Bubble Church training inspires fresh family ministry across the Diocese

Churches from across Peterborough Diocese and beyond gathered at Christ the King Church, Kettering, for a lively Bubble Church training day on Tuesday 13 October.

Bubble Church team members pose outdoors with a collection of puppets in front of a colourful Bubble Church banner.

October 19, 2026 October 19, 2026

Churches from across Peterborough Diocese and beyond gathered at Christ the King Church, Kettering, for a lively Bubble Church training day on Tuesday 13 October.

Bubble Church is a 30-minute Sunday service created especially for young families. With puppets, play, worship, food and coffee, it offers a relaxed, welcoming adventure in which children and adults can take part together.

Organised by the Diocesan Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Team in partnership with the national Bubble Church team, the day gave clergy, lay ministers and volunteers an opportunity to discover a fresh and joyful way of helping babies, toddlers and their families encounter Jesus.

A group of adults seated in a modern church watch a presentation featuring colourful puppets, with a speaker at a lectern and a puppet displayed at the front of the room.

The training day was full of practical ideas, energy and encouragement as participants explored creative ways to share the love of Jesus and considered what Bubble Church could look like in their own communities.

A collection of Bubble Church puppets arranged across several chairs in a church hall, each dressed in colourful clothing and positioned ready for a children's ministry or worship session.

Bubble Church has been established for over a year in Desborough and is already bearing fruit. The Revd Jo Giles, Curate at St Giles, shared their experience saying: “Our Bubble Church in Desborough has been so popular that we’re just about to start another service in Braybrooke! I love it when the children arrive for breakfast, full of excitement and ready to worship.”

Chad Chadwick, from the Diocesan CYPF Team, said the approach helps churches recognise the gifts already present in their congregations: “One of the things I value most about Bubble Church is that it shows you don’t need to be an expert to engage with younger generations. Everyone is valued and part of the team.”

The Revd Becky Dyball described the event as “utterly bubbletastic”, thanking the Bubble Church team for their passion, energy and enthusiasm, and everyone who came ready to get involved. She said: “It has been such an encouragement to explore together what might be possible across the Diocese. Here’s to making space for more families to discover church, build friendships and encounter Jesus.”

The CYPF Team supports churches of every shape and size to find creative ways of engaging with children, young people and families. Whether your church has a thriving ministry with younger generations or is just getting started, contact louise.skinner@peterborough-diocese.org.uk for more information.