|TOP|The Church of Scotland is continuing to gain success in reaching out at the grassroots level to kids around the local community.

Frances Henderson is one of many ministers that have been brought in by the Kirk to bring the Word to where the children are.

The 35-year-old has just started Church of Scotland outreach work in Loanhead, Edinburgh, where she will be responsible for co-ordinating work with children and families in the local community, reports Midlothian Today.

The outreach work will focus primarily on extending the interaction of the Church with local youth beyond the highly successful junior church which takes place every Sunday morning.

|AD|Two lunchtime groups have been set up at the local Paradykes primary and one at Loanhead primary school to provide a fun and interactive environment for youngsters to learn about the Bible. Each session lasts half an hour and incorporates fun games and videos.

And so far Miss Henderson’s work has been very rewarding: "It has been such a welcoming place," she said. "I am getting to know the places and people. The primary schools have been great. I'm having a superb time."

The associate minister will also support a new group meeting that offers workshops, quizzes and games just recently launched by the parish church and still in its fledgling stages. It is hoped the JAM – or Jesus and Me group – will become a regular weekly event following the summer holidays.

Miss Henderson is also working on ways to extend and improve the current outreach work with local families.

"There are several young families in and around the church that I am building links with. We are trying to find ways of catering for a younger generation with younger needs.

"There is already a lively evening service up and running and we are looking at, perhaps over time, doing parenting courses," added Miss Henderson.

The former primary school teacher completed a divinity degree at Edinburgh University in 2004 before beginning a 15-month probation – a full-time youth post – as an assistant minister in Upper Tweeddale.