The United Reformed Church’s “Towards a Charter for Children in the Church”, introduced at General Assembly 1990, challenges churches to become fully inclusive in their work with children. In accordance with the Charter, we at Fleet URC affirm the following ten principles:
We believe that:
1. Children are equal partners with adults in the life of the church.
2. The full diet of Christian worship is for children as well as adults.
3. Learning is for the whole church, adults and children.
4. Fellowship is for all – each belonging meaningfully to the rest.
5. Service is for children to give, as well as adults.
6. The call to evangelism comes to all God’s people of whatever age.
7. The Holy Spirit speaks powerfully through children as well as adults.
8. The discovery and development of gifts in children and adults is a key function of the church.
9. As a church community we must learn to do only those things in separate age groups which we cannot in all conscience do together.
10. The concept of the ‘Priesthood of all Believers’ includes children.
In 2017 the young people in our Footsteps group felt that some of the Charter was tricky to understand so, after exploring the meaning behind the words, they rewrote it so that they could understand it more easily.
Their version of the Charter for Children in the Church is as follows:
1. Children and adults are just as important as each other at church.
2. Children and adults can join in with all aspects of church life.
3. All people, young and old, can learn at church.
4. All people, young and old, belong equally to the church community.
5. All people, young and old, can serve and help each other.
6. The call to share God’s love and the Christian message comes to all people, whatever their age.
7. The Holy Spirit can speak to and through people of all ages, young and old.
8. All people, young and old, can discover and develop their skills and talents at church.
9. At church people of all ages, young and old, should do as many things together as they can.
10. All people, young and old, can talk directly to God through prayer.