The Little Fishies (formerly Mothers and Toddlers) meeting started in 1992 and is held on Wednesday mornings during term time, from 9.45 to 11.45am. The aim of the meeting is to reach isolated parents on the estate with the Gospel, as well as providing a social time for them. We also encourage parents to bring their children along to Sunday Discoverers, which some have done. If they have older brothers and sisters, they are invited to Explorer Club or Church Club.
The meeting has grown steadily, from only a few parents and children in the beginning to over 40 parents as well as their children currently on the records. Various activities are arranged which the children can take part in. The main event of the morning is the Bible story and singing. The parents are encouraged to come and listen too, and of late more of them have been doing so.
Children of any age are welcome to come along, although most of the children who come at the moment are 2 to 3 years old. However, the children are free to move about anywhere in the hall, although a stair gate prevents them from wandering into the rest of the church.
9.30am Parents begin to arrive and wait in the lobby until the hall is set up.
9.45am Meeting begins.
9.45am - 10.45am Supervised craft and an activity run simultaneously. (Activities could be gluing, making, printing or painting.)
10.45am - 10.50am Singing and Bible story.
10.50am - 11.20am Free refreshments for parents and children are served.
11.20am - 11.45am Free play until the end of the morning.
On the last Wednesday of the summer term we usually have a Teddy Bears' picnic. Each parent brings food to share among the group and the drinks are provided free. The picnic is normally held in the garden of one of the group leaders, weather permitting. Activities are not arranged for the Teddy Bears' picnic, as it is a more casual event where the children play with bigger outdoor toys and generally have an enjoyable time.
During the last half of the Summer Term we have a Summer party. The mums bring food to share and we usually have a bouncy castle.
The last Wednesday of the Autumn term is our Christmas party. During the Christmas party we have games, craft and a bouncy castle. The party food is brought by the parents and shared among the group. The children take a Christian book home, as a present, and a small party bag.
When it is a child's birthday they are given a suitable Christian book on the Wednesday morning nearest to their birthday. A book is also given when a child leaves to go to school or play group. In this way, throughout their time the children obtain several children's books that explain the Gospel in simple terms.
Looking back over the years, the meeting has seen many parents and children come and go. Some have gone on to attend church and their children to attend Sunday Discoverers. Others keep in touch through the leaders of the group, but sadly some lose touch altogether.
New parents are always welcome, whatever their background or beliefs. Please keep us in your prayers, as we continue with what we believe to be a valuable work on this estate.