Sunday afternoons are the new Sunday mornings in Gulval and Madron parish community thanks to the hard work of Revd Jo Thomas.

Family life is busy and whether it’s a football match, the only time to do a food shop or a moment to rest, it can sometimes be hard for families to make a morning church service too – so Families@4 has become a solution for many.

Revd Jo Thomas has created space in St Thomas LMCh, Heamoor, church for parents and children of all ages to meet once a month on a Sunday at 4pm. The session includes craft activities, songs, bible stories, cakey tea and a place to connect.

Revd Jo says: “In days gone by, everyone would go to church as a family and do nothing else. These days both parents are working and Sundays are the only days families get to see each other. So, 4pm is a really good time to get families fed with a hearty meal and for them to have time to be with others.”

The sessions started three years ago to welcome baptism families and make the church their home. There are now around 45 people attending each month. It’s open to all members of the community – from those who are used to church to those who have never been, from those from more prosperous backgrounds to those from more struggling areas.

Revd Jo said: “The aim is to make it somewhere for the whole family.

“I like to think, what would Jesus do? Jesus would tell stories, he would feed people, he gathered people together and he prayed. I try to show who Jesus is and if I am asked a curious question, I answer it. We eat together over a meal like Jesus told us to.

“There are stories all the time about families coming to us and finding a place, a community, and belonging with no judgement. They love it, no one is judging them.”

Before each session starts, Revd Jo goes out to buy food for a traditional teatime. There are sandwiches, sausage rolls, cake and fruit – and Revd Jo prays over every single item of food as she prepares it.

She says: “When I am making the sandwiches, I pray. Every sandwich is prayed over.

“I want people to come and feel loved and cared for and nurtured. I want it to be a place of safety and compassion.”

Revd Jo says Families@4 sessions are ‘organic’ and she has seen God at work there. Once she had the idea of providing a sofa for nursing mothers to sit on – and not soon after, she was given a free leather settee.

Revd Jo believes if there wasn’t Families@4, some members of the community would never experience church.

She says: “It can be chaotic at times, but it is very precious.”