Time Travelling at St Helen’s
Model made by Peter Nightingale for Time Travelling, showing the possible construction of St Helen’s
On four eventful days in October 2006 193 children from four Stapleford junior
schools, Albany, Stevenson, Fairfield and St John’s attended a Time
Travelling Experience at St Helen’s Church. This was part of their work
in the curriculum on Christianity and in consultation with the four R.E. co-ordinators
at school to incorporated their suggestions and comments.
The project was closely involved with the Time Travelling Officer from Southwell,
with 33(!) enthusiastic volunteers from the congregation.
Each of the mornings a crocodile of children arrived at the Anglo Saxon cross
to hear a little of its history and to hear a rendering of the Lord’s
Prayer in Anglo-Saxon. Here the children met their Time Guides responsible
for each small group. After a welcome drink and ceremony, when a video
was shown, a specially commissioned song was sung and a short prayer said,
the children dispersed around the church.
At the Font they drew pictures or wrote all about the ways we use water. In
the chancel the children learned about Jesus’ death on the cross and
its relevance to Holy Communion and decorated a card- cross.
In the Memorial chapel, they looked at the names and had a discussion about
prayer, and invited to light a candle and either say a prayer, or just sit
quietly.
At the Lectern they heard about how the Bible was first put in churches and
then heard the parable of the Wise and Foolish builders in Anglo Saxon and
Authorised Version (complete with signing) before reading it for themselves
in Bibles.
Each child was given a plastic folder so that they could take away a commemorative
bookmark, their drawings of water, their cross and prayer card.
Then after a chance to say good-bye they all processed out to a lively African
Christian song.
Encouraged by excellent feedback from both children and teachers alike it
is hoped to repeat this very successful project again next year.