June is the National Month of Prayer for toddler group ministries. Organised by 1277 Make Them Count – a Network of church-based Toddler Group leaders – the month of prayer encourages churches to pray for the work of their toddler groups as they reach out to serve the needs of local families.

This year’s theme is ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’. Leaders are being encouraged to create a sheep representing their toddler group. These will form a flock which will gather in parliament on 1st June to launch the month of prayer.

Jo Gordon, co-founder of 1277 Make Them Count, is gathering the varied sheep. ‘I’m thrilled to see sheep being sent from far and wide – Cardiff, Exeter, Manchester, Co Antrim and little villages like East Ardsley near Wakefield. The variety of sheep is vast, representing the diversity of toddler groups. Adults and children have knitted, crotched, crafted and made us of cotton-wool balls in abundance!’

She continues, ‘Last week the congregation at St Cuthberts in Wembley held some of the sheep and prayed for each one. We are passionate about children and families discovering the loving nurturing care of Jesus our shepherd wherever their group is found.’

Throughout June a wealth of resources are available on the 1277 website. From making hats to sheep trails, prayer stations involving different aspects of the scripture to daily prayer prompts highlighting the many breeds of sheep – there is something for everyone.

With over 20,000 churches estimated to be running toddler groups in the UK, it is so important for them to be supported in prayer.

The 1277 flock of sheep will join toddler group leaders and other community leaders at a reception in the Houses of Parliament on Monday June 1st to launch the month. A similar event will take place in Leinster House in Dublin on May 28th for toddler groups in Ireland.

Dip into the ideas, activities and articles on our website: https://1277.org.uk/national-monthof-prayer/; or the 1277 Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/1277makethemcount/

For further information, please contact: Joanna Gordon, leader of 1277 Make Them Count, at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07984042777.

What is 1277?

In the UK, a child has an average of 1277 days between birth and starting ‘nursery’. 1277 wants to make each of these days count. It is movement which is passionate about resourcing and supporting church-based toddler groups and the families whom they serve. It has a website www.1277.org.uk and active Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1277makethemcount/.