All Are Welcome:

Vicar Fr Ben Edwards on Family Life at St Peter's Church, Thurston"

Tell us a bit about being the Vicar of St Peter’s and Holy Innocents Churches and what excites you most about your ministry here?

I’m approaching four years as Vicar here in Thurston and Great Barton, and it’s been such a privilege. I see my role as being a friendly guide for spiritual exploration, helping people discover more about God and the Christian faith in a way that feels relevant to their lives. That includes everything from understanding who Jesus was and what he taught about life, to simply being there for the community during joyful celebrations like Harvest, Christmas, and Easter, and equally during more reflective or challenging times.

It’s such a varied role, but at its heart, it’s all about relationships. Meeting people, sharing laughter and tears, celebrating together, and navigating life’s challenges – and bringing all of that into a faith context. What truly excites me is connecting with families and individuals who are exploring their own sense of faith, asking big questions about life, and seeking to live it well. Every person's journey is unique, and I love being someone they can openly discuss these things with, without pressure.

What's your vision for the church's role in the local community, especially when it comes to supporting families?

Just like Holy Innocents Church, St Peter’s Church deeply cares about the village community around us. There’s nothing more joyful than when we welcome people into our church, especially families, as they explore what our worshipping community is all about and learn more about our shared faith heritage together.

For over a year now, we've been holding our special All Age services. St Peter’s Church hosts its All Age service on the fourth Sunday of each month, and we genuinely hope and pray that more families will join us there to discover more about the Christian faith in a relaxed and engaging way. We believe church should be a supportive and enriching place for the whole family.

What makes the All Age service particularly special or unique for families with children?

Our All Age service is really designed with families in mind! It keeps a traditional feel but uses language and activities that are easy for everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult, to understand and participate in. We make sure there are lots of opportunities to join in, and talks are often lively and sometimes include an activity that the whole family can enjoy together.

A unique feature we have is bubble prayers. The congregation suggests prayers, and as I pray them, I blow bubbles to represent our prayers rising to God. When they pop, it symbolises God receiving them – it’s a simple visual that children especially love.

We also share a simple Holy Communion, what some might call the ‘bread and wine’ part. We operate an Open Table policy, which means everyone who comes is welcome to receive, or simply come forward for a blessing, or even just observe if they prefer. There’s no pressure to participate if you’re not comfortable.

And of course, we always love to share refreshments afterward – and sometimes even before! It’s a wonderful opportunity to chat, catch up with church friends, and experience the warm, joyous community we have here. We're always hoping for our church family to grow!

As a family man yourself, how do you personally integrate your faith into daily family life?

I've always taken a pretty relaxed approach with my own children's faith journey. We certainly read them classic Bible stories and said bedtime prayers, but we never wanted them to feel forced into anything. Our children are now old enough to make their own choices about their faith, and sometimes they're really keen to pray or come to church, and other times they're not. Giving them that space has, I believe, actually helped them find a strong faith that feels truly their own.

For me personally? I find that prayer is a constant thread through my day – morning, noon, night, and often in between! I also read a lot, exploring different perspectives on faith and life. And I always try to keep my eyes and ears open for what God is doing in the world around me, and where I can, I try to join in!

What advice would you give to parents who are looking to introduce or deepen their children's understanding of faith?

Much like how I approached it with my own children, I’d suggest starting with the basics. Reading them some of the classic Bible stories we all grew up with, saying a few simple prayers at bedtime, and giving thanks before meals can be a great start. Keep it simple – nothing long or overly formal. Just some straightforward 'pleases' and 'thank yous' to God.

I also found it helpful to explain what might be happening during the church seasons, like why we celebrate Christmas or Easter, and why we do certain things in church. It’s not about sitting them down for a full-on Bible study or embarking on a pilgrimage right away! Instead, consistent, simple things can help them build a 'spiritual toolbox' they can draw upon as they decide for themselves how important faith is in their lives.

How does the church aim to create a welcoming and engaging environment for children of all ages during services and other activities?

We really strive to make church a place where children of all ages feel welcome and engaged. We use easy-to-understand language in our services and talks, and we connect our teaching to core Christian values that we explore together. We also try to incorporate visuals and practical activities to cater to different learning styles – we know every child responds to things differently.

Crucially, we are definitely not a church that demands children are perfectly quiet and unheard! We genuinely embrace the noise, the laughter, and even the occasional cries. We have microphones, so everyone can hear, but we’re genuinely happy to have young people alongside us. The Christian faith is for everyone, and we would be absolutely thrilled to welcome your family!

What's one thing you hope families will experience or gain by attending an All Age service at your church?

My most sincere hope and prayer is that families will collectively experience God's love for themselves by engaging with and, if they feel called to, becoming a part of our loving church family. It truly is a special place. Like any family, we have our quirks, but because we share our lives with God, we come together in friendship and understanding, and grow closer to God day by day. We genuinely believe there's a place for your family here.

Beyond Sunday services, what opportunities are there for families to connect and get involved with the church community?

Beyond our Sunday services, there are always various events, seasonal services, and opportunities for families to connect and do things together. These include popular events like our Christmas Tree Festival, flower festivals, churchyard clear-up mornings, and even fun activities like our Teddy Bear Ziplines! We have many ideas that we’re eager to put into action, and we’d love for YOU to be a part of making them happen. Keep an eye on our website and notice board for upcoming events!

If someone is feeling a little hesitant about trying church, what would you say to encourage them to take that first step?

It’s completely normal to feel a bit hesitant or even a little strange when you try a new church for the first time, or even any church for the first time! But I want to assure you that everyone here will be genuinely glad you’ve come. You’ll find us welcoming and helpful, without being at all overbearing.

My advice is to take things at your own pace. Join in with what you feel comfortable participating in, and please don’t be afraid to ask questions. Believe it or not, even I, the Vicar, wasn't sure what to do or not to do when I first started exploring faith! Some things might feel a bit unfamiliar, while other things might feel just right – it’s absolutely normal to feel whatever you feel, and I'm certainly not going to test you at the end!

We truly invite your family to come and see if our church is the right fit for you. I’m always happy to answer questions and have discussions with anyone who is unsure about anything. Honestly, welcoming people who are exploring their faith with their local church is one of the most rewarding parts of my ministry. We’d love for you to simply come and experience it for yourselves.