Activities
Children’s Ministry
POP UP KIDS CHURCH AT ST GEORGE’S
Kid’s Church is offered at each Sunday service, including Easter and Christmas, and continues during school holidays. The program offered consists of a bible-based story time followed by a craft activity appropriate for preschool and primary aged children. The vicar always has a children’s address at Easter and Christmas as part of the regular service. Services at St George’s are ‘all-aged’ focused.
Set-up is usually able to be done quite quickly if children arrive at church unexpectedly. Parents/grandparents are encouraged to accompany children during the session. For very young children play is offered instead of a structured session. A parent or grandparent stays present with children under pre-school age. Children always sit with their family until the gospel reading is completed, then leave the main church for Kid’s Church.
The sessions are usually conducted in a classroom at the rear of the church. The room is separate to the church, entered from the church through large glass sliding doors, so the children and leaders are visible throughout the service. Families are encouraged to collect their children to attend the Eucharist together, and light a prayer candle as they return to finish their craft activity in the classroom until the service concludes.
Our parishioners are very welcoming towards children attending St George’s and don’t mind noise and activity!
Helen Stephens co-ordinates the program, assisted by Jane Clark. Other parishioners who have completed the child safety training with appropriate clearances can assist as needed. All Victorian Child Safe Standards are adhered to by the parish of St George’s and its members, including completion of required training and clearances, as required by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne overseen by Kooyoora Ltd. (Office of professional Standards for the diocese of Melbourne)
Helen is a retired Maternal and Child Health Nurse and a mother and grandmother. Jane has a background in horticulture, amongst other things, and is also a mother and grandmother!
Helen can be contacted on mobile 0427400663 for more information.
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has a Safe Ministry Toolbox which includes further detailed information relating to Children’s Ministry, including policies and procedures via this Link:
Annual Parish Retreat:
Each year a five-day residential silent retreat is held, generally in Queenscliffe. Accommodation is very comfortable each room having its own en-suite. All meals are catered for. Retreatants meet for daily prayer and input is given in a group setting by the Retreat Leader. At other times, retreatants remain in silence, which enables listening to the still small voice within.
Participants may sit and read, walk the Labyrinth, go for walks, bring craft to do, or simply sit looking at the beauty around them.
Quiet Days:
These are held in our beautiful church and surrounds, offering the time and space to stop and be more deeply aware of God in our lives.
Social Justice:
- Support of local and Anglican agencies to counter the impacts of poverty, homelessness, and exclusion is strong.
- Food support for refugees and the local homeless is a weekly and much needed activity.
- Retiring collections are held approximately monthly, along with raising awareness in the parish of these issues of justice.
Hospitality:
- We have great facilities for Weddings, Baptisms, Funerals, and social gatherings.
- Men of the parish meet for breakfast on a quarterly basis to deepen relationships through sharing food and laughter.
- We offer car parking, books for sale, plants for sale and bric-a-brac on days when the Red Hill Market is held.
- We support local groups as we are able: the local CFAs, the Red Hill Community Association, the Mornington Youth and Citizen’s Band, local Landcare groups, and the priests make themselves available for people of the district wish to find a caring listening ear in times of trouble.
Baptisms
Baptism marks the formal beginning of a person’s Spiritual journey, and membership of the worldwide Christian church, locally within the parish community. It takes place as part of the 9.30am Sunday service. Whatever age the candidate, it is a wonderful celebration! The priest will spend time with the candidate, or the parents/guardians of a baby or child to prepare for this special occasion. There is no charge for baptism since it is the initiation ceremony of the church, although many people offer a donation.
If you do not wish to make vows on behalf of your baby, you may choose to have a Service of Thanksgiving for your child, another beautiful service.
Weddings
St George’s is a beautiful setting in which to make your marriage vows before God and your loved ones. The church, of locally hewn timber, has views from its windows, and holds about 120 people in the main body of the church, Covid permitting. There is room for more in the side chapel and the space at the rear.
The fee for weddings begins at $1000 which includes use of the church as well as the priest’s time in preparation of the couple, preparation for the service, the rehearsal, and the service itself.
Conveniently adjacent to the church, are two large rooms, both well appointed. These can become one large space which is ideal for use as a reception space. It has a recently rebuilt kitchen. All parts of the building are heated or cooled for your comfort.
Funerals
It is usually a difficult time following a loved one’s death, with unfamiliar duties to perform. A funeral plays an important role in the grieving process, and also in giving thanks for a person’s life, marking their passing and acknowledging who they were. The priest will meet with family members to plan the service together. In the same building as the church are reception spaces which are convenient and comfortable for refreshments following a funeral.
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