'My prayer is that Christian Churches will be shaped by a renewed commitment to children, openness to children, and pledge to care and speak out for children as a clear expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Martyn Atkins, President of the Methodist Conference 2007
Our purpose at Chelsea Methodist Church is to help families work to their strengths, to overcome their challenges and to become the parents they strive to be, with children who flourish. In seeking to achieve this aim we provide a programme of activities designed to incorporate all ages, including, of course, parents and carers.
Daniella Fetuga-Joensuu is our full-time staff member who develops and oversees children and youth work, ably supported by the Young Church Committee (YCC) and a group of trained and dedicated volunteers as well as some paid sessional workers.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Val Campbell.
The following activities are provided:
The Friday Club - meets on Fridays from
6.30 -8.30pm and is for children aged 7 and upwards. Activities include homework club, crafts, sports and share in a cooked meal together. We also include an act of worship, which is not obligatory.
The Girls' Brigade - part of the Girls' Brigade (GB), a Christian international charity working with girls and young women a uniformed group which meets Thursdays from 6.15
The Jigsaw Club - working in partnership with West London Action for Children, this activity is aimed at parents and carers with pre-school children of 5 years and under.
There is a range of workshops on a variety of parenting related themes and the children play in a safe, well provided environment. Lunch is provided.
The Young Church and Sunday School meet on Sundays at 11am. Members play an important role within the life of the church with involvement at all levels from stewarding to taking part in worship. Creche facilities are provided for babies and younger children.