Children, Youth and Families

Children's Church

We have Children's Church during all our 10am Sunday services in East Hendred, except for Family Services which are usually every last Sunday of the month where all ages worship together.

Children's Church involves everyone in stories, activities, crafts, games (and snacks!) around the hall or church and outside.

Children's Church is mainly aimed at primary school age children, but younger and older children are welcome too. Parents with babies and toddlers are also welcome to keep them in the main service or to stay with them in the creche at the back of the church in East Hendred.

There are toys and books available in our children's corners in Ardington, West Hendred, and East Hendred.

We also have services especially for families on days like Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive information about these.

First Holy Communion

We have a policy of admitting baptised children to communion after a period of preparation. Please feel free to speak to our clergy about baptism, admission to communion, and confirmation.

The appropriate age at which children receive Holy Communion for the first time is a matter for discernment between individual families and the clergy. Children aged around eight years old are particularly encouraged to take part when we offer preparation sessions. Children who are not sure whether they are ready are also welcome to take part to find out more.

Older children, parents, and carers who haven’t been confirmed are also welcome to join, as a step towards confirmation.

If you're interested or would like to know more please get in touch with our rector, Nikolaj.

Youth

While people of all ages are invited to take part in our worship when we come together on Sundays, we recognise that young people like to hang out with their peers as well. While we don't currently have our own youth group, we are glad to recommend the church youth groups in our neighbouring larger villages of Harwell and Grove.

If that's not quite right for you, we have other recommendations to offer - please get in touch with the Rector.

For those interested in confirmation, in which an individual takes on for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism, please get in touch with our Rector.

School Partnership

We have strong links with The Hendreds School, our local Church of England school in East Hendred, with weekly assemblies in school and termly visits to the church.

We also have members of our church community who volunteer in the school as part of Open the Book, going in to work with the students on exploring bible stories through drama.

We want to be a family-friendly church. We recognise that bringing your children to church is no mean feat. We welcome the sight and sound of children and young people among us. We ask every member of the congregation to take responsibility for creating a welcoming atmosphere. We recognise that how we do things may need to change in order to engage children, young people, and families in a way that reflects their contributions and needs.

Endorsed by the churches of the benefice, 2024

‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.’ (Mark 10:14)

Our aim

Safeguarding

Our parishes are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs):

Angela Findley: East and West Hendred (safeguardingwhht@westhendred.net)

Rose Baring: Ardington and Lockinge (peterbaring@btinternet.com)

Our Diocese’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSOs.

If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO of the relevant parish (see above) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (Erica Hegg, 01865 208295, safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org).

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.