Children

The Church of The Annunciation welcomes families with children. Children play a central part in the life of the church. We aim to provide a supportive extended family environment in which the children can feel at ease and get to know Christian life. They are at the heart of the frequent social gatherings organized by the church and its congregation.

The children are encouraged, but not obliged, to participate in the ritual of the church. On Sundays, during mass, they may either sit with their parents or occupy themselves with drawing and reading in the designated crèche area of the church. The parents may sit with them alongside the crèche if they wish. During Communion, the children are invited to come forward for a blessing. The older children are invited to serve at the altar at regular intervals, and are rota'd on the readers list.

From the age of eight upwards, at the discretion of the Priest, there is the possibility for children, if they wish, to take First Communion, after a short period of instruction.

During the sermon, there is a weekly music group for the children, led by the choral conductor, assisted by members of the congregation, all of whom are CRB checked. The children learn songs and some choreography. These music pieces are periodically performed to the congregation at the end of mass. There is the opportunity to join the flourishing adult choir from the age of twelve onwards.

The children also prepare musical and handicraft contributions for some of the main festivals of the church, especially at Christmas, Candlemass and at Easter. At Christmas, there is a nativity play in which all the children sing and act with adult members of the congregation, supported by the choir. This is a very popular child-centred event which draws in the wider parish. There is a strong theatrical tradition within the church which is reflected in the Nativity Play.

Many of the children accompany their parents on our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham. We intend to organize more outings specifically for the children in the near future.