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
WANTED! As we follow this year’s strand of the diocesan strategy, Releasing Ministry, I am starting to look for examples of children being involved. Does your church help children to release their ministry? Can you share any examples of children ministering within or on behalf of the church? Please get in touch so we can share ideas and good practice.
WANTED! Responses from children! Fair Play – have your say is a consultation from the government about helping children to have better access to outdoor play. Please visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1546 and then assist the children you work with to respond.
WANTED! If you are planning to bring children to Peterfest at the Cathedral on Saturday 28 June, please can you let me know – as well as sending back the reply slip on the advertising flier? It would really help to have a vague idea of how many children to expect…
DOUBLE WANTED!! I need at least 2 helpers for the hour of programmed children’s activities at Peterfest 1.30-2.30 – to help with games, safety and supervision. No skills required (though CRB clearance would be good), but if you enjoy children’s company and delight to see them at the heart of a church event you could be just the person I am seeking. In return for a lively, fun-packed hour I will give you heart-felt thanks and a FREE fish-and-chips lunch. Please volunteer now or add this need to your prayer list. Thank you!
FINAL WANTED! If your parish ordered and used the Leaves of Life resources from The Children’s Society, NOW is the time to send back the ‘My Church’ postcards to the Society + details of any plans you have to implement the children’s ideas.
In this Issue:
New Web Resources from Scripture Union
Abstract Concepts for Children
Children Busy in Lent
Updating the Children's Corner
Creative Communion
Postcards
Best Children's Book Ever
STAR Thought
New from Scripture Union Top
They say: 10,000 free online activities – with more added every 3 months!
LightLive is a new website which puts a multitude of Bible-based activities and ideas at your fingertips – and it’s free of charge! It is designed by Scripture Union to help you tailor material to the specific needs of your children and young people’s group(s) or congregation. Go to www.lightlive.org – and remember, it’s absolutely FREE!
access the bank of activities and ideas
enrich your programme with multimedia resources
search, save and print – all from one website
Abstract Concepts for Children Top
Much of what we want to share with children about our faith is abstract. Read this article for some insights on how to do this with small children: http://www.childrensministry.com/article.asp?ID=1778 and be ready to change your current practice!
Children Busy in Lent Top
Visit http://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/children/lentjourney.htm to see and read about what happened with and for children at St Mary’s, Peterborough during Lent 2008 – and be inspired to try something similar!
Updating the Children's Corner Top
If the time has come to update the children’s corner, take a look at the new ‘Friends Around the World Playmat’ for sale from Galt Educational. It is big, 3m diameter, it is expensive, £300 but it is excellent J
Creative Communion Top
This new book on imaginative ways to share Communion with people of all ages, is the one book you should read this year! We have copies of it in both Resource Centres for you to borrow, but it would be well-worth buying a copy to share round your church family. It is easy to read, it is inspiring – but it will probably make you want to change the way everyone approaches Communion! Read a short article by one of its authors, Margaret Withers, at: http://www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk/pages/3853.htm
Postcards Top
If your children’s group takes a break over the summer, take the opportunity to send each child a postcard to let them know you haven’t forgotten them. You could send them a picture from wherever you are on holiday, or you could try www.vistaprint.com to get free postcards that you can design yourself – and pay for around £3 for the postage on 50. At Vistaprint you can design your own card, so you could include a Bible verse, and the name of the children’s group in full-colour on the front. All children love mail – and rarely receive it.
You could provide ready-stamped cards for the children to post to each other in August.
Best Children's Book Top
A survey by Booktrust reports that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the best children’s book of all time, followed by The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series came third. The best loved author was Roald Dahl. Ask the children you work with whether they agree!
Can you use this information in the run-up to the release of Prince Caspian on Thursday 26 June?
STAR Thought Top
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God
Or
Faith is the link that connects our weakness with God’s strength