Children, Youth & Families
Thank you so much for joining with us at Aberystwyth once again; we’re so very glad you have come, especially if this is your first time here.
The children are very welcome to attend the conference meetings with you. If you want to stay with your children and allow them to roam, The Round Studio is for you, with a live audio and video feed. There will be a couple of quiet toys available should you need them.
Here at the Aberystwyth Conference, we believe that each child is made in the image of God and are valued members of our community. We want to work hard at welcoming all children, and to work with parents to alleviate fears and make sure the right support is in place for all visitors.
We’d like to take the time to introduce some of the people who’ll be involved in the family & children’s ministry to you, and each one would be glad of your prayerful support as we serve the living God together (information below).
James and Martha Sercombe are responsible for the whole Family & Children’s Ministry during Aberystwyth week.
To join a group, your child will need an event pass and a completed consent form. The form can be found at www.emw.org.uk/parents and should be completed before the conference if possible. Please collect your child each day immediately after the Bible Reading finishes.
Tiny Tots
(6 months to 4 years)
Tuesday to Friday at 10:15AM in the Dance Studio.
Joanna Evans is an experienced teacher who leads the Tiny Tots. She leads the Sunday School at Revive Church, Newbridge. Her team of happy helpers are looking forward to welcoming your little ones, and they’ll have lots of fun playing and learning simple Bible truths through stories and songs.
Mini Marvels
(4 to 7 years)
Tuesday to Friday at 10:15AM in Medrus
We’re excited to welcome you to Mini Marvels this year! Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been before, there’ll be loads of friends to make, fun to be had, prizes to win and time spent learning from God’s word together! Mini Marvels will be lead by Beth Petersen and a brilliant team of helpers.
Holiday Heroes
(7 to 11 years)
Tuesday to Friday at 10:15AM in Medrus
Holiday Heroes returns for another year with a new team and we are so looking forward to seeing you there! Our sessions will be full of fun, challenges, games, and most importantly diving into the Bible as we look at similar themes to the main morning meetings. Holiday Heroes will be led by Hannah Mitchell and a fantastic team.
JAber
(11 to 15 years)
Tuesday to Friday at 10:15AM in Medrus
Alun Johnson is the ministry lead at JAber this year. The team will challenge you to get stuck into God’s Word and find out what it really means to live for Him. This will be done through awesome Bible teaching, small group discussions and thrilling challenges. Alun is co-pastor of Hope Church @ Bethel & Calvary, Cefn Hengoed & Penybryn.
If you prefer, children are welcome to attend the conference meetings with you, and if you want space for younger children to roam then the overflow (in the Round Studio) has a video relay for all the meetings in the Great Hall. Live audio and video from all the meetings in the Great Hall will also be streamed at www.emw.org.uk/aberlive (WiFi is free for guests in University accommodation).
If any group needs to contact a parent during the Bible Reading they will do this via the main screen in the Great Hall so please sit where you can clearly see the screen.
Additional Needs Ministry Lead
Martha Sercombe is the Additional Needs Lead. She currently works as a Specialist Health Visitor and Wales' Clinical Lead for Perinatal Mental Health.
Safeguarding
If you do have any questions, do approach the leaders in your children’s ministry team in the first instance.
If you have any questions regarding safeguarding, your Safeguarding officers during this week are: James Allan and Martha Sercombe
The staff member responsible for Safeguarding is Steffan Job and can be contacted through via the main desk.
For further information about safeguarding and the EMW please see our website - https://www.emw.org.uk/about/safeguarding/
What else is happening?
You’d be very welcome to join with us at any of these activities, but there is no expectation that you will. This week together is a rare treat, and with time so precious, while some choose to make friends and attend, others perhaps will drive to a sandy beach or go for a walk, swim, or even perish the thought, go shopping. Do what you want to! We at Aber are hoping and praying you go home refreshed by the Word.
Sunday:
The Conference Family Service. 10:30AM at The Great Hall.
Monday:
The Family Picnic. 12:00PM-2:30 at Castle Grounds (behind St.Michael’s Church) on the prom. - On Monday, families are invited to meet for a picnic in the Castle Gardens (next to the car park and children’s playground near St Mike’s). This will be a great opportunity to meet others including some of the leaders from the morning children’s clubs.
Tuesday:
After hours for young people (8:30pm at Y Sgubor)
Wednesday:
Family Event. 2:00pm An event for all the family! Come along to the grassy area behind the Great Hall. If it’s raining, we’ll meet in Medrus. Enjoy a time of fun, games and fellowship for all the family.
After hours for young people (8:30pm at Y Sgubor)
Thursday:
After hours for young people (8:30pm at Y Sgubor)
Friday:
Family & Children’s Thanksgiving Service. 9AM at The Great Hall. - Find out what your children have been up to in the morning meetings.