Bishop Hugh visits Cropthorne with Charlton First School

Bishop Hugh visited Cropthorne with Charlton C of E First School on 3 November to share in their collective worship and meet with the children.

The service took place in St Michael’s Church in Cropthorne. Revd Sarah Dangerfield welcomed the parents, teachers and children to the church then handed over to the year 5 students. They shared prayers, hymns and spoke of the parable of the wise and foolish builders.

Bishop Hugh elaborated on this parable as part of his sermon, asking the children, ‘what would be a wise foundation for you to build your life on?’ Food, water, sleep and thinking things through before you do them were suggestions from the children. He added “Here’s what I think Jesus was talking about. The world is changing a lot at the moment so the wisest foundation you can build your life on is something that will not change; God’s unending love for you, that will never change.”

The year 5 children then presented Bishop Hugh with a cross made out of decorated lolly sticks, one from each child. He thanked them for this beautiful representation of God’s love and their love to one another as one church-school community.

As part of the service headteacher Denise Smith also shared how their Christian values shape everything they do, shown through their emphasis on ensuring every child feels loved, valued, and celebrated for the unique gifts they bring.

She also spoke about how the ethos of the school in encouraging their students to be curious and courageous learners, asking questions and embracing challenge.

This was definitely demonstrated in the Q&A sessions that followed back at the school with children in years 3, 4 and 5 asking insightful questions which Bishop Hugh described as fantastic and thought-provoking. These included ‘What Bishop Hugh had to do to become Bishop of Worcester, how we know our prayers have been answered, how we can best serve God and whether he eats Bourbon biscuits!

Headteacher Denise Smith said:

“We were delighted to welcome Bishop Hugh to our school. The children thoroughly enjoyed asking thoughtful questions and sharing their learning with him. They were especially proud to present him with a gift as a token of our appreciation. It was a special and memorable occasion, it is not everyday that you get to welcome a Bishop into our school community.”

Revd Sarah said:

“It is always such a joy whenever children lead worship and our prayers in church and school. They do everything with great enthusiasm, joy and meaning. The questions they asked back at school remind us all, whatever our age, to be curious in faith; curious about God; and curious about what it means to be human and so loved by God”.