KAOS
Chatham Salvation Army Sunday School is led by Tracy Wood, the ‘Young Peoples Sergeant Major’ – a grand title which simply means leader of the Sunday School.
Tracy Wood
With so much competition from non-Church clubs, we try to make our activities appealing, so we named Sunday School ‘KAOS’, standing for Kids Alive On Sunday. After all, kids go to school 5 days a week already without them thinking they have to go on a Sunday too!
The junior hall where we meet each Sunday is decorated from floor to ceiling with Bible stories. We have to say it’s unique, and after 62 hours of painting it is worth a visit! A number of other activities also take place in this hall bringing non-churched people into our premises and they all get a glimpse of the Bible through the pictures. This is a ministry without words, and one that appeals to all ages.
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KAOS caters for youngsters between the age of 2 years and 16 years and we enjoy all-age worship as well as smaller group work, based on children’s ages and abilities.
Currently (December 2006) we have a good spread of ages:
- 11 youngsters under 7 yrs
- 20 youngsters between 7 yrs and 12 yrs
- 15 youngsters over 13 yrs
And we would still love more! These numbers will inevitably change over a period of time but are a good guide.
With a dedicated group of 20 adult helpers the Church activities for the under 18s are thriving. To see young people grow in their knowledge about Jesus is a reward nobody can better.
KAOS meets every Sunday following the main morning service. It starts at 11.15am and continues on until 12.30pm. In that time, the youngsters share in all-age worship including singing, fun and games, video, drama, and we always include ‘news time’.
We have great fun with our Puppet Ministry too! You never know who might turn up, and what they might get up to, a great way to share the stories of Jesus!
The second part of the morning sees the youngsters split into age related groups where they receive Bible teaching, and take part in smaller group activities.
All the under 13’s come back together for the last 15 minutes to share in a prayer time.
The under 7s (the Primary) have a programme designed specifically for them and regularly take part in our Church Services. It’s guaranteed to make you smile.
The Leader of KAOS has responsibility for all activities for the under 13s. There is a separate programme for the over 13s (Youth).
So what else does Chatham Salvation Army have to offer to the under 13s apart from what happens on a Sunday?
For youngsters 7ys upwards there are a number of activities
For those with a musical interest, we have:
Both meet weekly for rehearsals and regularly take part in both our KAOS worship and the main Church services. Other activities include the tambourines, drama and dance.
There is a great ‘junior soldier’ programme led by the Junior Soldier Sergeant and her team. Currently there are about 25 junior soldiers. Most of them meet on a Friday evening at the Leader’s house and have a great time. A Junior Soldier is a young person who has made a personal decision to have Jesus in their life. They make a promise to read their Bible and pray regularly. Click here to read the promise they make.
Not every child in KAOS is a Junior Soldier. Becoming one is a personal choice for each person who attends. Whether they make that decision or not, all activities are open to both junior soldiers and non-junior soldiers. The Junior Soldier Programme is being re-launched at the end of April – why? Because we have great new funky material that looks fun! And we have three new leaders taking over the running of the programme.
The junior soldiers run an ‘adoption scheme’. Every six months they choose someone from the Church that they would like to get to know or feel needs some love and friendship. With guidance they link up with this person, sharing meals, days out or just sending a letter to them every now and then. It has become a tradition that each year there is a picnic arranged for the junior soldiers and their ‘adopted’ friends. This is always a big success.
Our programme for the under 13s includes:
- KAOS Summer Outing normally to the beach (weather always permitting … and not always helpful!). This is a day where the whole Church come along and support – our record attendance being 113 people!
- Youth Spectacular – a Saturday evening where all the youngsters have a chance to entertain friends and family. This includes group items from our junior choir and band as well as individual items, volunteered by the children.
- KAOS Christmas activities – including a Party and the annual KAOS Carol Concert. This is a morning service lead by the young people but enjoyed by everyone.
- YP Annual – a special meeting where the youngsters receive a token prize for their attendance in KAOS.
- Junior Soldier’s Day of Renewal – a special service where youngsters are encouraged to renew their Promise.
The work of the Young People’s team includes linking with other groups that use our facilities. We try and encourage youngsters in these groups to come along on a Sunday, and also to take part in our special services.
The following are links to the affiliated Groups:
If you live locally and would like to bring your children to KAOS, we would love to see you.
Why not try us out: Sundays 11.15 am – 12.30 pm.
If you would like to know more about any of our activities please CONTACT US or follow the various links above