Growing Faith Newsletter – Summer 2026

Welcome to POP UP Church?

If your church or school have already enjoyed hosting an iSingPOP workshop or main event, then POP UP church could be the next step you’re looking for!

POP UP Church is a new suite of resources and in person training from iSingPOP that will help churches create new gatherings for families from their local primary schools. These new worshipping communities will provide children and adults with opportunities to explore faith together, drawing on the energetic worship songs children already know and love from school. 

For more information, click the button below. If you would like an exploratory conversation with Emma, the Diocese of Coventry iSingPOP project worker, then email: Emma.Stevens@isingpop.com

Opening the door to Baptism at St Paul’s Stockingford

Creating a welcoming church experience can make a world of difference for children with additional needs and their families. One local church has been doing just that by taking simple, thoughtful steps to ensure every child feels welcome.

Sarah, the Growing Faith worker at St Paul’s, has recently taken on responsibility for baptism visits. Sarah takes these opportunities to connect with families, to talk through what will happen in the service, and discuss any specific needs their child may have. These conversations help set expectations, and reinforce the message that noise, movement, and individuality are all welcome.

Families are given a copy of the baptism service to explore at home, helping children become familiar with what to expect, and parents are encouraged to practise parts of the service, such as making the sign of the cross. When the day of the service arrives, children are given the opportunity to interact with the baptismal water before the ceremony – particularly helpful for those with sensory sensitivities.

The church adapts the service to suit each child, taking steps such as holding the baptism in a different part of the building or having the child remain in a parent’s arms rather than with the minister. Practical resources such as fidget toys, ear defenders, and visual timetables, are also available.

Over the past year, the church has baptised six children with additional needs, ranging in age from three to ten years old, including Reese, a non-verbal pre-schooler preparing to start nursery. With baptisms held in dedicated services after Sunday morning worship, there is additional flexibility to create a calm, welcoming environment where every family can celebrate this special milestone with minimal anxiety and maximum of joy.

If you would love to make your church a more accessible place for families with additional needs, but are struggling to know where to start, use the buttons below to explore the ‘Growing Hope’ and ‘Additional Needs Alliance’ websites. Both of these charities work with churches to support accessibility and inclusion

Coventry Growing Faith Hub Update:

St Stephen’s in Canley have created a Padlet page to share their experiences and learning in their second year as a Growing Faith Hub.

Amy gave us an update on how things are going;

“Our Growing Faith Learning Hub has been busy since Christmas. We continue to find ways to support families and children with SEND by working with the school to run weekly groups and putting on events.

Highlights of the year so far have been the Easter Trail at Leigh School, craft workshops for the Canley Parade in both church and school and the choir, parent cafe, tots lunch and Breathe ministries growing in depth.

A personal highlight for me has been facilitating our accessible school choir to lead worship in church for Rev Gareth Irvine’s induction service. I love watching the children flourish in their ability to lead worship and spread their infectious joy.

Please pray for continued depth of relationship with our families and for the whole community to be transformed by the love of Christ.”

Click the link below to explore the Hub’s Padlet page

Growing Faith Research – Successful Partnerships

This month we are diving into a research report published by the Growing Faith Foundation: Factors for success in church and school partnerships that support disadvantaged families

The report, written by Mark Wrangles from Close the Gaps explores how church–school partnerships can be most effective when supporting disadvantaged children and families. Drawing on ten successful partnerships across the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East, the research identifies the common factors behind long-lasting, high-impact collaborations.

The report’s central finding is that trust is the foundation of every successful partnership. Trust is built over time through consistent, reliable service, professionalism and a willingness to meet schools’ needs rather than pursuing a church’s own agenda. Therefore, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the report emphasises that good partnerships require a long-term commitment, often taking several years to become fully established.

Rather than following a fixed model, the strongest partnerships adapt to local needs, offering support ranging from mentoring, chaplaincy and pastoral care to foodbanks, holiday provision, counselling and practical family support. Effective partnerships are characterised by clear communication, shared staff or volunteers who understand both school and church cultures, and a commitment to sharing resources generously. Governors often play an important role in initiating relationships, while external charities and grant funding can provide valuable expertise and financial sustainability.

Overall, the research concludes that successful church–school partnerships flourish when they are rooted in strong relationships, mutual understanding, flexibility and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and families experiencing disadvantage. These partnerships not only address immediate practical needs but also strengthen communities by creating opportunities for belonging, hope and long-term support.

Use the button below to access the full report

If you fancy some more summer reading use this button to explore more research from the Growing Faith Foundation

Coventry Diocese Children and Youth Ministers recognised by Archbishop

Three children and youth ministers from Coventry Diocese were invited to an event at Lambeth Palace to be thanked for their contributions to the life of their Churches.

The event was part of RECOGNISE 2026 – a week of events across the country, recognising the hard work and sacrifice of all those who minister with children and young people in the Church of England.

Click the button below for the full story

Game On!

In this new feature, we aim to bring you a fun game or activity from somewhere on the internet.

This time around, the game involves team work and communication (and depending on your young people, possibly some attempts to cheat… or at least ‘bend the rules’

The game requires some tape to mark a line on the floor, and some plastic cups. As a team you need to place your cup (so that it’s standing up) as far as you can over the line, without any member of your team touching the floor on that side of the line.

Click the button below to watch a demonstration. Please also remember that you are responsible for all risk assessments and safety considerations if you try it out.