As you may already know, Hampstead Parish Church has recently been awarded the Children’s Charter by the London Diocese, and you will see a sign to this effect by the main door on your way out of church. We also have a certificate on the board at the back of church and will in due course receive a monthly newsletter as well as having access both to a network of churches on the same journey and to a (limited) grant scheme.
The Children’s Charter is a Diocesan initiative to help parishes develop the welcome they offer to children. Joining it is seen as a commitment to welcome children into the heart of our congregation and to think deeply about our mission to them. In order to be awarded the charter mark the Children and Young People’s Working Party completed a self-assessment form under four headings – Worship, Welcome, Nurture and Mission. The Working Party then selected three targets for improvement over the next year as part of an action plan. This year’s targets are:
• To open the discussion with the parish about whether to admit children to communion by asking the Rev. Simon Atkinson (Head of Hampstead Parochial School) to discuss his experience of doing this.
• To encourage teaching about spirituality by holding training events for Sunday School teachers, parents and any other interested parties.
• To explore the idea of having a children’s council so that the children can be consulted more regularly about their wishes.
If you have any ideas about ways we can improve the welcome we give our children, please don’t keep them to yourselves! You can speak to Fr. Stephen or to Emma, or send them an email, or chat to one of the leaders of the Junior Church groups. Thank you all for the tolerance, good humour and understanding you show to all our children, no matter how small – or noisy!
Diana Finning
PS on Wednesday September 21st 2011 at 8.00pm Jim Davis from the Children’s Society will be talking about the role of fathers in bringing up children. Jim has worked for the Children’s Society for over 25 years and was a member of the Good Childhood Enquiry which reported in 2009. He came to talk here last year about what makes a good childhood and was a great success. Please put the date in your diaries now.
The Children’s Charter
Diana Finning