Children’s ministry at St Simon’s Southsea

Our Shipmates groups welcome children and families to Sunday services, weekday activities and special events.

St Simon’s Shipmates logo depicting a bucket and spade and a sand ‘castle’ in the form of St Simon’s church, on a beach, with a Viking ship on the horizon of the sea in the background. Flocks of geese are flying across a blue sky with clouds.

In this page

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

SundayFromService
1st9:30 amShipmates Family Service
2nd10:30 amMorning Praise Service with Shipmates Group*
3rd10:30 amAll Age Service
4th10:30 amMorning Praise Service with Shipmates Group*

*Our Shipmates Group is for 3 to 11 year olds and runs during the 10:30 service. Although we don’t currently have an under threes group we hope to restart one soon. There is a Children’s Area for families with under threes at the side of the church and the service is also streamed live in the creche which parents are welcome to use.

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.

WeekdayTimesGroupAges
Monday during term time10:00 to 11:30Little Shipmates Stay and Play: drop inUnder 5
Tuesday11:00 to 1:00Shipmates Childminders Group
Tuesday9:30 to 11:00, or 1:00 to 2.30Little Shipmates Play and Praise**
Tuesday3:30 to 5:30Shipmates Café After School Group: drop inUnder 12 and their families

*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

Andrea Grainger waving at the camera during one of her online Shipmates videos on YouTube and Facebook.

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.