A year in the life of St. Mary Magdalen, Sheet

Crèche:
Julie Slade

Crèche is run by a small group of adults who care for the under 3s during the 10am communion services, so that parents can attend those services. Anyone who would like to join us in this would be very welcome* (Contact Helen Rae).

We are planning to introduce short Bible stories, short prayers and a possible activity. We would value prayers both for the way forward and for the young ones involved.

SMUTs:
Jackie Ransom

SMUTs (St Mary's Under Tens) meet every 2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday of each month for sessions varying in length from 30 minutes to an hour, or even slightly longer if there is a morning Healing Service. The name "SMUTs" is now slightly inaccurate, as we now welcome children from the age of three, right up until they start secondary school - which is at least 11! The aim of SMUTs is, as always, to provide a secure and welcoming atmosphere in which children can come and learn about the love of Jesus through stories, songs, drama, sketches, craft and games - with the emphasis firmly on having fun! The number of children attending still fluctuates week to week but, whatever the quantity, the quality remains as high as ever!

Without doubt the most notable change over the past year has been in staffing. After more than a year of searching for a willing volunteer to take over the 'reigns', I have now been able to stand down as coordinator, although I still remain on the rota as a Session Leader. To mark the end of my 5 years 'up at the front', I was presented with a beautiful framed group photograph of the SMUTs' children, which now occupies pride of place on my sideboard!

Our grateful thanks and a warm welcome to Heidi Wilde who has taken on the role of coordinator, though in a slightly different way to how this was undertaken in the past. Many of the tasks that were undertaken by the coordinator are now looking to be shared. Heidi is taking on responsibility for photocopying and distributing the teaching material, as well as joining the teaching staff. In addition, Jenny Ballinger has equally kindly agreed to be in charge of putting together the rota. Many thanks to both ladies for stepping into the breach! Exactly how the SMUTs team will work in practice is still being worked out, but do please speak to Heidi if you would like to be involved*.

Alexander Heywood has made a welcome return to the rota, after a sabbatical following the arrival of little Andrew, and a warm and official welcome is extended to David Strutt, who is proving to be a greatly valued addition to the teaching staff. Still on the subject of staffing, one or two long-standing SMUTs Table Leaders have indicated that they will regrettably have to retire in the coming year, and therefore further new volunteers will soon be needed to fill their shoes.

So it's been a year of many changes, but an exciting time for SMUTs certainly lies ahead, with all the benefits of a new leadership and new ideas, but with Jesus firmly at the centre of the children's ministry at St. Mary's.
Praise God!