STAR
Support, Training And Resources
An e-bulletin from the Diocese of Peterborough's
Children's Missioner, Rona Orme
Email: rona.orme@peterborough-diocese.org.uk
Website: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/children
Children and Bereavement training Day
Wednesday 16 February 10-4 at Bouverie Court
A repeat of the excellent day led by trainers from Edward’s Trust in Bisbrooke. Cost: £30, to include a sandwich lunch, payable on booking. There are a maximum of 18 places available for this event. Book with Gillian.spokes@peterborough-diocese.org.uk as soon as possible. It is suitable for clergy, licensed lay ministers, teachers, governors and all who work with children
and families. Contact Rona Orme at rona.orme@peterborough-diocese.org.uk for further information.
Certificate in Children’s Ministry New from September 2011
If you work regularly with children, the diocese is now offering you the chance to undertake some training and receive accreditation for the work you do in your benefice. The training can be completed in a year by doing 4 modules, completing assignments and undertaking a project. The modules will include CORE Skills for children’s work, More CORE Skills, Introduction to Studying the Bible and a module on using the New Testament. You can read more, and download the flier at: : www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/downloads/childrensministry.pdf
You are also welcome to contact Rona Orme at rona.orme@peterborough-diocese.org.uk if you wish to find out more.
STARBURST 2011
Advance notice that STARBURST will take place on Saturday 7 May 10-4 at All Saints’ Primary School, Northampton, doors open at 9.30am. £10 per person (junior leaders free). Booking is now open by e-mail to Gillian.spokes@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 01604 887048. Full details in the new year but you will want to get the date straight into your new diary!
In this issue:
Help with using the set lectionary readings with children or in an all-age setting
Advent Conspiracy
The Nativity – drama on the BBC
Shoe Aid for Africa
Cheer for Christmas!
STAR Thought
Poem for Christmas
Help with using the set lectionary readings with children or in an all-age setting Top
There is a great website and blog, from the US, that posts in advance thoughts and ideas about the set readings at: http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/ . Well worth a bookmark!
If you want more ideas, check out the LectionaryLive section of www.scriptureunion.org.uk website. Register as a user of LightLive, and then explore the resources to find the LectionaryLive material.
A third place to look is: www.bathandwells.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=children.content&cmid=540. Again, it is worth bookmarking this for the occasions when your standard material, such as ROOTS, doesn’t provide what you need.
Advent Conspiracy Top
We still have plenty of time to publicise the Advent Conspiracy. Where can you project this, or recommend the link? www.adventconspiracy.org . You may also wish to follow www.readysteadyslow.org as part of your own Advent observance.
The Nativity – drama on BBC1 Top
BBC1 is screening a four-part drama recounting the events of the birth of Jesus before 9pm just before Christmas. It is well worth encouraging people to watch it. Publicise it on pewsheets, mention it in sermons. Find out more at: www.nativitydrama.info
And the Paperless Christmas from BRF is a website to recommend!
www.paperlesschristmas.org.uk Great for families and older children to explore.
Shoe Aid for Africa Top
Visit this website and ‘click’ to fund a pair of shoes for someone who needs them in Africa: www.shoeaidforafrica.org . It is being sponsored by Kiwi – the shoe polish people.
Cheer for Christmas! Top
After this has raised a smile for you, think how you can find a way to share it with families: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
STAR Thought Top
There are no straight lines or cause and effect where holiness is concerned. It’s more the case that God uses whatever space we make for whatever God has in mind, wherever it may be possible.
Archbishop Rowan Williams
Poem for Christmas Top
What the Donkey saw by U A Fanthorpe
No room in the inn, of course,
And not that much in the stable
What with the shepherds, Magi, Mary,
Joseph, the heavenly host –
Not to mention the baby
Using our manger as a cot.
You couldn’t have squeezed another cherub in
For love or money.
Still, in spite of the overcrowding,
I did my best to make them feel wanted.
I could see the baby and I
Would be going places together.