Childrens Meeting, normally the first three Sundays of the month, but not in August.
Children’s Meeting
"The Quaker principle has the greatest significance for religious education. Denying the power of one man to determine the religious life of another, it also denies to a parent the power to determine the religious life of his child; and asserts in its place the duty of a parent to awaken his child’s own response to reality. There is thus a need for instruction and nurture, but with the emphasis on understanding and not on passive acceptance. The child will be shown, not told. "
Harold Loukes: "Friends and their Children", 1959
Our Children’s Meeting is not a class as we have no creed to teach. It is part of the Meeting for Worship where children will share their thoughts and experiences with each other just as happens in the main Meeting. Their ministry is as important as that of their seniors but it will be expressed in the languages that they have; drawing, talking, singing, writing, miming, playing. Some care and guidance will be given by the Quaker facilitator to encourage deeper thought - but this will be done by selection rather than rejection. Some boundaries are agreed by discussion; listening to each other; no put downs; words and actions that help rather than hurt. This is a special time when we meet together to share good things with each other not to just to please ourselves, but each one of us has something special to contribute no matter how old or young , big or small we are. When children feels their ideas are heard and valued they grow in self confidence.
Please contact Tony Habgood, 01761 241404, Lindsay Bond 01749 890352, or Emily Richardson 01458 446360 before planning to bring your children to Children's Meeting.