Day One: ROCK DAY – the Wise and Foolish Builders
Billed as a ‘WONDER-FULL’ week, it was evident by the end of the first day, that something special was unfolding. The Holiday Club for 28 primary-aged children from across the Benefice and the local area began in a literal blaze of glory. Thanks to the fourth heatwave of the summer to grip the UK, blue skies and brilliant sunshine blessed day one.
Both inside and outside St. James’ church Stalmine had been transformed by Rev. Naomi and her team into marvelous spaces, ready for a heady mix of non-stop fun, excitement and laughter.
The area was divided into four zones, where the youngsters could take up a physical CHALLENGE, CREATE amazing things from next to nothing, CHILL if they needed somewhere quiet for a little while and finally, a space where their natural CURIOSITY could be explored. Each area provided both structured learning and free play, supervised carefully by volunteers from across the Over Wyre Benefice.
If parents (and children) had any slight anxiety about dropping their little ones off for the day, there was no need. Plentiful adults were on hand to ensure they had the very best of days. From the warm welcome they received at the church gates, to being registered and then guided towards an exploration of the grounds and the various areas and activities on offer, it was clear that this was a safe, happy space to be.
The day revolved around visiting the zones and being immersed in many diverse activities. Challenging physical team games went down a treat, enabling the little ones to run around to their heart’s content, bond with team mates and engage in a whole series of never-ending challenges.
The Create zone offered some amazing opportunities to craft beautiful objects using lolly sticks, paints, recycling materials, wood and stones. It was a busy space, with children only too keen to showcase their skills.
For those youngsters who love a more science-based approach to life, the Curiosity zone was a winner. Rocks, fossils, moon-dust were just a few items which set their imaginations alight.
The Chill zone was open all day, kitted out with cosy tents under the shade of a tree, a variety of books and fidget toys.
During parts of the day, all the children and adults gathered together inside church for some drama, story time, journal decoration and badge creation, in addition to some action songs. The witty role-play between the eccentric ‘Professor’ and his quirky assistant – ‘Sparky’ created much amusement as they acted out and discussed the dos and don’ts of house-building, mirroring the parable of the ‘Wise and Foolish Builders’.
Throughout the day, the message from the gospel narrative was gently reinforced through the activities connected to home/houses/rocks and sand.
An amazing variety of snacks were presented by the catering team, who worked hard to please even the fussiest of diners.
At lunch-time, the children enjoyed a 30-minute film whilst they ate their lunches. It provided fuel for the body and a rest for the mind.
The day had been packed with activity for hands, legs and brains. Wall-to-wall smiles clearly indicated that the day had been much-loved. Tired youngsters (and volunteers) made their way home, ready to rest and repeat a similar programme on Day Two!
Day Two: WATER DAY – Jesus Calms the Storm
The inspiration for all things water-related sprung from the gospel narrative of how Jesus calmed the storm, making day two of the Wonder Week Holiday Club quite exceptional.
Storm clouds did not darken the skies over Stalmine; the heatwave continued and the sun shone, but the Create zone enabled the little ones to make their own threatening clouds, under the stormy sea scenes and clay models. The zone was a hub of activity with drawing, gluing, modelling and shaping all going on simultaneously. Some stunning creations emerged.
Outside was equally busy. The Challenge zone was popular throughout the day. Team games, target practice, hook-a-duck, football, cricket were all on offer, to name but a few! The afternoon activities were all water-based to the absolute delight of the youngsters. Water pistols were drawn and fired, leaders were sponged and magna-tiles provided an opportunity to practise hitting a target at speed, all of which were soaked up by the ‘contestants’. However, the star attraction had to be the much-anticipated water slide. Adults and children loved the experience of sliding down the frothy water whilst being squirted by hefty looking water pistols from the sidelines.
The Chill zone enjoyed some quiet visitors throughout the day for some gentle colouring, word searches, dominoes and card games. It was a welcome space away from the hubbub for a while.
The Curiosity zone created some coloured raindrops and balloon boats, which were tried and tested in paddling pools. Using simple equipment: a polystyrene board, a straw, some string and a balloon, the children were able to make and power their mini vessels.
Both children and adults gathered together in church at various points of the day. Excitement was palpable when the Professor and Sparky, (his assistant) returned for a visit. Their witty banter gave a nod to the gospel narrative and expressed wonder and astonishment in Jesus’ ability to calm the storm. Rev. Naomi and Ben demonstrated a scientific water experiment, proving how air can hold up water. It was a visual reminder to expect the unexpected. Prayers, action-songs and completion of personal journals continued.
During lunchtime, the children were happy to sit, eat and watch a short film. It was a welcome breathing pace and an opportunity to refuel the body and refresh the mind, ready for the challenges of the afternoon.
Refreshments flowed throughout the day…and fittingly, even water-melon featured in the fruit kebabs! A chance to dip an assortment of fruit pieces into melted chocolate proved irresistible.
By the end of the day, many sodden children were returned to parents and guardians. Their clothes were drenched. They had been immersed in an unmissable experience. Above all, they had soaked up joy, drop by drop!
Day 3: WIND / BREATH DAY –
Jesus breathed over His disciples and said,
‘Peace be with you…’
On the third day of the Over Wyre Benefice Wonder Week, Jesus breathed over the Holiday Club and said, ‘Peace be with you…’
It was a calm and relaxed start to the day. Following the usual arrival procedure of registration, the children pottered round the various zones, stopping by to participate in some crafting, some gentle exercise or some chill time, under the shade of the old leafy tree. Everywhere you looked, seemed peaceful.
A little later, the youngsters gathered together in the Challenge zone for some team games before heading into church to catch-up with their journals and enjoy some snacks.
Two church candles were lit by Rev. Naomi, but what followed was far from ordinary! With the help of a couple of ingredients, a scientific experiment unfolded and a gas was created…enough to snuff out at least one of the candle flames. The interaction between the gas and the fire was definitive. The connection was made with the gospel narrative of how Jesus appeared to His disciples and said, ‘Peace be with you and He breathed upon them…’ Both relied upon an interaction. Both were transformational. A second experiment using a hairdryer and a ping pong ball reinforced the message that there are forces at work. As the ball hovered under the invisible, but powerful blast of warm air, the children could see something special was happening.
To the delight of the little ones (and their adult helpers), a much-loved action song got everyone up and on their feet, dancing to the catchy tune before the Professor and his very trying assistant Sparky entered on stage. Like previous encounters, the pair entertained, educated and informed the audience through witty banter and a series of questions and answers!
Finally, just as God’s spirit was breathed over the disciples and they were touched and connected, a swift challenge to shake as many hands as possible in thirty seconds ensued, illustrating the point in an accessible way.
One more action song preceded Zone time. All the areas were busy and all the smiles were broad. The crafters took great delight in creating wind-related objects while those who needed some exertion headed for the Challenge zone, where they participated in a range of very physical and collaborative activities. Some children enjoyed Lego building, reading or construction tasks with magna-tiles. The range of options for play was plentiful. Everyone was immersed in something or other.
Lunchtime once more, provided fuel for the body and relaxation for the mind as everyone enjoyed a short film.
The afternoon was spent in Zones, sampling the plethora of options available. The curious kids made a bee-line for potion creation, wind-powered vehicles and lavender gift bags to gift to others. The energetic ones, powered on through endless games, the creative children made hot-air balloons and the dramatists practised their script.
Gathered time in church began with a team challenge: which team could create the longest ‘chain-reaction’ using dominoes. This was followed by the mini role-play, starring some young dramatists, which recapped the gospel narrative for the day. One final action song was belted out with huge enthusiasm before everyone headed outside for jelly and candy floss!
Holiday Club had come to a close. Had it been ‘wonder-full’? Definitely. It had been inventive and creative. It had been physical. It had embraced the natural curiosity of children. It had been full of unexpected moments.
The remaining key question all were ‘wonder-ing’ about, was when the next one will be!
Wonder Week Sunday Takeover
If the previous three days were anything to go by, it was crystal clear that the Wonder Week Sunday Takeover was going to be nothing short of spectacular!
The service began with an on-screen presentation, highlighting in words and images what Wonder Week had been about. Image after image captured the endless happy faces, immersed in challenges, craft, free play, scientific experiments or just simply chilling. It had been a happiness fest from the moment of arrival to departure, a place where hearts, minds and souls were enriched.
A group of budding dramatists were more than happy to showcase their skills in retelling the narrative of when Jesus calmed the storm. They used puppets, an inflatable dinghy and a dollop of imagination to engage their audience.
This was followed by a much-loved action song – ‘Be strong and Courageous’. Leading the actions from the front, the youngsters confidently guided the congregation through the sequence.
The much-anticipated return of the Professor and his hapless assistant Sparky was well-received. Their trademark humour, slapstick comedic moments and witty banter soon had the congregation giggling. Behind the laughs, ridiculous props and continual ‘misunderstanding’ on Sparky’s part, lay a serious message, mirroring the three Bible stories shared during the week. When Sparky opened a bag of frozen peas and shared them, saying, ‘Peas be with you…’ the children were bewildered and the adults chuckled. It was comedy gold!
Next, Rev. Naomi turned her hand to a science experiment. Using chemicals, warm water and some yeast, she demonstrated how the tiniest amount, can, with the right combination, increase exponentially…reflecting how simple individual actions, collectively, have the capacity to change the world.
Picture prayer cards were distributed for completion…and everyone was sent home with a fish!
Another energetic action-song had everyone up on their feet and dancing. As usual, the children took the lead and expertly demonstrated the moves. As the song progressed, Rev. Naomi threw out inflatable band instruments to the little ones, who, without hesitation, began ‘playing’ and swaying to the beat.
Rev. Dyllis gave a vote of thanks to the whole team who has worked alongside Rev. Naomi to deliver the most exceptional of weeks. She had witnessed first-hand how children and their families had been given the Gospel; how they had met with God outdoors, through challenges, craft and science.
A picnic followed. Families and friends relaxed and ate under bright blue skies and glorious sunshine. An abundance of homemade cakes was on offer, in addition to ice creams all round. There was an opportunity for youngsters to take parents round the Zones and engage with an activity there.
For the children, the highlight was the arrival of the bouncy castle. Tots to teens enjoyed performing acrobatics on the wobbly structure as parents looked on. It made a lovely end to what had been, the loveliest of weeks.
Wonder Week 2025 ended as it had begun – full of wonder…wonder-full.
