Children

Please feel free to move about and look after your child during worship as is most helpful to you. Changing facilities and toilets can be found in the Community Centre next door to the church. The Stewards are always available to offer help and assistance. There is a soft-play area at the back of the church for younger children. Most Sundays there is a Children’s Mass at 11.30am, with a monthly Family Mass (usually last Sunday) at 10am that brings the whole church together. Throughout the year there are many special services and events for children – see our links at the top of the page and our Parish Calendar.

In addition, each term we hold two Sunday Club Workshops when children aged 4-10 stay on after the Children’s Mass for lunch, teaching, and activities in order to form them in the Christian faith in a way that is accessible and fun. We also hold occasion special events for teenagers and each year we invite children and young people aged 11+ to prepare for Confirmation. For more information see the Confirmation page.

We also launched Barnes Children’s Choir in 2023 for children aged 6-13. It is led by our Director of Music, Owen Elsley, who has extensive experience working with children and running children’s choirs, both in his home country of Australia and in his previous role as director of children’s choir at St Barnabas, Dulwich. He is assisted by experienced teacher and musician Frederick Appleby. The choir rehearses on Thursday’s from 4.30-5.15pm in church and learns a range of music from traditional to modern, serious to fun, spiritual to secular. No experience or musical skills required and no audition – only enthusiasm needed! Safeguarding procedures are in place. Sessions are £5 each with free places available (speak to Owen), as we do not want anyone to be prevented from taking part. Come and join in the joy of singing and the power of music! To sign up, express an interest or for more information, please email Owen.