IT’S child’s play at a Peeblesshire church this spring! 

St Peter’s Church in Peebles will host Play Church, a child-sized altar aimed at helping children have fun and explore their faith. 

The event comes with a range of features to help children learn about the Holy Communion, baptism and more. The opportunity will enable the little ones who come along to dress-up in a variety of clothes, including a wedding dress and bishop’s robes.

The portable Play Church was created by the Scottish Episcopal Church to engage children’s interest and encourage them to learn through play about worship, God and the church. 

The Bishop of Edinburgh, the Right Revd Dr John Armes, recently dedicated the Play Church altar at a special service in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. 

He said: “I love our new Play Church initiative. It underlines that children are welcome in our services and are encouraged to be involved in their own way. May it also offer us the possibility of seeing faith through their eyes.”

In addition to visiting St Peter’s in Peebles, the Play Church will also travel to St Andrew’s in Innerleithen and around churches in the Edinburgh diocese for Lent and Easter.

Church members are encouraging residents to pop into St Peter’s, located by the bus stop on Peebles High Street and see the Play Church for themselves.

Rev Jim Benton-Evans told the Peeblesshire News: “Families across the area are especially welcome to attend, there will be a special all-age service to celebrate Play Church on Sunday, March 19 at 10.30am. 

“It will play an important part in all-age Easter celebrations taking place at St Peter’s from Thursday, April 13 until Sunday, April 16.”

For further details on the event and to find out more about future activities at St Peter’s, go visit the website at: www.stpeterspeebles.org.uk or the Facebook page @stpeterschurchpeebles.