We’re a benefice really geared towards children, young people and families. At the moment, most of what we offer is at St Mary’s Bransgore.
Sunday Groups
On a Sunday Morning at 10.30 we have groups with children from 0-16. Children leave before the talk and come back to gather round the Lord’s table with the whole Church. Of course, they are welcome to stay with the adults too! On the first Sunday of each month, the whole service is all-age with something for every generation. These are our three groups:
Scramblers is our crèche for 0-3s – lots of toys and a Bible story. Leave your little one and settle down to enjoy a bit of time to reflect and listen to God speak from his word.
Explorers is our group for over 3s. A typical session involves games, craft and learning a rap, all to help get to grips with a Bible passage or story. It’s a lot of fun!
Pathfinders is our group for tweenagers and teenagers (until we have more space to have a group for each!) These guys have great fun reading the Bible for themselves, using games and challenges to help them understand it and going on trips and outings (not during the service!). Pathfinders also get to go on the amazing summer camp that we support – R4@Woolie. More on that below…
Godplay
Godplay is our popular Tuesday morning baby and toddler group, 10-11.30am. Great toys, a cup of tea for grown ups, snacks, songs and a true story from the Bible. Each session is £1.50 per family. On the first Tuesday of each month, Godplay also hosts the local baby clinic – bring your red book and come a make some friends!
Godzone
Godzone is our afterschool club for primary school age children featuring great Bible-based teaching about Jesus, wacky games, cool crafts, a healthy snack and loads of great toys to play with. It’s on Wednesday afternoons during term time – 3.30 to 4.45pm. If your child is at Bransgore Primary School, children are collected by the Godzone leaders (provided you have registered him or her) and taken across to the Church. Godzone is great fun and we usually have about 50 children each week!
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
These awesome and popular groups meet in Church on a Thursday afternoon/evening. For more information visit http://www.girlguiding-dorset.org.uk/where_we_are.php
Summer Camp – Woolie 4
The weird name first – our camp used to be called Romsey 4. Because the Romsey school we used was too small we’ve moved to Elstree School near Woolhampton and last year were called R4@Woolie – now we’re Woolie 4! 80+ children aged 10-13 spending an August week at a boarding school complete with a great team of leaders (led by our vicar), swimming pool, amazing sports facilities, kayaking lake, outdoor activities, crafts, games and great clear teaching about Jesus Christ. Woolie 4 is overseen by CYFA, a big Christian youth work organisation – visit our page on their website (http://www.ventures.org.uk/venture-holidays/details/2607) or our own website (www.woolie4.hol.es).
Safeguarding
The benefice safeguarding policies can be seen here:
New Forest Edge Churches 