Sta’s4All (short for St Aidan’s for All) is a worship community for children and families connected to St Aidan’s Church of England Primary School, Billange in Wigan. While it is primarily aimed at pupils and families from the school, it is open to everyone. Children from other schools regularly attend, and some adults come along to volunteer, supporting the worship community through helping with arts and crafts activities.
Children attend Sta’s4All alongside a parent or carer, creating an opportunity for families to share meaningful time together as they explore faith. In March, the group celebrates its 17th anniversary – marking 17 years of helping children and parents worship together.
Since it began in 2009, Sta’s4All has continued to grow and evolve. While some traditions have remained constant, the group has adapted over time as new volunteers have joined and the needs of families have changed. Volunteers have come and gone over the years, but some familiar faces have remained a steady presence throughout.
Sta’s4All meets once a month on the second Sunday, a rhythm that has continued since its founding. Over the years, the community it has built has remained strong. Some who attended as children now return as young adults to support the group, and parents who once came with their children now volunteer each month.
Each session begins with a range of craft sessions and fun activities linked to a Bible theme. While the children enjoy creative activities together, the team also spends time getting to know parents and building relationships with families. These connections often encourage families to take part in other church services and activities, helping more people to engage with church life and grow in their faith.
After the activities, the group gathers for worship. Music, led by guitarist Peter, who plays an important role, with songs helping children engage with the stories of the Bible in a fun and child accessible way. Bible stories are also brought to life through short plays performed by the children and, puppet shows.
Behind the scenes, careful planning supports each session. The team meets monthly to pray together, reflect on the previous gathering and prepare for the next one. They also hold an annual planning meeting, where they review feedback from a parent questionnaire, consider any changes that may be needed and plan themes for the coming academic year. These themes are often shaped to connect with both the school’s core values and the seasons of the Church year.
After 17 years, Sta’s4All continues to provide a welcoming space where families can gather, build relationships and explore faith together.
Commenting on Sta’s4All, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Liverpool’s Education Team said “Sta’s4all is an amazing new worship community that has grown and developed into an established worship community in the life of the hubs. Sta’s4all is routed in prayer enabling all individuals to flourish as people of God. It’s foundations of prayer have enabled many people to be introduced to Jesus, its monthly worship and support have encouraged deepening discipleship and they have grown Christian leaders. Sta’s4all is a great spiritual and practical support to St Aidan’s Billange Church of England Primary schools where is meets.”
Speaking about the anniversary of Sta’sAll, Helen Steele, Team Leader, said “It has been a privilege to grow in my spiritual journey alongside the growth and development of Sta’s4all over the 17 years that it has been running. It owes its success to the original vision and work of Paul Caine and Rev Alan Overend, the openness and input of the wonderful team of volunteers, but critically to the faithfulness of God, who has answered our prayers in amazing ways when things have been tough.”
