Children and Families


“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 6:22

At DDYC, we want to encourage, equip, and empower churches to further their mission and ministry with children. There are a number of ways we do this…

JIGSAW Sunday Schools

JIGSAW is a ready-to-run Sunday school resource, with content for a full year of lessons. It uses teaching, memory verses, prayers and activities which make up the bigger picture of God’s love and His plan for our lives. It includes All–age service outlines which help Sunday Schools to share what they’re learning with the rest of the church family. The curriculum comprises two 3–year cycles and you can start at any point in the course.

Jigsaw has proved hugely popular with Sunday School teachers and is widely used, not only in our own diocese but in many other parts of the Church of Ireland. 

“Jigsaw has brought improved structure and cohesion to our Sunday Club. Having so much material prepared makes our job as Sunday Club leaders so much more enjoyable. Most importantly, the kids are really remembering the stories.” 

JAM Big Day Out

JAM is THE EVENT of the year! All P5's to First Years are invited to come along for a full day of action at the Kilbroney Centre in Rostrevor. The day begins with registration opening at 9am, and then we've got a whole HOST of activities, including archery, paintballing, treasure hunts, wide games, marshmallow toasting, Bible teaching, team challenges, a HUGE water fight, and lots, lots more!

Lunch is included, and the day finishes at 5pm. The cost of a day ticket is £10 per person, and this includes all of refreshments. Head over to our eventbrite page for tickets when they become available, and follow us on social media for more information.

Toddler Groups

For some children, attending a toddler group or a creche is their first regular opportunity to be with other people beyond their family circle. This gives them the chance to develop personal, social, and emotional skills through interacting meaningfully with other children their age in a different environment. Through playing, making friends, singing songs, following instructions, learning new things, and sharing toys with others, children are gaining invaluable developmental experience. This group might also be a child’s first interaction with the Gospel and provides an excellent opportunity for prayer, bible verses/songs and other ways to teach Jesus to the very young .

We’ve produced two helpful guides for churches who are interested in starting their own creche or toddler group in their parish. The guides include all the information you’ll need to get up and running. We can also offer practical support, so let us know if this is something you’d like to pioneer or grow in your context.

Holiday Bible Clubs

Every year we create a new holiday Bible club for churches to use with the children in their parish. We pack our curriculums with biblical content to help the young people to grow in their faith in a fun way. Each curriculum is designed to be age-appropriate and easy to adapt, with crafts, games, and stories that make the stories come alive. By focusing on themes that resonate with the season, we help churches create awesome experiences that build faith and community among kids during the holidays.

Holiday Bible Clubs are a great way for churches to make contact with children, especially those who might not have much regular contact with the church. If you would like help to run a holiday bible club, get in touch. We have a number of curriculums from previous years available to use, and would love to work with you to create a tailored curriculum for your parish. We can also offer training for your team.

Practical Support

The Diocese is committed to nurturing all aspects of children and family ministry, providing support for innovative initiatives like planting new Sunday schools and organizing impactful outreach events. Whether you're looking to launch a new program or enhance existing activities, we’re here to help every step of the way. Together, we can create vibrant, supportive communities that engage and inspire families in their faith journey. Whatever your needs, we’re ready to support you!