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Welcome to the May 2007 Children's Workers' newsletter. |
With Pentecost at the end of the month many of us will reflect on that wonderful story of the first disciples feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit empowering them to do their work. At this time of year we are all perhaps in need of a little Holy Spirit boost to get us through the last few weeks of our children's ministries programmes! As hard as it may seem this is a great opportunity to be thinking about the next steps for the work you are doing with children - is this the time for you to rethink your programme for the future, to retrain for your work, or to re-examine resources? Take some time over the next few weeks to evaluate how you feel this last session has gone and make room for a top up of spiritual energy!
Peacebuilders has launched!
One of our partners is the Henry Martyn Institute in Hyderabad, which works to build peace in communities around India, especially where there has been conflict. The Director, Andreas d’Souza, lit a candle to mark the beginning of our project together and I handed over a Peace Box made by children from London, full of hopes and commitments for peace. The project invites all user groups to make a Peace Box and share ideas for peace with their local communities. Find out more at www.peacebuilders.info
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Your minister will be receiving a copy of our new Peacebuilders project, complete with DVD, in June. We were able to launch Peacebuilders with our partners in India at Easter, while the Vice-President of Conference was on an official visit.
We know that many of you will be having a JMA service soon to present those hard working collectors in your church with certificates and badges. Hopefully you will be utilising the service material we prepare for you but we have also been asked to supply a presentation that you could use in the church to tell people more about JMA's work. So we made one for you! You can download the Powerpoint here! |
JMA Powerpoint | The Space between words ‘Do you do quiet with your children?’ is the burning question tackled by Martyn Payne in a thought-provoking and useful article this month on the brf website. The feature article looks at the issue of giving children an opportunity for reflection. There is no doubt that most of us are very good at doing ‘lively and loud’, but what about space for ‘thinking time’? Check out some thought-provoking comments and practical ideas in Martyn's article http://www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk/pages/3273.htm It may inspire you to sign up for the monthly update from the Barnabas team or look at Companions in Christ, the recent MethodistChildren resource which is ideal for developing the attitude of stillness and other prayer skills. Available from mph, a Christian bookshop or Amazon. |
Not for SaleOn 25th March we commemorated the abolition of the Slave Trade. On 20th May 2007 we will be engaging with the issue of the modern slave trade - human trafficking for sexual exploitation. It is estimated that over 4,000 women are trafficked into the UK every year. There is evidence of over 80 young people who have been trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation over the last 3 years. There are free quality downloadable resources on www.notforsalesunday.org to help you prepare some prayer or awareness raising on Not for Sale Sunday on 20th May 2007. You can find out more at www.chaste.org.uk The Good Childhood Enquiry This is the UK’s first national enquiry into childhood. Commissioned by The Children’s Society it aims to review society’s understanding of childhood for the 21st century, to inform, improve and inspire all of our relationships with children. The enquiry’s ‘my life’ microsite www.mylife.uk.com is now gathering information on the theme of learning. Children and young people throughout the UK are invited to have their say on a variety of questions including, ‘What makes a good teacher?’ ‘Do you feel under pressure at school?’ ‘Is your school preparing you for life?’ After 24th July, the site will move to its next theme ‘ ‘lifestyle’. This enquiry depends on collecting information from the people who know – the children and young people. Please encourage them to take part. |
5 Bites at the Apple/Design & Deliver
Download the flyer for 5 Bites at the Apple/Design and Deliver here(pdf). For further details on the CORE weekend for workers contact jenny.lambourne@sheffield.anglican.org and for the trainers part of the weekend contact martinlambourne@btinternet.com Visit the CORE skills website for more details on CORE www.coreskillsforchurches.com |
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You can't get too much of a good thing, and as good things go in the world of training for children's work you cannot beat CORE Skills! There are many courses available across the country but, in case you cannot get to your local course, those clever people at CGMC thought they would offer a residential in June this year that will enable you to complete 5 modules of CORE Skills for Children's Work. And, as if this was not enough, they thought it would also be an excellent opportunity for those who want to be trained as trainers in CORE Skills to work together with the workers and learn professional training skills. Those who wish to become trainers can register for up to 18 credits with the Open College Networks at level 3. The cost for the weekend in subsidised from the Westhill Endowment and the full weekend is £70 in standard rooms and £95 in en-suite. We are very keen to fill this weekend so even if you can only afford to pay your travel then please contact us!
Heart of Worship Over the Bank Holiday weekend three hundred people joined together in Llandudno to explore The Heart of Worship. There was time to share worship in different ways, listen to keynote speakers and attend workshops. The conference was vibrant and refreshing with a time for fellowship, exploration and discovery. Revd Dr James Ritchie a Methodist Minister in the USA was one of the keynote speakers and a specialist on intergenerational worship. His book Always in Rehearsal offers a new approach to incorporating children into the worshipping community. He also looks at ways to welcome, accommodate and celebrate all persons in worship. We are all the children of God. |
Resources Barnabas in Churches Top Tips BooksThe Top Tips series is designed to be concise and easy to read. A short, readable guide to explore what the Bible says about growing faith with families and reaching out to families. This book is packed with practical, fun ideas to strengthen or even kick-start a families ministry, making church 'family-friendly'! |
A Good Childhood? at St Paul's Cathedral
The Panel for each events feature an amazing line up of professionals from a wide variety of fields – these are not to be missed if you can make it to London for one, or all of them! |
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If
you require any further information please contact us on children@methodistchurch.org.uk MethodistChildren is part of the Connexional Team of the |
