Church to use music to bring in youngsters

St James Church in Milton are planning to appoint a choir leader and admin clerk to set up the new group that will connect with children and families through the local primary schools in the parish, and could meet to rehearse and lead worship midweek.

It's one of several brand new congregations being launched across the Church of England's Diocese of Portsmouth.

Dr David Price, Master of Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral,  said: '˜We know that children can be the best evangelists of their own families.

'˜Music is a powerful evangelistic tool for the church, a tool that has been too often neglected of late.'

The staff appointed would be part of the cathedral's music outreach staff, building on the success of the '˜Cathedral Sing!' programme that sees choir members leading workshops in schools across the diocese.

They would also work closely with and under the guidance of the priest at St James, Milton.

The project has already received the support of the St James PCC and is expected to last for between two and five years, until the church plant can become self-supporting.