The Anglican Children’s Ministry is divinely positioned to lead children to knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, as well as imparting key Anglican themes and heritage to them. At the heart of our teachings is Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.
We cater to the spiritual needs of children aged from 0 – 19 years. In the year under review we grew in numbers of members (children) and teachers.
Services
We convene every Sunday at 9am at the Church Hall, during the second service in Church.
We commence our Service with a general assembly of all the class groups for opening prayer, hymn singing, praise and worship, bible readings, offering and intercessory prayers. Thereafter the children are dispersed to their different age group classes.
Class Groups
The different class groups are:
- 0-6 years;
- 7-9 years;
- 10 – 12 years; and
- Teens Class.
During the service, we engage the children in various roles according to their talents and interests, such as: Children’s Choir, Band, a Mini Orchestra and our Guild of Stewards. Our children are always encouraged to join any of the groups to hone their different skill sets.
Lesson Preparation
The children are taught using the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Teacher’s Guide and Manual. There are different manuals for the different age groups.
A monthly lesson plan is prepared monthly and lessons are assigned to teachers of the different classes. On the first Saturdays of every month, a review meeting is convened for the assigned teachers to present their lessons to all teachers, for a collective review of the lessons for input, feedback and eventual adoption, ahead of teaching the children.
Teaching Methodology
After the general assembly at the start of the service, the children are dispersed to their different age group classes for age-appropriate lessons and instructions.
Our classes are designed to be highly interactive and activity-driven to spur participation and learning.
The Lagos Diocese prepares and sends a weekly Children’s worship video, which we circulate as an additional teaching tool and also utilize other relevant online sources.
We adopt a different protocol for the Teens, to cater to their spiritual developmental needs. Their classes are more interactive and every second Sunday of the month, they hold a joint service with the Youth Church.
Parish Activities
Children’s Day: On May 28, 2023, the children celebrated Children’s Day in Church and the theme was “Career Day”. The children came out en masse adorning their prospective career attires, much to the delight of the parents and their peers alike. The following careers were represented: Doctors, Lawyers, Chefs, Engineers, Teachers, Footballers, Hair and Beauty technicians/stylists, Fashion Designers, Armed Forces, Pilots, Astronauts, Law Enforcement Agents, Computer Scientists etc. and this added to colour and excitement of the occasion.
Children’s Ministry Thanksgiving: Our Ministry’s annual Thanksgiving was successfully held on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Our Christmas/End-of-year Party: Our Ministry’s Christmas/End-of-year Party held on Sunday, December 18, 2023 and it was a huge success. We embarked on a short break immediately thereafter to resume on Sunday, January 7, 2023.
Diocesan Activities
The Archdeaconry Service of Re-dedication was held on January 8, 2023 at the Church of Nativity Parkview, Ikoyi and was attended by the children and teachers.
The 2023 Camp Meeting held from August 16th – August 18th at Faith Plaza and was well attended by our children and teachers alike.
The Choir Competition held on Saturday, October 21st, 2023 and our children did us proud.
The 2023 Variety Day/A day with the Bishop was held on November 4, 2023 at Faith Plaza.
The Anglicanism Quiz was held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 and our children did us proud.
The Ikoyi Archdeaconry End-of-year program was held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Church of Nativity Parkview, Ikoyi.
The End-of-year Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (Phase III), Lagos Island, Lagos.
Support and Donations
We are indeed very blessed to still be receiving 200 packs of food every Sunday from the Men’s Fellowship for our children, which has kept them well nourished.
One of our Teachers, Mrs. Folashade Odumosu, donates a cake at the end of every month, to celebrate children born within that month. The children always look forward to this monthly celebration.
Mrs. Charity Onyenze, our Secretary, also donated seven (7) chairs for our 0-6 class in commemoration of her 50th Birthday.
Parents and Teachers alike also donated various snack items towards our 2023 Christmas Party and brought smiles to the faces of our children. We are grateful for their amazing support.
Teachers’ Training
The Church organized a certified training for the Teachers on children evangelism and it was highly impactful. The training was facilitated by the Children Evangelism Mission (CEM). It spanned from October 8, 2023 to December 3, 2023.
Ministry Executives, Matrons and New Teachers
Lady Mrs. Gloria Okeke – Superintendent
Mrs. Chinwe Daras – Asst. Superintendent
Mrs. Charity Onyenze – Secretary
Mrs. Njide Ako-Okoli – Asst. Secretary
Mrs. Amina Tswanya – Financial Secretary
Mrs. Obiageli Nworah – Welfare Officer
Mrs. Mercy Osinowo – Asst. Welfare Officer
Mrs. Bibiana Belu-Olisa – Librarian
We have godly and inspiring mothers as our Matrons namely: Mrs. Jane Ejueutchie Oroye, Mrs. Chinwe Osuno, Mrs. Ada Smith and Mrs. Adejoke Okeowo.
Three (3) new Teachers joined our Ministry namely: Mrs. Patience Kafisewon, Ms. Jesutomi Ajayi and Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna. They were welcomed to our fold.
On behalf of the Children’s Ministry, we hereby express our sincere appreciation to our Vicar, our Chaplain, the Music Director, PCC, Harvest Committee, Parents and other members of the Church for their unwavering support throughout the year.
Thank you and God bless.
Lady Gloria Okeke
Superintendent
The Revd. Canon Samuel Ajayi
Chaplain
Mrs Charity Onyenze
Secretary