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Welcome to the April 2006 Children's Workers' newsletter. |
Spring is here - well at least the calendars tell us if not the weather! This season of new life and the approach to Easter is a vibrant time in our work. A time to try new things and expand the possibilities for all we work with. Over the past few weeks we have been out and about working with many different groups of people in the Methodist Church and beyond. Being together and sharing is such an important part of all that we do and we hope that all we hear contributes to the work we continue to develop on behalf of children and children's workers in The Methodist Church. We hope this issue of our
e-newsletter provided you with some food for thought.
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District Day with MethodistChildren We were delighted to welcome representatives from a majority of the districts to Methodist Church House on Saturday 11th March. The day was a great success with us all being able to share our hopes and dreams for children's work in the Methodist Church. It affirmed for all of us the fact that children's work in our Church continues to flourish, with work developing in many new ways. After the day we asked some of those who participated to write a few words for us - Hello from Darlington District where we have been reshaping our District Children and Youth |
Team. About 2 years ago we began to raise the profile of work with young people and began by auditing the provision in the District. This produced some interesting results and gave us a base to begin to ask, 'What support do the young people and leaders want from the District?' I gathered together a representative from each circuit and realised there was a need for a good electronic communication system so the District Leaders' Website is shaped and underway. We planned and had a really good District celebration with all leaders who worked with children and young people last November as a way of letting them know they are appreciated and valued. We worshipped together, chatted, had a variety of workshops and two cracking key note speakers and left feeling re-energised and rarin' to go!! It's a start and we are planning to continue to value our leaders and provide quality opportunities for the children to experience God - in whatever form that takes!! 
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Children at Worship: Congregations in Bloom
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It isn't every day you get the chance to hear about worship development in the American Episcopal Church, but with Caroline Fairless visitng the UK it was an opportunity that many took up. It was wonderful to be told before the event that there was a waiting list for participants and even better to arrive there and see people from so many different backgrounds and worship approaches. Caroline outlined the approach that is contained in her book Children at Worship, Congregation in Bloom, which tells how if a congregation gets worship with children right, then everything else follows. The event was thought provoking and made many think about the journey we have already come in many churches here and also think about the next steps. Visit the website Covenanting with the Church of England MethodistChildren were delighted to receive their annual invitation to attend the Diocesan Children's Advisers' Conference. We spent three days working with our Covenant Partners exploring many aspects of work with children through keynote sessions, workshops, and informal conversations. The main speakers were Caroline Fairless and Jim Simms whose book is mentioned above. All through the conference we heard the importance of working together to achieve as much as we can for the children in our churches and we would echo that sentiment to you. Make sure you know what the Diocesan Children's Adviser in your area is offering and see where we can work together under Covenant. |
9-13 News Thank you to Debbie Rainey’s group in Bristol who have responded to the American Pen Pal request. We look forward to hearing how your groups are getting on. We are at present working on the 9-13s web pages and still looking for input from you, your children and young people. This could be run as a project with your group: Hold a brainstorming session with your group and send me the details and suggestions. Some ideas for pages: Music, film and book reviews What do you think? How about setting up your own webpage, these can be hidden from search engines and set up so they can only be accessed if you have the web address. See Resources on www.methodistchildren.org.uk Event - Inside Out 11-16yrs, St Laurence Church , Union Street Chorley 15th July 06Check it out www.insideoutyouthinfo.info The Methodist District Children's Holiday at Carroty Wood Activity Centre in Tonbridge is short of helpers for this years holiday, 30th July - 5th August and need at least six more volunteers to make it run. If you are over 16 and interested please contact Harvey Richardson for more details, 020 8676 1237. |
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CORE
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Bookings for the CORE conference are now starting to arrive with CGMC and initial indications are that the conference will book up fairly fast. If you are thinking of coming along then please get your booking form back as soon as you can to ensure a place. JMA News
We are delighted to hear of a number of places where you have accepted our challenge to raise money for the health unit in Pakistan. Horley Methodist Church in Redhill and East Grinstead circuit are holding a sponsored swim on the 20th May with the money going towards this important project. We wish them well in this. Look at the new pictures on the Children's website in the gallery section! |
It may be difficult to believe but we have just made the best even better (so we hope!) The April edition of Rainbow sports not only a new look but a new structure. We have worked hard to develop Rainbow into a resource that clearly echoes the JMA promise of Learn, Pray, and Serve. Each of these acts as a themed header for Rainbow and various stories and activities can be found under each of them. We hope that this will provide an easier way in for all children and those working with JMA as a mission resource. One clear message for this new Rainbow is emblazoned on the front cover - Rainbow is free for all children! We feel it is important at this time to remind everyone that Rainbow is produced for children of all ages not only for those collecting for JMA. Rainbow is an educational resource that helps us all think about the rest of the World Church and our connections within it. We are happy to send multiple copies to anyone that wants it and so if you don't receive Rainbow and would like to, then call us! |
The Baptism Cube
Question: Jesus was baptised in which river? Send answers and address to children@methodistchurch.org.uk Youth Day at CRE Thursday 11 May 2006 is Youth Day at the national Christian Resources Exhibition. Church House Publishing will be running three very special events on 11 May to launch the following new books:
Making Sense of Generation Y: the world view of 15-25 year olds (Bob Mayo, Sara Savage, Sylvia Collins-Mayo and Graham Cray). Jonny Baker, Mission Advisor for Youth and Emerging Church for CMS, in discussion with the authors of this groundbreaking new research.
Mission-shaped Children: moving towards a child-centred church (Margaret Withers). The Archbishops' Officer for Evangelism among Children, Margaret Withers, discusses her new book.
Youth Emmaus 2: Big Issues and Holy Spaces (Dot Gosling, Sue Mayfield, Tim Sledge, Tony Washington). Come and experience a Youth Emmaus worship session with author Tim Sledge, at the launch of this exciting follow-up to the highly successful Youth Emmaus. There will also be a CORE workshop on the 11th May run by MethodistChildren! |
Those clever colleagues at the Church of England have done it again! Just released is the new 'Baptism Cube', following in the same vein as the 'Communion Cube' it brings the meaning of baptism to children in a fun and informative manner. As with the Communion Cube it is accompanied by a book for children It is a beautiful personal reminder of this special day and one that a child can return to again and again. It can be used by adults and children together, or in more formal baptism preparation and includes a number of inspiring ideas on ways to use the material creatively. An ideal gift for children aged 3+. The cube is available at £5.99 and the book £6.99 from |
Taking action on the trafficking of women and girls in Europe Women's Network is equipping the Methodist Church to take action on this issue. Link to Operation Pentameter |
No place for a child Last year the UK government locked up over 2000 children - not for committing any crime, but simply for bureaucratic convenience as a part of the asylum process. The decision is taken by an immigration official and without any judicial intervention. |
Global day of Prayer for Nepal 8 & 9 April 2006
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You will remember our coverage in Rainbow of the 50th anniversary of the United Mission to Nepal.|
If
you require any further information please contact us on children@methodistchurch.org.uk MethodistChildren is part of the Connexional Team of the |
