Followers is the name of the Children’s Liturgy group at St.Michael’s Church for eight to twelve year olds. It meets on the first Sunday of each month, except during Advent and Lent where we meet weekly, at the 9.30 Mass. Started about 10 years ago, its purpose is to share the message of the Gospels with our  young children.

We are not teachers nor are we running a “Sunday School”.  We try to ‘open’ each Sunday’s Gospel so that these young members of the church understand its message. Although we don’t have any special training as catechists, we all believe in passing on our faith to others. As parents, we have already started this process.

 In followers, we follow the same structure of the Mass, but its what I call  ‘child’ friendly. The ‘breaking’ of the Gospel and discussing it with them is the most rewarding part of the liturgy for me.

 There is currently four of us in the team. For Followers to continue to succeed, we need helpers. Please do not let worries such as ‘I have no training’ or ‘I don’t know the bible well enough’ stop you from being involved. A deep knowledge and understanding of scripture is not needed, just a willingness to help. And in terms of commitment, it isn’t onerous, I promise. Since we are rota based, the commitment is spread the more helpers we have.

 We use Katie Thomson’s ‘The Complete Children’s Liturgy Book’, so preparing for a session is very straight forward. Just follow the book.

 If you would like to help or just see what we do, please contact Clive De Souza  at followers@stmichaels-ashford.org.uk