The importance of our work with children and young people

We thank God that He has richly blessed St Mary's Church with many, many children and young people.

We count this a privilege and recognise the awesome responsibility that this puts on us to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders he has done. Then they would put their trust in God” Psalm 78:4&7

St. Mary's Child Protection Policy

Policy document for our work with children and young people

• Our Church is committed to providing a safe, warm and friendly environment for the welfare, nurturing and safekeeping of children and young people.
• Our Church is committed to helping and enabling children and young people to develop a personal faith, experience the love of Jesus Christ and to encourage them through prayer, Bible study, fellowship and fun to grow in their faith.
• We rejoice that our children and young people bring a much-valued dynamic to our Church family life and add richness to our worship. Consequently, our Church is committed to enabling children and young people to play an active part in the life and worship of our Church.
• We recognise that those who work with our children and young people need our support and encouragement and we will not expect them to work unsupervised, unsupported or untrained.
• We will follow the published child protection policy of the Diocese to promote best practice in our Church, with our children and young people and with all those who work with them.
• As a Church family we acknowledge that we all have a responsibility to listen to and help our children. Consequently, children and young people are welcome to talk to their group leaders or to any member of St Mary's Child Protection group - George Runacus, Jeanette Chandler, or Judith Feaver.