Children at St Michael Smarden and All Saints Biddenden

Children are welcome to all our services.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

At St Michael Smarden, Sunday school is offered on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9:30am in church. It is run separately from the main morning service and aimed at primary-school-age children. At Sunday school children learn about the Bible through stories, games and craft activities.

At All Saints Biddenden, Sunday school is organised on the 1st and the 3rd Sunday's of the month to co-incide with the main 9:30am Parish Communion service. Children and helpers meet in church at 9:30am, join in with the first hymn and then walk across the road to John Mayne Primary School, returning in time for Communion. At Sunday school children learn about the Bible through stories, games and craft activities and is aimed at primary-school age children.

HOLIDAY CLUBS

During KCC school holidays there are children's workshops and holiday clubs at both churches. Details of the next one will be posted here.

FRIDAY CLUB

Friday Club is an after-school club for pupils of John Mayne School Biddenden that is open to all primary-school-age children, teaching about the Bible through stories, games and craft activities.

John Mayne children gather at the end of the school day in the school's ICT suite and accompanied to All Saints Church by club leaders; other children can meet them at the school or at the church at 3:30pm. Parents and carers pick their children up at 4:30pm from All Saints Church. For registration and details please contact Alex Bienfait.

JUNIOR CHOIR

The choir welcomes children and young people from both villages from age 8 upwards. The choir follows the Royal School of Church Music's music and voice training programme and learns a wide variety of Christian hymns, songs and chants, in order to lead singing in church.

Junior Choir practises every Thursday from 6.30 till 7.30pm with the venue alternating between the two churches (details on the diary page, and joins the senior choir at the main morning church services. More details from the choirmistress Sophie Williams on 01580 291669.

BELLRINGING

Smarden Church and Biddenden Church welcome young people from age 11 to take part in the ringing of bells. Practice is on Wednesdays (Smarden) or Tuesdays (Biddenden) from 7.45 till 9.30pm, though young people may leave at 9pm. As ringers progress they can take part in the ringing for the main morning services and for occasional services such as weddings.

Contact Tim Munt on 01622 891724 for Smarden, and Sally Albon on 01580 292657 for Biddenden.

BAPTISM

The rector Alex Bienfait will be delighted to discuss the baptism of children. See Baptisms page for more details.

LITTLE ANGELS AND SAINTS

For all pre-schoolers and their parents or carers, offering a mix of crafts, songs and Bible stories tailored to the very young. Little Angels meet at St Michael the Archangel, Smarden, and Little Saints meet at All Saints Biddenden.

Next Little Angels: Wednesday 17th June at 2pm. Next Little Saints: Wednesday 1st July at 2pm.

For more details contact Alex Bienfait on 01580 291454 or by email or Marian Randall on 01580 291684.

CHILD PROTECTION

Biddenden Church and Smarden Church take the protection and supervision of children very seriously. In accordance with general Church of England policy, all adults who have regular contact with children have CRB clearance.