Former primary school teacher Emily Holmes has recently joined St Peter’s Bengeworth in Evesham as ‘Children and Families Worker’. Emily is keen to bring more families into church and has a real heart for creating neurodiverse-friendly spaces where all children feel safe and valued.
Emily said:
“My own faith journey began right here at St Peter’s! I completed Alpha, came to faith, and was baptised here. Then after more than 15 years working as a primary school teacher and nursery nurse, supporting children from 3 months to 9 years old, I felt called to combine my love for teaching with my growing faith.”
St Peter's Bengeworth was planted from All Saints Worcester in 2021 by team vicar Andy Smith. As one of our renewal churches it is part of our diocesan vision to grow as Kingdom People, and one of our four priorities to achieve this aims to double the number of children and young people worshipping in our diocese by 2030.
The church currently has a regular core of 15-20 children attending their 11am service on Sundays where children’s activities are provided through one group for all ages.
Emily is keen to ensure more families feel comfortable to come into church.
She said:
“I’m passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where children feel safe, valued, and able to explore faith in fun, creative, and meaningful ways. Being a mum to an autistic daughter has given me a particular heart for making children’s ministry accessible to all children, whatever their needs or background.”
“In the months ahead, I’m excited to build links with local schools through collective worship and after-school clubs, and to help our church become more neurodiversity-friendly by providing sensory aids such as ear defenders, fidget toys, and weighted blankets.”
Thinking long-term Emily is considering ways she can support local parents further and in the future hopes to start a parent and toddler group.
Emily lives locally and outside of church enjoys reading, walking and spending time with her family. She said:
“I live in Evesham with my partner Chris, our daughters Jess and Chloe, and our big fluffball of a dog, Bandit. When I’m not at church, you’ll usually find me out walking Bandit, playing Roblox with my girls, or enjoying a good book with a cup of tea.”
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know more children and families in our church and community and seeing how God works through these connections.”
Find out more about St Peter's Bengeworth here: https://www.stpetersbengeworth.org/youthandchildren
