WOULD you like to experience some in-depth training to help your church to launch or develop its children’s ministry?

Our tried-and-tested Children’s Ministry Essentials course will relaunch this autumn, offering paid staff and volunteers who work with children a chance to learn new skills or refine their approach to children’s work.

It will be available both as an in-person course, running on three Saturdays in the autumn, or as an online training module. Both versions will include input from our children, youth and families training co-ordinator Becca Chamberlain, as well as the chance to meet others across our diocese involved in this work.

Clergy, children’s ministry leaders and helpers – paid and voluntary – are welcome to come to the in-person course, hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd, Crookhorn. The sessions takes place on Saturday 25th September, Saturday 10th October and Saturday 7th November.

The 10-week online version of the same course is also available as an alternative, and will cover the same material. That takes place each Wednesday night from September 19, and is ideal for those who are unable to attend in person or require flexibility.

Participants from a dozen churches across Fareham, Havant and Portsmouth have enjoyed taking part in the Children’s Ministry Essentials course during the summer term (pictured above). They met for 10 weeks, mostly at Holy Trinity Church, Fareham, for the training.

Among those who took part was the Rev Jill Phipps from St John the Baptist Church, Shedfield. She said: “Becca was always helpful in explaining and giving examples and encouraging interaction and group work and providing the handouts and snacks. I found contributions from everyone else so helpful.”

Debbie LeFevre-Turner, volunteer children and families’ leader at Holy Trinity, Fareham, said: “I think I learnt about something which was useful most weeks.”

And Antonia Osborne-Stewart, children, youth and families lead at St Mary’s, Warsash, said: “The course was absolutely brilliant, I learnt loads, and met lots of wonderful faith filled women who I’m sure I will keep in contact with.”

To sign up for the Children’s Ministry Essentials course – either in-person or online - click here.

As well as the in-person and digital opportunities already described, you can also sign up to work your way through the Children’s Ministry Essentials modules by yourself, at your own pace. Contact Becca directly on rebecca.chamberlain@portsmouth.anglican.org for details on how to access it yourself.