Here for Families
At Grace, we love families, and we want to support and encourage them to thrive! Our clubs and groups help children to build friendships, have fun, and hear about Jesus for themselves. On a Sunday, our meetings are intentionally designed to be accessible for the whole family, learning together. And we provide families with access to great materials, seminars, courses and resources.
For 0-4s + parent
Thursdays 10 - 11.30am
The Addison Centre
STARTS BACK 18 SEP
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Our playgroup for families, where children can enjoy a big hall full of toys, craft, storytime from the Bible, snack, songs and bubbles. Babies can enjoy soft mats and toys in the baby corner. Parents will also receive a warm welcome and refreshments.
Cost: £2/week; (£1/additional sibling). Or pay for a whole term upfront: £20 (£10/sibling).
Contactless available.Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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Leaders:
Anna EvansMore Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
For up to Year 1 + Dad /Grandad
First Saturday of the month 9.30 - 11am
Soft Play at John Bunyan Sports & Fitness
STARTS BACK 6 SEP
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Spend a Saturday morning with your kids (give mum the morning off!). Enjoy coffee and cake and hang out with other Dads.
Cost: £2/week; (£1/additional sibling). Contactless available.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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September 6th
October 4th
November 1st
December 6th
2026
January 10th
February 7th
March 7th
May 9th
June 6th
July 4th
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Leaders:
Graham AlbansMore Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
Years 1-4
Wednesdays 6 - 7pm
The Addison Centre
STARTS BACK 17 SEP
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A full evening of fun: Crazy challenges, games galore, scrumptious snacks, fab craft, dramatic Bible story-telling and oddles of other awesome activities.
Cost: £2/week; or pay for a whole term upfront: £20. Contactless available.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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Leaders:
Andy & Caroline PaxonMore Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
Years 5-8
Fridays 7 - 8.15pm
Kempston Centenary Hall
STARTS BACK 19 SEP
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Our programme includes firm favourites like: a chip crawl, glow-in-the dark night, nerf battles, giant cluedo, wide games, paint wars & pizza, with massive amounts of sport, games & crafts too. Each week will also include some tasty tuck and a chance to ask big questions as we dig into the Bible.
Cost: £2/week; or pay for a whole term upfront: £20. Contactless available.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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TBC
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Leaders: Tim & Sian Eaves
More Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
Years 9-13
Events throughout the year
NEXT EVENT 28 SEP
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Leaders: Vicky Atkinson
More Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
Invite a friend!
Download & Share an invite…
Tweens
Bible Study
Years 6-8
Two Mondays a month
6.30 - 7.30pm
At leaders’ home (Kempston)
STARTS BACK 15 SEP
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Enjoy the dreamy combo of food, games & explore more of what the Bible has to say.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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Leaders: Dave & Emma Holloway
More Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
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25th September
29th September
13th October
10th November
24th November
Havoc
Small Groups
Years 9 - 13
Mondays 7 - 8.15pm
At leaders’ homes (Kempston)
STARTS BACK 18 SEP
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A midweek chance to dig a bit deeper into the Bible, as well as hanging out with others in homes of friends.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
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Leader: Karen Jones
More Information: Contact fcy@graceinthecommunity.com
Important Information
Relating to all of our groups and clubs
Costs
At Grace, we never want costs to prevent people attending our groups or events. If finances are a burden, please feel able to speak to your group leader or contact us if we can help with the costs.
Additionally you may want to see if any of our financial support help is relevant to you.
Parental Consent
Please complete a form for any NEW child attending our groups. This is important for safety, safeguarding, proper care and communication.
NB Any updates that need to be made to the details of an existing child, please do so by replying to the September email regarding updates. Alternatively, contact us.
Safeguarding
All of the volunteers and staff involved in our children’s groups are DBS checked and have regular safeguarding training.
For more information, or to raise a concern: Go to our Safeguarding page
Family Life
Partnering with you
We put on, and flag-up helpful seminars, courses and resources to help parents be even better parents! You’ll find loads of resources - from podcasts, books, videos and articles to help support you and your family, whatever age your children are, and whether things are going ‘to plan’ or not…
Sunday Services for families
At Grace every Sunday is a Family Service
We value the importance of worshipping together as a family -intergenerationally, therefore do be reassured we don’t mind the noise & movement that come with young families!
The services are intentionally accessible for the whole family, including a Bitesize slot and a follow-along activity sheets for young children. There is also a retreat space in the foyer if little ones are getting too fractious for your liking. This is set up with a few toys for them, and a livestream screen for you to continue following the service.
You may want to listen to our regular songs together at home so that they are more familiar.
Additionally, we do offer two groups for the younger children to access during both morning services:
For 0-3s
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A ‘drop off’ creche facility that allowing you to leave your child and return to hear the sermon yourself. During this time (approx 40 mins) they will be cared for, have time to play, do some simple drawing /craft, have a snack, Bible story time and songs and start to form friendships.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
For 3 year olds - Year 1
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Children can be ‘dropped off’, and you can return to the church service to hear the sermon yourself. During this time (approx 40 mins) they will have fun learning about Jesus with an engaging Bible story, linking craft, songs and time to play and get to know others in church their own age.
Essential: Please ensure you complete the Parental Consent form 2024-25
Special Events
Especially for Families, Children & Youth
Throughout the year we have events to look out for. In a typical year, we have Easter Weekend Special, End of Year Family Special for our children’s groups, Big Sunday Picnics /Lunches, family-friendly Remembrance Service and a lively Kids Carol Service at Christmas.
Coming up…
Join us for a big buffet picnic and hang out with other families!
ONCE A MONTH
1 - 2.30pm, Food served in the Addison Centre. Anyone can come along, bring food if you can, but don’t worry if you can’t! Hope to see you there! MORE INFO (INCLUDING DATES AND FOOD PREPARATION GUIDANCE)
“If there are ways we can support your family at the moment, or you would just like to know more about our various groups, get in touch.”
Hazel Davies - Families, Children & Youth Co-ordinator