This January Wotton-under-Edge church gave around 450 local junior school children an experience of the Epiphany. Members of the Wotton churches presented the story of the Magi by inviting the children to go on a journey following the Magi with a star carrier as their guide. The journey began in the observatory and moved on to the desert where the children were visited by a very angry Herod; lit candles of memory or repentance; wrote prayers of thanksgiving and sang songs.

The journey concluded in Bethlehem where Joseph welcomed everyone who came to see Jesus, who was played by a lively one year old clapping his hands in all the right places. After presenting their prayers, the children were urged by an angel not to go back the same way (the teachers did not relish a detour back to school). 

Godfrey Marsland said: "New stunning costumes were made for the event as we needed three sets of identically dressed magi accompanied by three haughty looking camels.  The whole programme was written and devised by Sue Marsland from Wotton United Church and Sue Plant from St Mary's Parish Church."

Youngsters learned a little more about what it means when grown-ups get married when they took part in a special event held at Ponteland First School in Newcastle. A pretend “wedding” took place between Carla and Jack, Year 1 pupils at the school, who promised friendship to each other in front of their friends.

Hannah Middleton, a family worker at Ponteland Methodist church, said: "We enabled the children to understand this Christian celebration. The bride and groom exchanged friendship bracelets and promised friendship to each other."

Children took the parts of parents of both the bride and groom, best man, four bridesmaids, three page boys, and two grooms. Carla and Jack's beautifully attired classmates threw confetti. Adult guests were seated in the balcony and the wedding reception included a five tier cake. A chauffeur driven car, flowers and photographs were provided by Ponteland Methodist church. 

Christmas Day morning saw more than 20 people worshipping God at St Thomas' Road Methodist Church in Derby while they had their breakfast. Church members wanted to offer something which would be acceptable to all ages, but particularly to those who might be on their own on Christmas Day. 

Jean Parton said: "Being a small and mostly older congregation, it had to be an occasion not requiring too much organisation. Our Minister, Revd Lindsay Kemp, hit on the idea of a breakfast. The Church sanctuary was transformed into a very stylish festive café offering a continental breakfast.  

"Between munching croissants and drinking coffee, we sang carols, heard the Christmas story and worshipped God in an informal but meaningful, joyous way. The occasion was deemed to be a success and may be the forerunner of more café-style worship in the future."     

“Ignition” is the vision for the future of Anlaby Park Methodist Church which is situated to the West of Hull on Anlaby Common. The vision has taken an exciting step forward recently with the granting of planning consent from East Riding Council for the first phase of an ambitious redevelopment of the church’s premises. Much more than a building scheme, Ignition is about developing the church’s already active programme to further serve the community around it.

Some time ago the church began to realise its intentions were outstripping the capacity of its ageing suite of premises. A community survey indicated plenty of needs in the community but no natural community centre from which services could be coordinated. From these beginnings the “Ignition” vision was born and several teams of church members began to work up plans to revamp the church’s range of activities, services and the premises from which they are offered.

Ignition executive team member Pete Richardson said: “Since the turn of the last century our church has had a place in and a heart to serve the community around it. To be part of the current vision is very exciting.”