During October half term, families across the Cleeve Benefice were offered a free holiday club and a different kind of ‘treat’ on Halloween night – one that brought joy rather than fear. Lucy Betts, Children and Families Minister, and Lucy Barbour, Team Curate, share some highlights from the week:

Treasure Seekers holiday club at St Michaels

Lucy Betts says, “During this half term I was really keen to run a holiday club session that had the theme of being precious to God. So we put together some engaging games, crafts, singing and a bit of silliness, which hopefully created a memorable experience for all the children involved.

The Bible story of The Lost Coin (in Luke, chapter 15, verses 8-10) was a wonderful way to illustrate the message of being precious. With around 25 children attending, it was a lively and joyful atmosphere. The goody bags at the end included a small book about the Good News, which sent everyone home with a smile. It was a great way to celebrate and reinforce the theme of being valued and loved by God.

“Also, in the evening, we had the chance to chat with some parents and children as they walked past the church building, offering them refreshments and goody bags.

“I wanted to say a big thank you to all the leaders who made this activity possible – your hard work and dedication truly make a difference!”

Sharing the Good News in Gotherington

The Revd Lucy Barbour says, “On 31^st October, Halloween night, we took out a message of hope and peace to the streets of Gotherington! Our team had fun engaging with the local community who were very welcoming of us.

“We set up interactive games that tackled common fears, reminding the children about God's power to comfort and protect. We also handed out 80 goodie bags filled with treats, an activity book and Bible verses.

“The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Grown ups were grateful for the hot drinks and enjoyed chatting with our team. Children of all ages, even the teenagers, were excited to participate in the games and activities. Most children confidently proclaimed that they weren't afraid of anything, but when we started discussing real-life fears like tests and exams, it opened up great conversations about God's peace and how it can guide us through challenging times.

“We're so thankful for the opportunity to connect with the Gotherington community and share the love of Christ on our doorstep. 

“Thank you to all those who helped including our amazing Church Watch Team helping children on our Duck Trail.”