be really complex. But we can all help make Sundays different. Church is real, it's tangible. Face to face conversations matter. God is real. Safe spaces for asking questions are so important. Church is a place we can be open, honest, raw, vulnerable, safe, loved, ourselves. Who are you going to talk to and get to know next week?
 
  And if you sense God might be calling YOU to do more with our children and young people, come and talk. If you're interested in supporting our work with our Sunday groups chat to Barbara, or talk to Al about getting to know our youth and the various activities designed for them. Our children and teenagers are the future of the church, and they matter enormously!
 
Nigel