Sunday Club News

Children at Norbury

As I write, it’s the beginning of December and I am about to 'attack' two of my busiest but most enjoyable weeks of the year. But before I do, I want to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers, in all that has happened with children here at Norbury throughout 2008. Also thanks go to all those adults and teenagers who regularly and willingly offer their help with all sorts of activities, events and sessions; without everything that you all do, none of what happens could be achieved.

This year, Sunday Club has continued to grow but more importantly, strong friendships are developing and growing between the children. The highlight of the year was our weekend away at Savio House in Bollington. We still all laugh about our mountain trek (to be precise, a climb up White Nancy). We have also had discos, a picnic and a fun day to enhance our social calendar.

Holiday Club, Jungle Jamboree was also a roaring success and we also managed a one day club, Who Loves You? in February which was also went very well.

As children’s worker I now visit four primary schools in Hazel Grove; Moorfield, Norbury Hall, Hazel Grove Primary and Torkington, usually taking six assemblies a month between them. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to visit the schools and basically make contact with a large number of primary school children in Hazel Grove on a regular basis. I am always made very welcome by all concerned when I visit the schools.

In December, I also have the pleasure of speaking at the Junior Schools’ carol service and Norbury Hall Primary School’s carol service, both held here at Norbury.

Several visits to church have taken place by various classes from the primary schools during the year. This gives the children the chance to discover that church is not a scary place, or somewhere that they can’t speak or move. Often even the accompanying adults are surprised by what we are allowed to do in Church!

Toddler group has also gone from strength to strength and we now have two thriving groups. Even Thursday which was always the quieter group is often as busy as the Wednesday group. This is something I continue to run voluntarily, but see it as an important link with the church and everything that I do. The parents and carers see me as the link as well, and often an initial enquiry about baptisms is made to me.

In December, there are two toddler parties, and one for the Sunday Club. Having parties is one of the great things about working with children! Also, Norbury Hall School’s and the Junior Schools’ carol service, the Toy service and Nativity Celebration, a visit to Norbury Hall to watch the Years one and two nativity production, more assemblies and finally the Christingle on Christmas Eve.

Children at Norbury are definitely kept busy and 2009 will be no different. So far, we have planned another weekend at Savio in April, a craft morning in the February half term holidays, discos, Saturday craft sessions, a summer picnic and Holiday Club in August.

Sunday Club will be back in full swing on January 18th and something called Messy Church is afoot for around Easter, (at the moment all I will say is don’t worry I’m not going to make a mess in the Church!)

Much, much more will be happening as well so keep your eyes and ears open from January to see what we are up to next

I wish you all, all the best for 2009 and thanks again for all your support, from me and all the children.

Cath Palmer (Children's Worker)