The church that runs the fair

When some members of the congregation at Trinity Church, Cheltenham, got to know a couple of single mums through its parent and toddler group, they became aware of some of their needs. It was clear that many of them struggled and faced huge challenges - and that they hadn’t been welcomed by some churches in the past.

“So when a visiting speaker mentioned a single parents’ fair,” says church member Kath Lynch, “an idea took root for us and we developed it.”

The church ran its first fair in 2001. Publicity was put out in schools, playgroups, nurseries, agency offices, and every shop that would take a poster was given one.

At the fair, advice stalls offered practical help – with finance, housing, benefits and getting back to work. Care for the Family was represented with its own stall. And then there were the treats – a beauty room where mums could have haircuts, manicures and more. There were second hand toys and clothes available, and a photographer took shots of family groups, which were delivered to the families’ homes after the event. Gift bags were given out to everyone.

The children had their own entertainment – including arts and crafts, and circus skills workshops. And all this was offered free of charge – the church’s gift to the families.

The fair, which now runs annually, draws in large numbers – 60 families attended the first event, and now 150 families form a queue outside the church, waiting for the event to begin. Trinity has become known locally as “the church that runs the fair”.

And Tandem – as the single parents’ ministry is called – has developed still further. The church holds monthly Saturday coffee mornings, where single parents make friends over coffee while activities are laid on for the children. A team of mechanics from the church service the parents’ cars every Spring. At Christmas, church members deliver hampers to the families – and they have started to have weekends away together.

The hidden talents of many church members have been discovered through Tandem – not only the mechanics, but the hairdressers and tax experts – and even a stilt walker! Tandem has used them all.

Yes, Trinity is a large church, so it’s able to finance the work. But Kath doesn’t believe that this excludes smaller churches from reaching single parents.

“It’s all about making connections,” she says. “If your church doesn’t have the resources for a fair yet, what about a coffee morning, lunch or games afternoon? Our experience has been that if there’s something to appeal to the children, the parents will bring them along.

“It begins with seeking God’s heart for these families. It’s fine to start small – we did!”

The church has certainly grown since 2001 - and some of the single parents have themselves helped to swell the congregation.

“Some come to services, and maybe join Alpha and some are now active members of our church family - like Gill, a single mum with two teenage sons. She enjoyed Tandem so much that she looked to see what else the church had to offer.”

But swelling the congregation isn’t the aim of Tandem. “It’s about showing God’s love in a practical way, and building a bridge into the community,” says Kath. “We believe that he wants to see them feel loved, valued and dignified. As people realised that the church was welcoming and not judging, a bridge was built into our community.”

Click to find out more about Care for the Family's Single Parent Family project.

Last Updated 13 December 2010