Children's Special Service Mission

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Children's Special Service Mission was the original name, from 1867, of the organisation now called Scripture Union. Begun by Thomas 'Pious' Hughes and Josiah Spiers in Islington, London, this evangelical Christian movement was less formal than the Sunday Schools of the day and attracted children who in turn brought their friends.

CSSM grew into a loosely organised international movement that included missions in buildings, and beach missions.

[edit] Beach Mission

Arguably the most visible mission operated by CSSM and now Scripture Union has been the beach mission.

Volunteers set up large tents at popular seaside sites where people spend summer holidays, typically for two to three weeks. Missioners typically live in tent and caravan parks, in accommodation tents, and have marquees that are used for daytime and night meetings and activities for the children and adults.

Parents see the beach mission as a safe place for children to have some time in their day, and give the parents free time. The children have fun, and this and the ongoing program encourages them to return through the weeks of the mission and in successive years when the family returns to that place.

Some beach missions also make use of nearby church halls for teenage activities, such as a coffee shop or to stage a dance.

[edit] Missioners

Participants are organised under a leader whose task it is to manage the camp and its activities. Sub-leaders take responsibility for various aspects, such as: young children's activities, Primary School age activities, teenage activities, tents, cooking, cleaning, materials (printed and otherwise), music, and so on.