Families and Children

We love being a Church made up of people from 0-100 and all generations and intergeneration connection are an important part of our community. So whatever shape your family takes, you’re welcome here with us.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring are a reward from him." Psalm 127 vs 3.

Our children and youth are the future of the Church and that’s only going to work if they feel at home with us now. Families are a key part of the present! So we’re working hard to grow a supportive network of families; loved, encouraged, prayed-for as part of Portswood Church.

The Children & Families Ministry is committed to serving and loving the children and families in Portswood Church and beyond, so that they may encounter God and experience his love.

Children (also called Gems, Pebbles, Boulders and Rockies)

Children are always welcome in our services, and we don't mind a bit of noise! Our weekly Sunday mornings have a variety of formats, including different types of provision of the children and families.

On the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month during our more traditional services, there are group sessions run for the children, which usually happen for just over half of the service. Babies, pre-schoolers and children in reception class stay together, whilst children in school years 1 to 5/6 go together upstairs.
On the second Sunday of the month, there is either an all-age service, or the children go to Kids Encounter, which is a time of lots of singing, dancing, and praying
On the fourth Sunday of the month in our Engage service, when the children stay in the main hall and the adults go out to groups!

Youth (also called Lava)

Our youth meet each Wednesday evening either at the church building or in a local park (during the warmer months) to catch up, play games, do some Bible study and sometimes bake! Join us for friendship, fun and a chance to build relationships with God and with each other. We also have a Youth sleepover twice a year which is always lots of fun!

Youth in school years 6, 7 & 8 also have a group to go to during the Sunday service twice a month in the morning whilst the older youth in school years 9-13 gather every other Sunday evening at the church for bible study and chat.

Families

Portswood Pod - During term-time Portswood Pod (our babies & toddler group) is on a Tuesday morning from 10.00am until 11.20am. More information about our Toddler group

Rooted

Throughout the year we have a variety of different events which take place for our families under the banner of 'Rooted' from lunches, beach trips, to walks in local woods.

Messy Church - Look out for details of Messy Churches and family fun afternoons which happen several times a year. They are a great opportunity for families to get together and gain support from each other as well as having lots of fun. More information about Messy Church

Parenting Course - Here at Portswood Church we realise that children don’t arrive with a manual, so we are working on giving parents support as they work their way through bringing up their children. As well as all the informal support-networks including a very active parents whatsapp group, we periodically run a five-week Parenting Course. For more information read what one of our parents thought about the course here. We very much believe that it takes a community to raise a child and try our best to support each other in doing this starting from the first steps by providing meals on wheels for a couple of weeks for new mums & dads.

Read about POD, our toddler group

Read about Messy Church

Note: All our work with children is covered by our child protection policy. Portswood Church is a member of thirtyone:eight (previously known as CCPAS) and all our volunteers are DBS checked as required.