🍂 Children’s & Families Newsletter| Celebrating Community and Faith - Serena Stanton

🍂  As the days grow shorter and the season of autumn deepens, we at St Luke’s continue to celebrate the warmth of community and the joy of gathering together.

This month, our children’s and families’ groups have been thriving, from our weekly toddler and parent/carer sessions to Sunday morning activities. We have loved welcoming new families, enjoying creative play, and sharing stories that inspire and uplift.

Sunday Morning Groups

At present, we do not have children in the newborn – 2 years age group, so the Embers group is not currently running. We hope to welcome this age group in the future!

Sparklers & Rockets

3 – 7 yrs

Play, songs, stories, and crafts

Explorers

8 – 11 yrs

Growing in faith and friendship

🙌 St Luke’s Altogether Services

🗓️ Every 4th Sunday of the month

These services continue to develop beautifully.
A heartfelt thank-you to Rev’d Matt for guiding us — experimenting with seating layouts, service content, and leading uplifting contemporary worship.
We’ve also celebrated several baptisms, which have been joyful moments for our whole church family.

Writers’ Group Contribution:
Our St Luke’s Writers’ Group has been busy producing short theatre pieces that are performed during the All In services. These creative pieces bring Bible stories and faith themes to life in imaginative and interactive ways, engaging children, families, and the wider congregation alike. It’s wonderful to see our writers and performers exploring their gifts and contributing to worship in such a meaningful way.

📖 Open the Book – Moorlands Federation School

The Open the Book team has been back at Moorlands Federation School each Tuesday afternoon throughout the term, bringing Bible stories to life for the children.

Last term we shared the Bible stories:

• Jacob & Esau – exploring forgiveness and family;

• Our own adaptation of the Parable of the Sower – a whole school harvest assembly discovering how God’s word grows in our hearts & how we can share kindness to others; and

• Gideon – learning that God gives us courage even when we feel small.

This term we’re focusing on:

• Daniel – standing firm in faith; and

• The Annunciation – celebrating Mary’s faithful “yes” to God’s plan.

It’s been wonderful to see the children’s amazement as the stories unfold, and to hear their thoughtful reflections on what these messages mean for them today.

👶 Weekly Parent & Carer Groups

Little Stars - Every Wednesday from 11am-12.30pm. Newborn to 18 months. This group includes refreshments, baby massage, rhyme time, and regular visits from health and fitness providers – a friendly, supportive space for new parents

Little Treasures - Every Thursday from 10.45am-12.15pm. 18 months to 2.5 years. This group is fun, community, and early-years support, including refreshments, craft, rhyme time, parachute games, and basic Makaton.

These groups continue to buzz with warmth and connection.
We’ve enjoyed welcoming new families, health professionals, and early-years providers who offer practical advice and taster sessions, creating a real sense of belonging and support.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who help run Little Stars & Little Treasures — your time, care, and dedication make these groups such welcoming and supportive communities.

🧩 Chatterbox Pre School Group

🗓️ Twice-monthly Thursdays • 9:30 – 11:30 am

A morning of play, crafts, stories, nursery rhymes, and refreshments. This is a long standing group for St Luke’s for pre school children & their families. Over the years there has been real commitment by the core team - Sam, Polly & Deanna to this twice monthly group. Thank you.

🎆 A Fabulous Firework Party!

Earlier this month we gathered for our annual ‘Quietish’ Firework Party on Thursday 6th November at St Luke's, and what a brilliant evening it was!
Families from across our church and community came together to enjoy sparkling fireworks & sparklers, delicious hot dogs, cakes & ice cream, hot drinks and plenty of laughter.
It was a true celebration of togetherness — thank you to everyone who helped organise, set up, cook, bake, serve, or simply came along to share the fun.
Moments like this remind us how blessed we are to belong to such a vibrant and welcoming church family.

🌿 Community Connections & Looking Ahead

🎬 Christingle Film – Monday 2nd December

We’re excited to share that our **NEW** Christingle film for Moorlands School will be airing on 2nd December!
This special production celebrates the Christingle tradition, helping children explore the symbolism and joy of Christ’s light in our world.

This film is being written and produced by Rev’d Matt & me and with the help of some of the Open the Book team.

Volunteers Needed!
We would love some helping hands to assemble the Christingle class boxes for the children at Moorlands School & delivering to the school.

If you’re able to lend a little time and join in the fun, on Monday 1st December, please contact me — all ages are welcome, and it’s a wonderful way to get involved in preparing for this special project.

Last year the oranges were donated anonymously. Would any of you like to share the cost with our anonymous donor for the Christingles this year??? The estimate is about £125.

🎨 St Luke’s Christmas Card for Moorlands School – Tuesday 2nd December

This year a Christmas card has been produced to give to every child at Moorlands School.
Each card celebrates the message of Christmas and sharing the light and joy of the season with our school community.

Each card will be personally addressed to each child in the school & I will organise printing & delivering to the school.

🎶 Carol Service – Sunday 14th December

Join us for a festive Carol Service at St Luke’s, featuring a children’s choir!
We are looking for children aged 4–11 years to help us lead one carol as part of our time together.
This is a wonderful opportunity for young voices to shine and for the whole congregation to celebrate the joy of the season.

Volunteers & Participants Needed!
If your child would like to take part in the choir, or if you can help support the service, please contact me.

🎄 Moorlands School Christmas Service – Tuesday 16th December

We’re delighted to be hosting two Christmas services for Moorlands School — one in the morning and one in the afternoon at St Luke’s Church.
We’ll also be welcoming children’s families & friends to join us and we will be providing refreshments for the grown-ups during each service.

Volunteers Needed!

We need extra hands to help on the day with refreshments and supporting the services. If you can help, please contact me. Your support will make this celebration even more special for the children and their families.

🌟 Nativity All In Service – Sunday 21st December

Join us for a special Nativity-themed All In service at St Luke’s as we celebrate the Christmas story together.
All are invited to take part in acting, singing, and storytelling, bringing the Nativity to life in a fun and interactive way.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all ages to worship together and share in the joy of the season.

Volunteers Needed!
We would love extra helpers to support the service, perform with the team, assist with costumes, or help guide the children. Please contact me if you can help.

🍂  As we move through November, we give thanks for the friendships, laughter, and faith-filled moments that make St Luke’s such a welcoming place for children and families.
We look forward to the weeks ahead, with more opportunities to come together, celebrate our community, and nurture the faith and imagination of our youngest members.

With gratitude and blessings,

Serena Stanton
Children & Families Ministry

serena@stlukesbath.com / 01225 331898