Monday 23^rd September was the last playgroup for term three and we have made the decision not to continue Playgroup in term 4, except for one final session at the end of November to celebrate Christmas, present the children with their certificates, and bring to an end 15 years of Playgroup at Blackwood Uniting Church.

We haven’t taken this decision lightly, but numbers have been low for most of this year, and though new people have come most haven’t stayed. We can’t ask our volunteers to keep setting up, turning up, and packing up for only 2-3 families. Also a number of our volunteers are finding it hard to continue and we would struggle to find replacements for them.

We have had 15 wonderful years and have met many lovely families, mums, dads, grandparents and carers, seen literally hundreds of babies and toddlers grow up and move on to Kindy, school, ELC or many other life moves. And we have had dozens of wonderful volunteer helpers from Blackwood Uniting Church who have been the backbone of the service we have offered, to whom we say a very grateful Thank you.

If anyone who has been involved in Playgroup over the years would like to join us for our final Christmas session to celebrate 15 wonderful years of service to the community, we would love to see you, so put 25th November in your diary.

Marnie Agnew

 As a church, we want to recognise and celebrate a remarkable ministry with Playgroup for the past 15 years. As Marnie says, this is a significant decision, and one which comes from months of discernment. Every group and activity has its seasons in the life of a community. So we rest, we give thanks, and we prayerfully wait and see what the future brings. On Sunday morning 13th October in the 9.15am service we will take time to celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of Playgroup. 

 Craig Mitchell