Worship Council

The Worship Council play a vital role in the development of worship within our school. Our aim is to develop ways of ensuring each and every member of Eckington CE First School has time and space to think, reflect and connect with themselves, others and God.

We regularly meet with Mrs Dodd to give feedback and ideas to the pupils, staff and Governors to help make our Collective Worship times extra special. We also help to organise some acts of worship and we welcome everyone to worship.

We worked with other schools from our cluster and the Diocese to learn how to write some of our own 'welcome words' and these now introduce Collective Worship.

Last year we were also able to promote a project (suggested by other pupils) to create a calm reflective place outside in the grounds. We gathered ideas fo the space and produced plans in collaboration with all the children. Then KS2 worked with parents and staff to create our Reflection Garden. This is now a space for reflection and peaceful thought away from the hustle and bustle of the playground.

Also, this year we have already organised the school's Harvest Festival in Church and the Remembrance service here in the hall. We are looking forward to planning the Easter service and enjoy opportunities to help shape these important services.

In the summer of 2024 Worship Council came up with the idea that we needed a quiet, calm place outside. They discussed this with the school and everyone contributed their ideas to a plan for a new 'Reflection Garden' space. Thanks to lots of help this was created in an area adjacent to the playground and formally opened and blessed in September by Revd. Allison. We even had bells ringing in Holy Trinity Church for this special event! We are enjoying this space and Worship Council will be working on further developing the area.

Remembrance Service

We read the poem written by Joshua Dyer (a 15 year old pupil at Tenbury High) and found it very inspirational that a young person had such insight into the subject.

One Thousand Men Are Walking

By Joshua Dyer

One thousand men are walking

Walking side by side

Singing songs from home

The spirit as their guide

they walk toward the light milord

they walk towards the sun

they smoke and laugh and smile together

their foes are now outrun

these men live on forever

in the hearts of those they saved

a nation truly grateful

for the path of peace they paved

they march as friends and comrades

but they do not march for war

step closer to salvation

a tranquil steady corps

the meadows lit with golden beams

a beacon for the brave

the emerald grass untrampled

a reward for what they gave

they dream of those they left behind

and know they dream of them

forever in those poppy fields

there walks one thousand men

Worship Council developed our outside worship area. The whole school created a cross to display and focus our worship. In designing the cross the children thought of the following images:

Three candles to represent the Trinity: God the Father; God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Bread and wine to represent Jesus' body and blood and the Eucharist
The Eckington bridge to represent us all, and the water of life flowing through it

There is a dedicated area for worship outdoors and all the children were asked to contribute their ideas for this special space.