Children & Youth

Midweek 0-4s

Every Tuesday in Charminster, we run T@SM (Tuesdays at St Marys), which is a morning and afternoon Cafe for our whole community. The morning sessions are in Church from 9-12am, with the play corner open and particularly popular with toddlers and under 4s. From 3-4pm in the afternoons, we relocate to Charminster Community Centre Hall, where there are activities for children of all ages, and the same delicious cakes and treats!

Ages 5-10

Children at our local First School interact with our church and their faith five days a week, through their Collective Worship in school, after school clubs run by our Children and Families worker, Tuesday@StMarys school-run café, and weekend events. Children usually start to receive their first communion in this age group, and prepare for confirmation if they feel ready to do so. We welcome children from aged 5 to start to serve in church, from occasional roles, like carrying the baby Jesus into church at the start of our Christmas celebrations, to more vocal roles, such as leading the prayers, and reading from the front.

Midweek Ages 9-18

There are three youth groups in our Parish, for children in School years 4 upward, they serve children and young people in school years 4-6, 6/7-9, and 10-13 respectively. All of our activities as a church are fully inclusive. We do not tolerate discrimination on any grounds, including gender, sexuality, race, or disability. All of our Youth Groups provide food.

Sundays - All Age Services

Children are welcome at all of our services. Some of our services are specifically designed to enable families to deepen their faith together in new ways, and in some of our services, which are often more traditional, children are given roles in leadership and taught new skills. 

Holiday Clubs

Every Easter and Summer, our Children and Families Worker and team of volunteers run Holilday Craft Days, cookery camps and summer activities for children aged 6+. Teenagers are welcome to come and help and gain some helpful work experience. All of our holiday activities require pre-booking.

Last year our activities included:

In 2024 we are running two Eastertide Craft days, in Charminster and Frampton, and our usual Summer Cookery Course. Priority places are given to those supported by Pupil Premium at school.

School Visits

Our relationship with St Mary's CE VC First School is outstanding, and we frequently welcome children into church on class visits. Each class usually visits church every half term, for a themed visit around a season or activity. In 2023 and 2024, these visits have so far covered:


During specific seasons, we introduce year groups to different seasons in the Christian year with the 'Explore' series. This includes: Explore Harvest, Explore Advent, Explore Christmas, Explore Easter and Explore Pentecost.

Seasonal Services

Seasons give a huge amount of space for creativity in worship, and children are at the heart of most of our seasonal celebrations. We are always overjoyed to welcome children's creative suggestions and leadership. All of our seasonal services have special roles or activity to include all ages in worship, including adults and children together. 

Coming up, we have Palm Sunday, with opportunities for children to serve, lead our procession, read and pray, Easter Sunday, with opportunities for children to lead part of our service, and then escape for an Easter Egg Hunt during the sermon, and Messy Ascension in April.