Children / Youth

Our work with children and young people is one of our foremost priorities at Llwynderw, and is an area in which we are continually developing and expanding. Our Sunday School, more affectionately known as 'Acorns' (after the English translation of our Parish's name), meets at Holy Cross at the same time as the 9.30am Sung Eucharist. We have, at the moment, approximately 30 regular attenders, aged from 3 to 15, and they are split into two groups (up to 9; 10 and over) in order to ensure that they get the best possible experience. Their sessions last about 45 minutes, and include a mixture of traditional teaching, drawing and painting (particularly for the little ones), and Godly Play. At the time of Communion, the children join the adults in the main Church to receive a Blessing or Communion, and to show off the wonderful things that they have made or been doing throughout the morning. We are fortunate to have six regular Acorn Leaders who are supported by up to ten members of the Congregation as and when required.

We believe that it is very important that children and young people should be able to get involved in practical ways in the life of our Parish and its Worship. At Holy Cross, youngsters are encouraged if they wish to act as Servers (assistants to the Priest at the Altar) and readers, both at the 9.30am Sung Eucharist on Sundays and at various other - often youth-focussed - services that are held throughout the year. The current Sacristan of Holy Cross is a teenager, and does a fantastic job of preparing the Sanctuary for Sunday morning worship. Fr Danny is happy to discuss Confirmation for both children and adults who have been Baptised, although all are welcome to receive the Eucharist at Llwynderw if they wish.

Godly Play is an imaginative approach to religious education, developed by Jerome Berryman and based upon the Montessori method of teaching. In a Godly Play session, a leader retells a Bible story and illustrates it with high-quality, often hand-crafted, physical artefacts. At the end, children are invited to 'wonder' about (marvel at and question) what they have heard and seen, and to express their understanding of it, whatever that may be, through play. This can involve creating pictures or models, or using the artefacts themselves. Llwynderw has used Godly Play as a principal part of its youth teaching since 2003 and has been pioneering in spreading its development within the Diocese. Swansea & Brecon's first Godly Play 'sacred space' was dedicated by the Archdeacon of Gower, Robert Williams, at Holy Cross on Advent Sunday, 2006.

Although primarily established for the benefit of children, aged 2 to 18, Godly Play can also be used successfully for adult groups.

Although the majority of the work with children and young people that is done in Llwynderw is based within one of our two churches, a variety of social and charity events feature regularly in our Parish diary. These include ice skating, cycling, beach barbecues, bowling, film nights, and eating. Lots of eating! Suggestions for new potential socials are always welcome.