Sundays
Throughout the month we have different ways for the children to worship and learn about God.
COGs (Children of God) meets alongside our Sunday service. On the second Sunday of the month, we have Funday Sunday instead of COGs. And most months (usually on the last Sunday) we all stay in for the whole service. These services are often cafe style, and will always aim to ensure plenty of ways to make worship accessible to children and encouraging mixing across generations.
COGs
At the heart of our vision for COGs is to create vibrant spaces where children can build deep friendships, truly belong, and joyfully grow in their faith together. We want COGS to be a place where every child is known, valued, encouraged, inspired and deepens their relationship with Jesus.
On COGs weeks, children usually start in the service for a song and a prayer or activity before leaving for their own session in the hall. Occasionally we start out the back and come in for the last part of the service, such as when joining in with communion.
At the end of the service, children will be brought back into church to find their adult. A parent/carer must stay on site. For younger children, that may mean a parent/carer attending COGs with them. For under 2s, we ask that a parent/carer always stays with them.
Many parents/carers stay in the service, or return to the service once their child is settled into activities. (If you're going back into church during the service, you can always pop out the side door and enter back through the main doors at the back of the service).
Little COGs
This group is for children below school age, babies to preschool. They meet in the small hall. Our focus is for the children to learn that they are loved by God - "God made me and God loves me!"
Sessions focus on "Playing through the Bible" to help children start learning key stories of faith while having fun together.
Often babies, and some toddlers, stay in for the whole service. If you chose to stay in church, the sofa area at the back has some soft toys and space to play / roll around on the floor. We ask that a parent / carer stays with any children under 2 attending COGs.
Turning COGs and Growing COGS
These two groups meet in the big hall at the back of church and do many of their activities together. Turning COGs is for school year R to year 2. Growing COGs is for year 3 to year 6.
Turning COGs, are beginning to turn the cogs of faith, discovering Bible stories, asking questions, praying and finding out what it means to follow Jesus.
For Growing COGs, we are supporting the children in growing their faith. Building on those foundations, exploring the Bible more deeply, growing in confidence and discovering how faith connects with everyday life.
Sessions are built around a Bible story or theme. They'll include time together to hear from the Bible, plenty of crafts and games and often a song. We also include different ways of praying together.
Kingdom Gears
This group is for year 7 up - senior school. We usually meet in the Wesley Room. Our focus is on helping young people to know they are part of God's Kingdom and creating space for our young people to explore faith, ask bigger questions, develop their own relationship with God and discover their place in God's kingdom. Sessions are based around times of discussion.
A few times a year, on 5th Sundays, the group are supported to stay in the service.