Forest Gate Kids

In 1781, a local Gloucester man called Robert Raikes felt called to serve the poor children of the city. He initiated a weekend school in which these poorer children would be educated in Christian morality and Biblical principles. He had started the Sunday School movement which in only 50 years had grown to have over 1.2 million children attending - almost 25% of the UK population.

Why does this matter? Because Robert Raikes' initial children's ministries were established in the following Gloucestershire churches.

  • Badminton

  • Didmarton

  • Acton Turville

  • Woodchester

  • Stroud

  • Stonehouse

  • Nymphsfield

  • Tetbury

  • Mitcheldean

Most of these churches have either closed completely, or have ceased children's work, but we are one of the only remaining original Raikes' Sunday School Churches.

What was a congregational chapel is now the Forest Gate Youth & Community Building, and we believe that we have a legacy of children's work that is important to uphold.

Whilst the methods are certainly different, we hold the same values as Raikes - that children are able to respond to the gospel and they are part of the church now, and not just in the future.

Little Sprouts Toddler Group

Tuesdays 10am-12noon at the Youth & Community Building

Little Sprouts has been open again since Tuesday 7th September from 10am until 12pm, term time only. We have missed seeing all the families after having to close for such a long time. We will only open on Tuesdays for the time being.

As a Little sprouts team, we will assist you when you enter the building. There will be table service in place, to avoid queuing at pinch points. We will have the windows open to help with ventilation, while the weather is mild. Weather permitting we will ensure access to the garden where there will be seating and toys and equipment for the children to play on. Finally, after every session, the toys and equipment will be sanitised.

The Little Sprouts team will undertake a lateral flow test the night before we open for a session and only attend if we are negative & we are not displaying any symptoms. However, this could mean that on occasion we don't have enough of us to run a session. Please check our Facebook page for more regular updates, should this occur.

We look forward to seeing you all.

Sunday Kids Church

Sundays for a period of 20 Minutes

For Primary age children.  15-20 minutes where the Bible is looked at with creative themes and games.

Kids Workshops

At different times of the year we hold special day long Kids Workshops that look at different stories from the bible.

For a taste of what our Kids Workshops are like, check out the video from one of our previous Workshops

Upcoming events for Children and families

Got questions? Contact us.

Kathy Histed Children’s Pastor

kathyh@forestgatechurch.org

Forest Gate Youth & Community Building
New Road
Mitcheldean
Glos
GL17 0BX

Church Office: 01594 544844