The Priory Church, St. Bees

Minutes of the Parochial Church Council Meeting held on Monday 7 July 2008 in the New College Hall

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Something happened during a recent church service that warmed my heart.  During the opening hymn a young girl felt the freedom to dance to the music in the centre isle of the church.  After the service her parents were a little concerned that perhaps that sort of behaviour wasn’t acceptable in our church.  I told them that by no means was such behaviour unacceptable.  I think children should have the freedom to enjoy themselves in church.  I know that most of the people in the Priory think so as well.  Occasionally, we have young children running up and down the side isles, and we almost always have young children playing in the back corner.  On top of this freedom, we also have a regular children’s talk during each service at 10:30 which aims to include children and speak directly to them and then fun activities for different age groups in Sunday School. 

There are many of you with young children who wish to raise your children with the practice of going to church, singing the songs, learning how to pray and learning the bible stories and so on.  In short, you wish to fulfill the vows you made when your children were baptised.  Others of you may feel over your head in parenting and are seeking advice for the direction of your own life in order that you may be a better person and parent.  The 10:30 service, though varied, is the time you can feel free to come, with your whole family, to church.  It doesn’t matter which Sunday it happens to be, they’ll all be accessible.

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