Thursday Morning Little Explorers

9.15am - 10.45am, Pathfinder Primary

We started with a small group of tiny babies, using the excellent Starting Rite resources. Now those tiny babies are proper Little Explorers, and into everything. So our group have evolved and changed to continue to support them and their families, as well as welcoming in new-borns.

Anyone caring for a pre-school child or baby is most welcome to come along, whether you have any previous experience of Christianity or not. We love to explore stories from the Bible - many of which have helped shape British culture well beyond the Church. We love Big Questions. We love honest conversation. And we really understand what it's like to be so tired that all you want is a hot cuppa while a friendly face holds your little one! And if you've not yet had time for breakfast, that's OK too: we offer croissants and fruit at 9.15am.

One of the special things that we've seen develop as we've enlarged the age range is how much the parent-parent support means. Whether that's top tips for weaning, or just an understanding look as you share what's on your heart. 

Our Team are a mixture of Ministers and parents (with children from 1 to 17!), all DBS checked appropriately for the role. Read more about Safeguarding here....

Added Extras!

Something we're exploring  Parenting for Faith online course

• Possible Timings: 8-9pm Monday evenings 
• Cost: No charge to attend, but donations welcome

/In 2023, a group from Little Explorers, together with some "graduates" and family members who can't normally make Thursday mornings,  tried out the Parenting for Faith Babies and Toddler Zoom Course. And we loved it!

But we all know parenting goes on well beyond the toddler years!

So now we're exploring running a Northstowe-special Parenting For Faith course, not just for those with Babies, but through primary and secondary ages too.

Our hope is that this group will help connect those with children across these different age ranges, as well as those with different working patterns.  

The Parenting for Faith video-based course is designed to give you confidence to share your life with God in a way that feels natural to you – and the tools to do it easily in everyday life. By watching the videos and talking about them together, we expect to learn from each other, support each other, and have fun along the way.

We are considering finding an evening (perhaps 8-9pm) on Zoom, and running for 8 weeks with a (possible two-week) break over half term. But, let us know what might work!

Email contact@northstowe.church to express interest, and let us know if that time-slot might work for you.
 

Afternoon Teas

(half termly, Sundays, 3.30-5pm in the School Hall)

Every half term, we love to bring together the WHOLE community - Little Explorers, those from Pathfinder Church, and others too. We invite people from all religious and non religious background to simply spend time together. Often, we'll serve a seasonal treat - pancakes, hot cross buns - or scones and cakes.

For many, this is simply a time to "hang out" and be. The tables have board games and colouring. The baby and toddler area is set up. And news is shared on the rolling screen.

Around the room, there will also be various activity and reflection stations. Some of these might be Prayer Stations or Exploration Stations from the recent Sunday Gathering series, or linked to an upcoming festival. Others will simply be for fun.

We always set up a "side chapel" as a quiet place where anyone can pause and reflect. And we offer a simple poetic spoken communion service as an option, while other activities continue.

One of the main features of the Afternoon Teas, however, are the workshops. Recently, we welcome Northstowe Arts to help us create a lantern for the Light Up Northstowe Lantern Parade, Elaine Atkin has taught us poetry and short story skills and Michelle patiently taught us how to make bead angels.