A story from Calthwaite

This is the local story that made it into Rural Children, Rural Church.

Sunday was not the right day to run a children's club for 5-11-year-olds, so the Rainbow Club has been moved to the Saturday afternoon before the monthly Family Communion the following day. The club frequently includes a Godly Play story, and always features a Godly Play Feast, which makes very good links with the service of Holy Communion. At the club, children are allocated tasks to undertake at the service next day. Ringing the bell is particularly popular, but they also give out books, take up the elements for the Communion, and the older ones may be asked to read a lesson. Some 15 children attend the club and a handful of families come to the Family Communion, with many more for special occasions. The confirmation class also makes use of Godly Play in its preparation.

The parish also runs an activity day in the local primary school, which attracts some 35 children during Holy Week. This sometimes includes sharing a Passover Meal. Good Friday is marked by a three-mile walk, folllowing a portable cross, along the back lanes to the largest church in the benefice for a service.

Parents have been gradually drawn into the church's activities, so that now the church is mainly run by people in their forties, although the church officers are older.