Children and families
Children are welcome at all services in all four churches. In Somersham there is a toddler group called Little Acorns. In Somersham church there is a carpeted area at the back with toys and books, and often an activity for children during the service.
The family services below are shorter and more informal, and may include crafts, activities, drama and food. The times on this page are not the same as the times on the church pages or the Regular Worship page. All of them are listed on services.
As published on this page
First Sunday — Family Service at Old Hurst. Musical instruments for children, a craft table and an all-age talk.
Second Sunday — Messy Church in Somersham, 4:00–5:30pm. Tables at the back of church connect to a theme, for example Valentine’s, new beginnings, Easter or Christmas. There is generally a community activity such as a group collage, a science activity, Lego or building blocks, an edible craft, or painting and sticking. All ages, including babies, are welcome.
Third Sunday — Family Service at Woodhurst. The page says to check the time: 4pm during rugby season and 10:30am the rest of the year. Children often do the readings. There is a fun talk and well-known songs and hymns.
Third Sunday — Breakfast Sing and Praise at Old Hurst. For anyone who likes bacon, cake, coffee and singing, with modern and traditional songs projected on a screen and music from an iPad.
Fourth Sunday — Family Service at Somersham, 10:30am. A shorter service of Common Worship with one or two Bible readings, which may include a drama. There is a children’s table at the front. The children and Jess, Family and Children’s Worker, supervise, although parents can sit with their children. Every alternative month it includes a short communion.
For more information contact the Rector, Revd Rob Kean, on 01487 404 225 or at rector@somershamparishes.org.
Little Acorns
The Little Acorns toddler group meets at the back of Somersham church every Tuesday morning during term time. This page says 9:00–11:00am. The Somersham church page says 9:30–11:00am. The diary lists 9:30–11:00am every Tuesday, including outside term time.
You can meet other parents, carers and childminders, and there is coffee, tea and homemade cake, crafts, singing, a Bible story and a prayer. The group is run by Sophie, Family and Children’s Worker.
Facebook page named on the site: Somersham Benefice Children’s Church.
Work with schools
Every fortnight, on a Monday afternoon, the Open the Book team with Revd Rob Kean attend assembly at Somersham Primary School and, with some of the pupils, act out a Bible story. The school also visits the church at Christmas, Easter, Harvest and the end of the school year.
The team also visits Whitehall School, and both schools bring pupils into church to support the RE curriculum. There is a special service at the end of the school year for the children, families and teachers.
Revd Rob Kean and Eddie Howlett (churchwarden) hold a Loaves and Fishes lunchtime club at Somersham Primary School at 12:45–1:15, where the children act out a Bible story and complete a related craft.
The Somersham church page also says Open the Book goes into the primary school and the independent school in the village.