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
6 May 2008
MISSING
A number of Godly Play sets have been removed from Bouverie Court without being signed out. Someone else wants to use them and we have no contact details to locate them.
PLEASE return them as soon as possible, or let me know if you have any of them. These sets are heavily used at certain points of the year – and now seems to be one of them.
You can put a smile back on my face by sorting this out over the weekend – thank you!
The Diocesan guide to ‘Communion before Confirmation’ has now been updated in light of the new national Regulations introduced in 2006. Visit http://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/children/communionbefore.htm to download documents to help you introduce this, or to update your current practice. Please do not continue to follow the old guidelines – things have changed.
Do you want to find out more about Messy Church? Go to the Messy Church Fiesta on Saturday 14 June in Bedford to discover more. Visit http://www.messychurch.org.uk/pages/3604.htm to book, or contact martin.gee@brf.org.uk
Good to meet so many of you at the Rural Children, Rural Church day at the end of April. This is what you said:
The most helpful thing was:
being reassured we are not the only benefice struggling
lots of new ideas to try
realising that there are other things we can try to do for our church and the children
linking the highlights of the year in the village to something happening in the church
I also liked:
the laughter and fellowship
realising how much we share with other places
being inspired
planting seeds while singing in the closing worship
If you could not attend on 26th April, please let me know if you would like me to arrange another session later in the year.
In this issue:
ALF
What Children Think
Children's Centres and Extended Schools Exhibition
Safeguarding
Storytelling
Church Urban Fund
STAR Thought
Book Summary -TopTips on Promoting Prayer
ALF - About Life and Faith Top
The ALF materials are very good, and well-designed for use with unchurched children aged 7-11. To find out more about what is offered, and in particular about their ‘ALF Year of Outreach’ programme, visit http://www.ariseministries.org.uk/yearofoutreach.htm
What Children Think Top
Visit http://www.youthwork.co.uk/news/education-a-priority-for-children.html to read the highlights of a survey of 1,000 children aged 6-12 undertaken by CBBC’s Newsround. Education comes out top.
Children's Centres and Extended Schools Exhibition 24-25 June Top
If you are involved in a Children’s Centre or Extended Schools provision, a visit to this exhibition in London could be both helpful and inspiring. Visit http://www.ccandess.co.uk/nccs08/show_link2.asp for more details
Safeguarding/CRB Top
The new Safeguarding arrangements will start to come on line from the end of the year. If you would like to know more about the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) and the new legislation then visit: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/independentsafeguardingauthority/
The Diocese will issue updated instructions as the new arrangements are implemented.
Storytelling - in schools Top
Visit http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/events for details of creative training days being held in June and July to help you tell stories better.
Church Urban Fund Top
Visit http://www.seedsofhope.co.uk/involved.html to find some delightful children’s activities to download. They are designed for use in fund-raising for the Church Urban Fund. Do support this worthwhile cause with the children you work with.
STAR Thought Top
The message of the Bible is . . .that into the confusion of our world, with its divisions and hatred, has come a message of transforming power, and those who believe it will experience within themselves the power that makes for reconciliation and peace on earth.
Thomas Merton
Book Summary Top
Top Tips on Prompting Prayer by Sarah Bingham and Vicki Blyth, published by Scripture Union £2.99 isbn 978 184427 322 5
In the bible, GOD communicates by speaking face-to-face, in dreams, visions, through creation, through his people, and in person (Jesus)
The Bible offers us many titles for talking to GOD – Creator, Redeemer, Healer, Provider, Saviour, Counsellor, Friend, Father etc. which of these do we use and why? Are these helpful for children?
Prayer changes us
Human relationships need communication, so does our relationship with GOD
Children need to see that prayer matters to us
Help children to use Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplications (ACTS) to bring balance to their prayers, or Thanks, Sorry, Please (TSP)
Engage all the senses
aural – not just words but song, music or percussion
visual – pictures, candles, objects, designing a Powerpoint, creating a picture
taste – different tastes to support different ideas
scent – incense, scented candles, flowers, cut fruit
tactile – plasticine, prayer beads, holding Cross
movement – dancing, picking up a stone, handwashing
Use the Bible
memory verses as reminder prayers
use a psalm
identify with Bible characters who prayed
Explain the value of individual prayer for when children are alone
Top Tip: cultivate your own prayer life and welcome any prayer initiatives taken by the children.