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Welcome to the May 2006 Children's Workers' newsletter. |
With Methodist Conference just around the corner it is an important time in the life of the Connexion. MethodistChildren will be at Conference this year and are hoping to meet many of the people involved in the support and delivery of children's work in local churches. This is just one way we continue to hear what is happening at the chalk face and you can read about another with our new Paperless Consultation below!
MethodistChildren Destinations Continuing on the work done from the on-line Audit we are delighted to offer you the MethodistChildren Destinations. These are distilled from the MethodistChildren Journey which we put on-line last month. A newly revised copy is available for comment on the website. The Destinations respond to the questions raised about what people could do with the Journey document as a whole.The Destinations are designed as a 'wish-list' for children's work in the Church, with the Journey being the fuller explanation of how we intend to get there. It is our intention to publish both of these documents after Conference. What we need now is more feedback from you, the users of MethodistChildren, as to how this 'wish-list' corresponds to work you are doing in your now and want to do in the future. We are offering you the Destinations in two ways - Download a copy of the Destinations here and use this to frame your thought process or discussion or you can take part in our Paperless Consultation!
Streaming Audio. Choose your internet connection speed: |
Download the podcast which contains the outlines and discussions around the Destinations. Then, with permission, tape the resulting discussion of the young people and children in your group and send it back to us in any format at MethodistChildren - but no paper! |
Training and CORE Skills
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Calling all those who have training responsibility for those working with children. Have you booked in for the Training event of 2006?First Steps Some of you may be aware of the Methodist Church Baptism Resources, First Steps. These materials were produced a number of years ago and it is now felt that they need to be replaced with a new package of resources for children, churches, parents, and ministers. Building on the success of 'All This for You' we are starting work this summer. We need to hear from anyone who has thought about baptism resources and wants to offer some thoughts, suggestions, or just to chat through what you think we need to do or how we need to do it. Contact us at MethodistChildren as we move forward to producing new material for the whole Connexion. Either e-mail us children@methodistchurch.org.uk or call us on 020 7467 5213 |
45 mile yomp for JMA!
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Congratulations to Martin Thomas, a Junior Church leader at Loughborough Trinity Methodist Church, on completing the Four Inns Walk on 1 April. Martin works for a construction company and he and his wife, Barbara, have sons aged 15 and 11. The Four Inns Walk is a tough competitive walk in the Peak District, approximately 72km (45 miles) long. The Walk takes its name from the four hostelries along its route - The Isle Of Skye Inn (site of), Snake Pass Inn, Nags Head and Cat & Fiddle. It is organised by the Scouts and some 300 people take part annually. Carrying 35lbs of weight in his rucksack – water, first aid supplies, spare clothing - Martin trekked over some of the roughest moorland in Britain. In spite of starting with a large blister and getting soaked in the first thirty minutes he (and his team) kept going through snow, hail, yet more rain and the odd patch of sunshine.|
MAYC News from Rachel Appleyard This year I went to Easter People in Scarbrough and had a great week leading worship with my band b4u in the Grand Hall. Each morning begain with an all age celebration led by John Hardwick and this guy could certainly demonstrate some energy at 9am! If you've not heard of him or seen his resources, then check out his website http://www.johnhardwick.org.uk/ to see what he does and how you can get some of that endless energy and enthusiasm into your all age worship. And if you want something a bit different, have a look at www.b4u.org.uk to find out about a great new CD and songbook with brand new songs from my band, b4u.
The MAYC Summer Skool is open for bookings and we hope you'll download a form and come to this great course for young people interested in the creative arts. For more information contact oands@mayc.info or visit www.mayc.info to download a booking form
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Resources Update
Visit www.scriptureunion.org.uk for these and all their other resources
From Barnabas at BRF comes Where do babies come from? This is a delightfully illustrated hardback book designed for use with young children asking questions about the birth of children, perhaps a new arrival into the family. It explains the basics in an accessible and informative manner. In the same series of illustrated books to help children grow is Where did Grandad go? looking at issues around death and heaven. Both books are £5.99 from www.brf.org.uk
If you're interested in children and play - take a look at this new website: http://www.playengland.org.uk A new and growing resource for local playgroups, toddler |
New from Scripture Union comes So who is God?, A fresh look at the questions children often ask about God. SU says ' Using the Bible with integrity to point the way to God and helping readers understand what God means to them, this brilliantly illustrated book contains witty but sensitive cartoons and real-life photos. Containing brain-teasers, memory verses, and fascinating facts this is not just another Bible information book.' Price £9.99 
Also from SU is a range of CDs. Light for Everyone is ' A double CD of 17 specially written songs linking with the key themes in the Light syllabus for children aged between 5 - 11, covering a broad range of biblical themes. Plus a booklet containing the words to the songs, a Powerpoint-style presentation of the song lyrics, and printable sheet music for each song. There are suggestions for using the songs all the way through Splash! for Leaders and Xstream for Leaders' . Price £9.99
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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! |
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From the Diocese of Exeter PETEROCK - a fab festival for children in the cathedral! SATURDAY 1 JULY 1015-1600 |
Changes in Children's work This year sees many changes in children's work in the various denominations we work with. At the Church of England we say goodbye to an old friend, Diana Murrie, who has served as National Children's Officer and also to Margaret Withers who has been the Archbishops Officer for Evangelism among children. Part of both these posts have been given to a new post, the National Children's Adviser, and we are delighted to offer congratulations to Mary Hawes, Children's Adviser to the Diocese of London, who has just been appointed. Mary is a good friend of MethodistChildren and we are looking forward to working together with her under Covenant. Margaret is heading off to work with BRF and we will continue to work closely with her on issues around children and evangelism. At the United Reformed Church we said goodbye to their Children's Advocate as she retired. Rosemary Johnston has worked very closely with us over the last few years and we have benefitted greatly from partnership working. That post has been redefined as a Children's Development post for one year and an appointment has been made. We look forward to working with Jo Williams who has a wealth of experience as a children's worker in London. |
Respecting Children
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Respecting Children is a |
If
you require any further information please contact us on children@methodistchurch.org.uk MethodistChildren is part of the Connexional Team of the |
