On Sunday 12th May we had a full hall for the dedication of three young children. The Oates family brought Alex, recently adopted from overseas, and we prayed for them as a family. We also prayed for the Chihota family, who were dedicating their youngest two children. Before this we heard moving stories of God’s work in the lives of a number of people in our church community.

Afterwards, we all had lunch together and got out the bouncy castle. That kept the children fully occupied for a couple of hours!

When we dedicate children we don’t baptise them as we believe that is a decision that they should make for themselves later. Children are a gift from God and bringing them up well is a very important part of our calling as parents. So we pray for families with new children, and for those children as they grow up. We also commit ourselves, as a church community, to supporting the families in that process.

In Community Church Tadley we are strongly committed to the idea of bringing up our children well. We continue to run regular parenting courses to support and encourage good parenting.