Children and Families
Update: Unfortunately since Covid we have been unable to offer special “All Age” services and children’s activities in the Hall, but hope to reinstate these in the future. Of course children are always welcome to attend our services in chapel or online!
Godalming Unitarians seek to be a community of all ages, where families are welcomed at services.
On 2nd Sundays of the month (excluding August) the children join the adults for the first part of the service in the chapel, which includes a story – before leaving for their own structured activities in the hall – led by DBS checked volunteers.
On 4th Sundays of the month – during February, April, June, September and November there is an All Age Service in the chapel, suitable for all the family. These are sometimes followed by shared lunches.
On other 4th Sundays (except August and December) there is a story that children can enjoy, and families are welcome to sit in the gallery for the rest of the service, where colouring, books and toys are provided.
There may occasionally be other special services suitable for families (i.e. Café Church or Christmas Carol service) These are highlighted in the calendar on the chapel website.
Other Sunday Services
1st and 3rd Sundays sometimes include a story, although with a range of visiting preachers we cannot guarantee this. Parents are welcome to sit in the gallery with their children, on the understanding these services are more geared towards adults.
On 5th Sundays (and occasionally at other times) we have Alternative services with meditation, longer periods of silence, during which we ask parents to be especially mindful of noise levels.
If parents are concerned that their child is getting restless or noisy, there is some scope to use the rooms behind the Gallery, or you can go to the hall where more toys are available (a key is normally kept in the chapel lobby – please ask!)
Please note: Children under 4 (and older children with disabilities) in the Hall activities, and under 12 in the Gallery, need to be accompanied by a parent/ responsible adult.
Other activities
Children from the age of 7 upwards have the opportunity to take part in wider Unitarian Children and Youth events such as Unikids (based in the South East), Uniteenz (for teens) and Junior, Inter and Senior Weekends at The Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. Information about the Unitarian Youth Programme can be found on the UK Unitarian website