The annual J-Team Holiday Club at Barham Church has once again proved a tremendous success, with 70 primary school-aged children taking part in this year's three-day programme.
While most participants come from the parish of Claydon and Barham, J-Team attracts children from across the wider Claydon Benefice and neighbouring parishes. The children are divided into three age-based groups and use different areas of the church and church hall. Two large marquee tents erected in the churchyard provide additional space for activities, lunch breaks and shelter from the summer weather.
On the afternoon of 13 August, around 20 volunteers could be found, hot, tired, but deeply satisfied, as they worked to return the church, hall and grounds to normal after hosting the 38th annual Holiday Club. The event concluded with a lively celebration service attended by parents, grandparents and other family members, giving them an opportunity to see what the children had been learning and enjoying throughout the week.
One of the most memorable moments came at the end of the service when 70 enthusiastic children joined together in a thunderous shout of "JESUS!" An uplifting finale that may have startled a few mums and dads, but perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the event.
This year's Holiday Club was an especially impressive achievement as it was delivered during a parish vacancy and in the midst of an amber heat warning. The church is enormously grateful to everyone who gave their time and talents to make the event possible. Behind the three days of activities lay many months of planning and preparation. Thanks to the dedication of the volunteer team, 70 children went home with happy memories, positive experiences of church life and a greater awareness of the Christian faith.
The church is also indebted to two generous benefactors from the local community whose gift of £200 funded additional outdoor games for break times and provided much-appreciated ice creams for every child and leader on the final afternoon. The Holiday Club is largely self-financing through a modest £16 fee per child, which covers costs such as craft materials and additional portable toilets. The generous donation also enabled the organisers to offer financial assistance to families who might otherwise have been unable to attend.
Having run continuously since 1987, J-Team has become an important part of community life. Its long-term impact can be seen in the fact that some of today's parents once attended the Holiday Club themselves. Memories of J-Team frequently resurface in conversations at weddings, funerals and other significant family occasions, demonstrating the lasting place it holds in the hearts of many local people.
As J-Team enters its 38th year, it continues to provide fun, friendship and faith-based learning for a new generation of children, while strengthening ties across the wider community.