Photo: Rector Rachel Curley welcomes the children as 'lights in the church'.
St Nicholas Church, Chislehurst, is a place where worship is filled with joy, tradition, and a warm spirit of welcome. More than that, it is a growing church family where people of every age are being nurtured, encouraged, and invited to take their next steps in faith.
In the last year alone, fifteen children and young people, along with three young adults, were confirmed in one service, and most recently, the church celebrated a service of Confirmation for a resident at the local care home.
Photo: Fifteen young people were confirmed last year.
Rector, the Rev Rachel Curley, says that the church is being very intentional about growing, not just in numbers, but in depth of faith:
“We want people to discover that they belong here, that they are part of God’s family, and that their journey with Christ matters.
“Being a visible Christian presence in the lives of the community has been key to building up this sense of belonging, alongside listening and responding to their needs, even if this has meant making some changes to the usual pattern of our church.”
Most recently this included the admittance of 14 children to Holy Communion, when the usual practice has been for children to wait until they are older or to have been confirmed.
Photo: Children at St Nicholas celebrate being admitted to Holy Communion
While Confirmation is more commonly seen as the rite of passage that formally marks someone as ready to share fully in the sacrament, Rachel says, “For us at St Nicholas, by opening up the Lord’s Table earlier, twe hoped to affirm the spiritual life of these younger people, and to show that they too belong in the worshipping community.”
Their preparation began when Rachel, who teaches weekly in local schools, was approached by the children eager to take a fuller part in worship:
“In response, I created a course to help them grow in knowledge and faith, learning to understand and treasure the sacrament in a personal way.”
On the day itself, the congregation gathered for a joyful and moving service. The children were welcomed as 'lights in the church', each holding a candle as a symbol of belonging.
One child shared afterwards: “Now I feel more part of the church and part of God’s Kingdom.”
Watch a film about the work taking place at St Nicholas Church.
For the families, too, the service was deeply meaningful. Kate, a lifelong member and mother of three, said: “It’s wonderful to see my children stepping into faith in this way. Today, they are not only with us in worship but truly part of the church family."
Rachel agrees: “Walking alongside these children has been such a blessing. This is only the beginning of their journey, which will continue to grow as they move towards confirmation when the time is right. Our role as a church is to nurture and encourage every step.”
Cheryl Trice, Lead Adviser for the Diocese’s Children, Young People and Families Mission and Ministry Team, and who helped support St Nicholas with its decision to admit children to Holy Communion, says:
“As a team, it’s been wonderful to watch Rev Rachel’s CYPF ministry grow within her community, from getting to know children, young people and their families, to being involved in the local schools and building relationships that embed the love of Jesus and grow faith in the younger generations."
She adds:
“The enthusiasm and passion of the church congregation, driven by Rachel, to see a younger generation raised up to have a lifelong faith, is also evident through their desire to recruit a Children’s and Family Worker to develop and take forward the wonderful ministry already begun. It’s always a joy to hear and see their ministry flourishing, and to support them where we can.”
Photo: Bishop Jonathan joined Rachel to confirm Don at the local care home
With these future plans, St Nicholas is clearly committed to continuing to flourish as a church where lives from the youngest child to the eldest believer are transformed and faith is deepened.
As Rachel says “Growing in Christ is something we do together, I am always here to listen and talk with someone about their walk with God, as it is never too late to take the next step on one's journey of faith."