Welcoming the Children to St James …

...are Susana Field (Teacher) and Srishti Singh (Assistant Teacher).

Susana and Srishti are two members of the Children’s Church Team of St James who provide a weekly session especially for children whilst their parents/carers attend the Eucharist on Sundays at 11am. Here they discuss their backgrounds and how they work to achieve a positive and happy environment for the children.

Susana says:

“I grew up in Uruguay – a small and special Latin American country – studied for my

degree in teaching and pedagogy and started my career as a qualified primary and secondary school teacher in Montevideo. My mother was Catholic, and my faith was always part of my life. Then I married an English man, lived and worked in England, then Spain … until we came to Porto on holiday and liked it so much – because it was a safe city for us with a small child, there was a British school, and it all felt such an adventure – that we just stayed!

“I’d felt comfortable marrying my husband in an Anglican church in England, with

the emphasis on praying directly to God, so I found St James, which is also an Anglican

congregation, suited me. I’ve met some lovely people here, we have the same goals: to

worship, share our faith, and support one another.

“I now work for a French company, teaching adults English and Spanish for business

purposes. I also work in a voluntary capacity in Uruguay providing online sessions in English for children from deprived backgrounds.

“The different places I’ve worked mean I’m multi-lingual, speaking English,

Portuguese, Spanish, and French. This is very useful in my role at St James, because the congregation is international, and the children speak different languages, some just English, others only Portuguese. It is so helpful that Srishti is there too at Children’s Church, because we can divide our resources to speak with each of them in their own language.

“We delight in the small group of children, at present aged between five and eight

years old, though we are equipped to teach up to the age of 11. We take great pride in what we do, preparing carefully in consultation with Father Colin and Canon Colin, to make sure we are in line with what they will be talking about in the adult congregation.

“We always join the Congregation just in time for the children to receive a blessing.

Afterwards Father Colin and Canon Colin always talk to the children about what they have done in Children’s Church and the congregation really enjoy it and always give the children a round of applause!

“For Mothering Sunday, there were three Lectionary readings involving three

different biblical mums. We chose the story of Moses, because there was so much to talk about – his birth mother who loved her baby enough to let him go, and the princess who also loved and adopted him. It started a wonderful conversation about the importance of mothers and other people who care for us. The children spoke about a whole range of people, including their stepmums, grandmothers, and dogs!

“Srishti had the idea that the children should make Moses baskets out of snack boxes

and decorate them with flowers they picked from the grounds. A small garden of their own is planned, which I know the children will love.

“We take the safety of the children very seriously. All of our Children’s Church Team

have been trained in safeguarding and have criminal convictions clearance. We are strict about the exclusivity of the space for their activities, no other adults are allowed to pass through. If a child needs the toilet, either Srishti or I will wait outside to ensure their privacy. Srishti and I work very well together, and I admire her dedication.

“About the picture announcing Children’s Church, it was really touching how one of

the children drew it for us. We each have a copy, mine is hanging on my kitchen wall where I see it every day.”

Srishti says:

“Like Susana says, I love to encourage craft as well as art in Children’s Church. But most of all I am happy that the group is a safe place, a comfort to the children. It is good for them to know that they can turn not just to humans in their lives, but also to God. I was part of a junior church when I was growing up. I always felt that there was someone there – that I was not alone.

“I grew up in North India, close to Delhi, with a Christian mother and father, and one

brother. Missionaries in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition brought Christianity to that part of India, building schools and hospitals. So, I grew up in the faith, but when I was about 11 years old, I found my relationship with God for myself. I placed all my trust in Jesus. I believe my faith has also helped me step out of cultural expectations – I am so grateful to my parents for always giving me the wings to fly.

“Professionally, I am a chemist. I came to Europe in 2019 to pursue a Master’s degree

in Belgium, which eventually led me to this beautiful city of Porto through the Erasmus

programme. And since 2023 I’ve been enrolled as a PhD candidate in Biotechnology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto. My thesis focuses on the safety of paper-based food packaging materials, aiming to establish an approach for evaluating their potential chemical toxicity to humans and the environment.

“Everything is good. I fell in love with Porto. The professor who supervises me, and

my colleagues guiding me on this professional journey, together provide a valuable learning path. And I have found St James!

“The church grounds me. It is an accepting community, a close fellowship, and I

appreciate it being in English. I am very happy here.

“In my spare time? Well, I like to dance – with an Indian Bollywood group … It’s

joyful!”