Many schools and parishes in the Diocese of Worcester enjoy iSingPop visiting for one-off events and bringing their infectious enthusiasm, dance routines and faith-based songs for the children to learn and grow together.
One church and school in Gloucestershire worked together to take that experience even further, creating a new worshipping community in the school hall, using the familiar songs and dances to help people feel at home.
NWC Enabler Kim Brown, who knows the area, was invited to come and join in and share the excitement at St. Mary’s church primary school in Tetbury, and now hopes she can inspire and support parishes in Worcester Diocese to do the same.
Kim asked the Vicar, Poppy Hughes, what the format is and how it’s set up.
Poppy said:
“A team of around 8 people help to set up crafts and prepare food that is shared together at the end, and families move around 4 different craft activities on the theme for the service. This has reached families who would not attend a normal Sunday morning service for a variety of reasons, and each time between 30 – 60 people attend.”
Kim said:
“There was a real sense of belonging and welcome, with grandparents and parents greeting the helpers like long lost family members, and the children enthusiastically joined in with all the craft activities. We all had a go at the songs and the dance routines too. At different times of the year, the new community comes to the parish church to celebrate together with the wider church family and so bonds are built between all of God’s family.”
“This seems a good development to come from ISingPop going into schools and opens a way of connecting with people who might be far off from Sunday morning worship.”
At the end of the concert performance, an invitation postcard is given to each adult with the details of ‘Celebrate’ and the dates.
Kim added: “Parents told me yesterday that they kept it on the fridge with a magnet, so they wouldn’t forget the dates.” (See picture).
Please get in touch with Kim Brown if you’re considering this as a next step from the ISingPop team coming into one of your schools. Email: kbrown@cofe-worcester.org.uk.
