I grew up in Dunham Town and was christened, confirmed and married in St. Mark's Church, Dunham Massey. My Nana would drop me off at church, having spent the night at her house. The church was quiet, with a small congregation, and at Sunday School we would listen to bible stories and then draw a picture. I later joined the choir and this kept me going to church until I was fourteen

After that I did not go to church for some considerable time. I told myself the world was my church and I could praise God out in the fields and lanes around where I lived. Assembly at Secondary School was the closest I came to collective worship. Had I not met Peter I may have still had that misguided point of view.

We married in 1985 and I wanted something like my old church to go to. Peter thought that a bigger church would have something more to offer us as a family. So at that point we did nothing. In 1990 when Natalie was two we came to Communion. It was so different to what I had been used to. I was shocked and upset and became stubborn. We did not come back for a few months but eventually I crawled out from under all the traditions I was wrapped in.

I came into church life reluctantly. I did not see the point in coming to sit and baby-mind my child in the crèche; she would not let me leave. These feelings wore off and I started to enjoy church. I began to help in the Beginners. Then I did Kaleidoscope training with David B. I felt valued and encouraged. As Natalie and Laura have grown in the church so have I. I started to run Shell Club at roughly the same time as helping in Junior Church. Preparing for these sessions has helped me increase my bible knowledge and strengthened my faith. Also doing bible study at night-time with Natalie and now Laura helps us grow as a family.

I did a day-time Alpha course which helped me understand areas of the bible and the meanings behind some of Jesus' teachings. I believe my faith is growing all the time. I did a brief spell in Playgroup and now I am leading Junior Church and Shell Club and just feel that things can only get better. I feel my faith has never been stronger and this is due to the church and my family and with God's help may it continue.

Dawn