Author Archives: charlotteatsynod

This idea is a lovely and simple way to involve family and friends of all ages in the baptism service, and to encourage them to think about their own faith journey. All you need is: Prior to the service, you will need to cut out enough paper flowers for everyone to have one. They don’tContinue reading “Baptism Prayer Flowers”

Around this time last year, I was delighted to stumble on a wonderful idea in the Facebook Group, Church, Christmas and Covid, ‘Advent in a Bag’ for children. We used it at St Clare’s in conjunction with a whole church activity on Advent Sunday when we made Advent Candles. A few weeks ago, one ofContinue reading “Advent in a Bag for Children”

There is a story that as a child St Clare would use small stones to help her to pray at night. She would hold a handful of stones, and each stone would represent one of her prayers. As she said each prayer, she would place the stone on her bedside table, a physical symbol ofContinue reading “Praying with Stones”

Over the summer at St Clare’s we have run a service series on the theme ‘Included’. This is the concluding sermon. “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24: 42 On Wednesday morning, I was chatting to my friend Steve, who’s the leader of another church aContinue reading “INCLUDED”

Helen, a member of the St Clare’s community has written the following reflection on John 19: 9-29. 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”Continue reading ““Peace be with you””

This simple prayer idea can work with all ages, and is perfect for Christmas services when you want to give some space for people to offer what’s on their hearts to God, even when there are little ones around (though you can use this with just grown ups). It can work with any number ofContinue reading “Angel Prayers”

This super easy idea works for all ages, and was loved by our community when we made them on Advent Sunday. The idea was not mine (thank you to the person who suggested it) and I combined it with another idea that I got from a Facebook group (more on that later), but the ideaContinue reading “Make your own Advent Candles”

Angels are one of the best selling items in St Clare’s shop. People love angels, they seem to be a heavenly being that they are eager and willing to connect with. This is just one reason why we always make a special point of celebrating the feast of St Michael and All Angels on aContinue reading “Celebrating Angels”

One of the things we try to do at St Clare’s is to make sure that all our senses are used in worship. These simple prayers allow people to use touch, sight and sound to pray, as well as some creativity. It also works really well with all ages.  I can’t remember where I foundContinue reading “Prayers of Clay”

A ten-session bible study course designed to help people have a clear grasp of the Old Testament story and the most important themes, events and people. Introduction In 20 years of ministry both in parishes and now as a pioneer minister, one thing seems consistent. People lack confidence about the bible and in particular theContinue reading “The Old Testament in Ten”