Benefice of Dickleburgh and the Pulhams

Dickleburgh, Pulham Market, Pulham St Mary, Rushall, Starston, Thelveton

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The Church Family
We are all God's children, so our church family includes all ages, young and old, as well as all those in between. Our activities are usually open to everyone, whatever their age. Fêtes, flower festivals, craft fairs, teddy bear parachutes, these are great fun at any stage of your life. 
Praising God and saying thank you for the good things in our lives is important whether we are seven or seventy. We are all different and all like to worship in different ways, but there are some services which are more suited to one age group, rather than another.
On this page you will find some examples of activities which are especially suited to young people.
Click here for details of a book of Children's Stories by the Rector.
Children:

Are you a child of Primary School age? Do you like to feel the joy and wonder of the Spirit? People of your age often do. Some love to join in what are supposed to be ‘grown up’ services. For lots of children, sharing the Peace is the highlight of worship, while others love to go to the altar to receive a blessing during communion. You might like singing in the choir, or helping with the candles. Do you like puzzles and colouring sheets? Then Young Church Mag is for you. You will find them in Dickleburgh and Thelveton, and there are books available to borrow during the service as well.

Children of your age often enjoy the Family and Celebration services where you get the chance to move about and be active.

Second Sunday: Pulham Market 10.45am in the school; Starston 3.00pm Celebration;

Third Sunday: Dickleburgh 10am

Family service;

Special activities for Primary School children include:

Trailblazers: Mondays 6.00 pm, Pulham St Mary Village Hall.

Treasure Seekers: A drop-in club runs some lunch times in Dickleburgh School during the Autumn and Winter.

Dickleburgh choir welcomes children.

Remember, if you are coming by yourself you need your parents' permission, and they should always know where you are.

 

A note to Parents:
 

Babies are welcome at all our services. You may like to bring a favourite soft toy to keep your baby amused during the service so that you are free to worship. Dickleburgh, Pulham St Mary, Rushall and Starston have pram-friendly entrances. Dickleburgh has a church hall nearby where you can take your baby if they are crying or upset, otherwise a walk round the churchyard can often settle a fractious infant.

 

Toddlers and

pre-school children can be the most distracting for you during a service as they want to explore and can be tempted to run up and down the aisle! Dickleburgh, Pulham Market and Pulham St Mary have dedicated corners where young children can go and play. Thelveton has a box of toys for young children. Dickleburgh and Pulham Market have toilet facilities, which can be a great help. You may find that you are most comfortable bringing your pre-school child to one of the family services, where the worship is more relaxed and they can join in more easily.

Second Sunday:

Pulham Market 10.45am in the school;

Third Sunday:

Dickleburgh 10am Family Service;

 

There is also a session on the second Thursday of every month especially for pre-school children and those looking after them. It is called Angels and Rascals and runs from 10.00 am – 11.45 in Pulham Market Church.

 

Health and Safety:

  • You need to be aware that all our churches meet in old buildings which have listed status, so may not always be as risk free as other places. We do our best to make them reasonably safe and comfortable while keeping the essential character of the building.
  •  
    Anyone leading groups which include children will have been given a full CRB check.
Teenagers:
Do you need to be able to talk about our faith, to feel free to explore and to question, to know that doubts will be treated seriously, and discussed intelligently? Alpha groups and Confirmation classes can be arranged for anyone who wants to explore the deeper questions of life. Use the Contact page to register your interest, or ask any of the people leading services in our churches.
  • A study group meets on second Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm at Brook House, Starston. You are very welcome to join. Let Norman know if there is anything special you want to talk about.
  •  
    On the fourth Sunday at Pulham Market at 11.00am NlightN provides a really good opportunity to discuss issues that you find challenging. There is also the opportunity for some lively music and interesting worship songs.
  • On the second and fourth Sunday at Rushall at 9.30am the Sunday Worship service can allow space and time for thinking deeply about the theme for the week. It is a quiet service, without hymns. The language is modern and the set prayers are easy to understand if you are not used to formal services.

If you like music, and play an instrument, do talk to the worship leaders, as they are always looking for people to help give us a variety of different forms and sounds. In particular, Dickleburgh Choir will be very pleased to welcome you.

If you are a young person looking to find out more about the Christian faith you could check out the ‘The Hub’. You will find a link to this fascinating site on the ‘Useful Links’ page under ‘About Us’. You might also like to check out the Diocesan website as there are a lot of different things going on in the county for young people, and they should be listed there.

 

Young adults:
When you first step out into the world on your own it can be daunting. People in your local church have a wealth of experience which can help you. Setting aside some time each week simply to be with God amongst Christian people is vitally important, and may be all the back up that you need. In general people are not intrusive, and if you just want to slip in quietly and go away straight after the service that is fine.
 
If there are particular issues that are causing you concern, then there is sure to be someone there who can provide a listening ear. They may look like a lot of old fogies, but, believe me, between them they have probably seen it all! Just look past the wrinkles, and let them know your concerns.
 
There are a variety of services and styles of worship within the benefice. Go to the services page to see where and when. You may like to experiment to see which seems to give you most support. This is fine. You are welcome at any of the services, whether you come every week or just once in a while, though you will get most benefit if you make one place your "home".