Creating a church community around the campfire

‘What do you do when your toddler starts school and you can’t make it to the church parent and toddler group?’ That was the question that Watchet and Williton realised many parents were facing and the church has come up with a solution.

Julie Pelling, Reader at Watchet and Williton shared their story. “Three weeks ago we started Campfire Church. It’s been gently brewing in our minds for a while now, but after prayer and many conversations, now seemed to be the right time to do it. It has developed from Little Saints, the Parent and Toddler Groups we run in Watchet and Williton. We had a number of families who either because of going back to work or their child was moving up to Nursery or School, were no longer able to attend the weekly groups anymore. But during the lockdown and through weekly meet ups in the park a real sense of community and belonging had developed and strong relationships had formed. People wanted to stay connected to the group.

“So we did a couple of beach days in the summer and families came and brought their older children who loved it and so a seed was planted. Campfire Church began with over 70 people coming together in the grounds of St Peter’s Church, for food, crafts, games, sparklers and fun! We told the story of Joseph using a giant parachute, sang songs around the campfire and toasted marshmallows and made s’mores. We had a wonderful time and look forward to where God might lead the group.”