Hello all, One of the joys of my role is visiting schools and seeing young people develop. I have the privilege to visit, on a regular basis, four primary schools in the area and it is lovely to see the fun and excitement on the children's faces when I'm leading an assembly or when listening to what they have learned and have been up to. As we grow, we face change: change in ourselves and changes in the world around us. Our understanding develops, our bodies change (more aches and pains in my case!), our friends move away, and new ones fill the gap that is left. But however used to change we become, there is often a resistance to or indeed an anxiety about what the change will bring. School has change built into the system, when each year you move up a class or indeed schools at certain times, and this can be worrying for young people. I remember how worried I was! The six-week holiday before starting at junior school or high school seems a long time to worry about the new year! But this gap between the old and the new is present in every change, it is called "liminal" space or time: a threshold which needs to be crossed, where old doors are closed before a new door is opened. Liminal spaces can be uncomfortable places to be, where our place in the world in undefined and fluid, where choices are made with no definite knowledge of the outcome and we can feel "adrift" or in "limbo". The reassurance is, the more times you go through liminality, the more you become used to it and even excited about the change to come. The Christian narrative is littered with stories of liminality from the Children of Israeal "wandering" in the desert for 40 years to the death and resurrection of Jesus. I know that not everyone who reads this will have faith or trust in God, but knowledge from experience I have tells me that change is invariably good and that liminal spaces are not to be feared but to be embraced. I also believe that God is a God who redeems all things, even our anxieties. Many of our children will be "moving up" or "moving on" this summer. We can really help our young people by understanding how difficult this time can be and just being there for them. Please join me in praying that this six weeks of summer holidays will be a time of refreshment and excitement for what is to come and that any joy and peace will outweigh any fear or resistance.Every blessing, Rev Andy
Pub Church has arrived in Barton under Needwood! What if church didn't look like pews and pulpits - but more like people gathering in the local pub, sharing real conversations over a drink?That's the heart behind Pub Church, meeting monthly at The Shoulder of Mutton, on a Sunday evening at 7:00pm. It's a relaxed, open, and welcoming space were faith and life meet in honest conversation. There's no sermon and some interesting singing led by Rev Andy. Just space for discussion, questions, laughter, and stories. Whether you're a lifelong churchgoer, just dipping your toe in, or somewhere in between - you're very welcome. We talk about real things: hope, doubt, purpose, forgiveness, joy, and how faith fits into everyday life. We don't always have the answers, but we believe in creating space to ask the questions. And yes - there's tea, coffee, and soft drinks too (alongside the usual pub fare). It's informal, friendly, and full of the kind of connection we all need more of. Pub Church happens each month, starting at 7:00pm at The Shoulder of Mutton, Main Street, Barton under Needwood, DE13 8HU. Come as you are. Bring a friend. Pull up a chair. Faith doesn't belong in a building - and Pub Church is proof of that! The next dates are: Sunday 15th JuneSunday 27th JulySunday 17th August.
St James' Church is delighted to introduce Tribe@10:30. At our 10:30 Sunday service, while adults gather in the main service, our young people have something just for them - Tribe@10:30.Designed for children and young people of all ages, Tribe@10:30 offers a fun, welcoming environment where faith comes to life through storytelling, games, crafts, and conversation. It's more than just a kids' club or Sunday School - it's a place where our youngest church members can explore big ideas, ask honest questions, and grow in confidence and community. Each week, our brilliant team of volunteers creates age-appropriate sessions that are full of energy, creativity, and care. Whether your child is a curious toddler or a thoughtful teen, there's something for them to enjoy and engage with.No need to register in advance - just come along to the 10:30 service and someone will help you get your child settled into their group. You're welcome to stay if that helps (or makes you feel more at ease) or simply enjoy the main service in church. We believe children aren't just the church of tomorrow - they're an essential part of the church today. And at Tribe@10:30, they're seen, heard, and valued.
Over 40 people joined in the annual Palm Sunday procession this year, led by the Dunstall Donkeys as we processed into church singing Make Way and Hosanna. Rev Andy blessed the palms before we made our way to church, where we were joined by people who could not make the procession for a joyous service to celebrate Jesus' triumphant arrival into Jerusalem.
