I am so excited, at the start of this year, to share that we are now able to move ahead in appointing a new Children’s & Families Minister to lead and develop our ministry with children aged 0–11 and their families here at St Mary’s.

It’s such a great opportunity and role!  It is such a blessing that we already welcome around 100 children every Sunday, and that we have the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of families throughout the year. This is a joyful responsibility – and a vital part of our calling to pass on the Christian faith to the next generation and to help children grow up knowing, loving, and following Jesus.

This role is about more than programmes. It’s about forming disciples, equipping and supporting parents, and building teams who can nurture faith, belonging, and hope over time. We believe deeply that children are not the church of tomorrow, but a vital part of the church today.

As we begin this process, we invite you to pray with us:

• Pray that God would raise up the right person to join our staff team
• Pray for wisdom, discernment, and unity as we recruit
• Pray for our children, parents, carers, and volunteers — that they would know God’s presence and guidance
• Pray that St Mary’s would continue to be a place where faith is impressed on children in everyday life (Deuteronomy 6)

If you know someone who might be interested, tell them about it and share the Job Description with them.  If you’d like to know more about the role yourself, get in touch with Simon Russell as a first port of call.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer as we look to the future!  These are exciting days as we trust God for all that He wants to do among our children and families.

Richard