Children’s ministry at St Simon’s Southsea
Our Shipmates groups welcome children and families to Sunday services, weekday activities and special events.
We love, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19
The children who attend our Sunday services will tell you,
We are the Church, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
We welcome children and families into St Simon’s and hope each of them will feel the love of Christ and, through that love, come to know Him.
Shipmates on Sundays
| Sunday | From | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9:30 am | Shipmates Family Service |
| 2nd | 10:30 am | Morning Praise Service with Shipmates Groups |
| 3rd | 10:30 am | All Age Service |
| 4th | 10:30 am | Morning Praise Service with Shipmates Groups |
During our Morning Praise Service we offer a 'Shipmates' group for 4 - 11 year old's and Creche' Crew for 0 - 3's Please add your child's name to the registrar on your way into church.
We begin the service altogether with worship & the children will be invited to their groups after the 'Prayers of Confession'.
Parents are welcome to stay as long as they like to settle their children into the Creche' Crew, and service is livestreamed to the group.
View Shipmates events in our Calendar
Shipmates on weekdays
We have regular groups for our local families and community. Full details and updates are available in our Facebook group.
| Weekday | Times | Group | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday during term time | 10:00 to 11:30 | Little Shipmates Stay and Play | Under 5 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 to 1:00 | Shipmates Childminders Group | |
| Tuesday | 9:30 to 11:00, or 1:00 to 2.30 | Little Shipmates Play and Praise** | |
| Tuesday | 3:30 to 5:30 | Shipmates Café After School Group | Under 12 and their families |
| Wednesday | 9:30 to 11:00 | Little Shipmates Play and Praise** |
*We offer local Childminders the opportunity for sole use of our Soft Play and Bouncy Castle for this session.
**For Little Shipmates Play and Praise, please check availability and book. Enquire or get in touch on Facebook.
View Shipmates events in our Calendar
Upcoming Events
Children ministry team
The Ministry is led by Andrea Grainger, Children and Families Pastor. She is supported by a team of volunteers who lead Sunday Morning sessions and support the weekday groups. Andrea is currently training as a Scripture Union Faith Guide.
Safeguarding
- Parents are responsible for supervising their children, both during Sunday Services and weekday groups.
- If your child will be attending groups on a Sunday, please sign them up when you arrive.
- They will be accompanied to their group at the appropriate time.
- You will need to collect them and sign them out at the end of the service.
- If your child needs to leave during a service or group, please accompany them.
- Children are not allowed in the kitchen or office areas of the church.
- All Children’s Ministry Volunteers are DBS checked and trained in Safeguarding. Your safety is our priority.
- If you have any concerns, please email Andrea Grainger, Children and Families Pastor, or John Bazley, our Safeguarding Officer.