The Methodist Church: Children's Workers' E-News

Welcome to the November 2005 Children's Workers' newsletter.

Film poster From the wardrobe...

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe will hit big screens in the cinema on 9th December. This hugely popular children's book becomes the first of the Narnia series to make it to the movies. There are lots of spin-offs with the movie and one of the first to check out is the www.narnia.com website. The connection of this CS Lewis children's story to the gospel is well known and this is a great chance to take the children you work with to the cinema and have a follow-up discussion. We have also produced a service themed around the book which would be perfect for use throughout the Christmas season - visit the website to see it!
We have also added a new page to the children's website telling them all about the launch of the film and offering some lucky surfers the chance to win tickets to see the film - so don't delay, encourage your children to visit the Narnia pages today! www.methodistchildren.org.uk/children/narnia.htm

A Growing Spirituality

Also added to the website is a write-up around the Urban Young People and Spirituality Seminars we ran in conjunction with The Children's Society and The Commission on Urban Life and Faith. We have uploaded the presentations made on the day as well as the Report and Briefing paper themselves. These materials would make the perfect backbone of a Church Council meeting, a home group, or a children's workers meeting. Have a look at this significant area of work and the links suggested on www.methodistchildren.org.uk/adults.spiritualhealth.htm

Not to be missed! Children at Worship

Advance notice - Caroline Fairness, author of 'Children at Worship - Congregations in Bloom' is visiting the UK in March of 2006. There are two events scheduled, one in London and the other in Leeds.
Caroline has an exciting vision and practical experience of incorporating children into the whole worshipping community - her idea of inclusive worship goes far beyond a children's talk and an activity. They could change the whole culture of the church! Places at the day will be limited, so book now! The day is particularly aimed at worship leaders, more than one person from a church would be welcome and a discount is available for two or more from one church where one person is the Minister!

Full details can be found in the training section on the website.

A Christingle Christmas!

Christingle picture We mentioned The Children's Society new and fully updated website for Christingle in the last newsletter, but we would like to tell you a little more.
Christingle- meaning Christ Light- brings together family and friends of all ages. Held from Advent to Epiphany, this festive celebration communicates the Christian message in an inspiring way to adults and children alike. Its wide appeal makes it an ideal way to encourage newcomers to church and extend your congregation. The website offers free downloads, free materials to order, in fact it has everything you would need to have a Christingle service!

If you have never had a Christingle service then visit www.christingle.org and make this year the first!

Another great website that is packed full of Advent and Christmas Christingle resources is NCH's site - it also has a Christingle service and loads of material around their 'Child at the Centre' theme. Visit their website to see more!

Audit update

It's 9 weeks since the new website went live and the Audit form became available for children and local workers to fill in. We have been really pleased with the response so far - with over 130 worker's forms returned so far that means two a day are being sent back to us! We really want to ensure that this audit goes as wide as possible and so please encourage others you come in contact with to fill in the audit form and become part of the on-line MethodistChildren community.
The responses back from the children that have filled in the audit so far have been fabulous and we wanted to share some of their insights to date -
When asked why they went to church -
'Because I like to learn about Jesus and I think it's fun'
I enjoy it'
'I go because I am a Christian'
'Because God is amazing'
Or what they would like to change -
'I would like more art'
'make it more unpredictable'
'make it a bit longer'
Encourage those around you to take part in this important piece of work.

Also from the Children's website are the results from the first two polls we have carried out -

We asked the children if they were happy to tell their friends about God. 73% agreed, 24% disagreed, and 3% were not sure.

Then we asked if Sunday was the best day for going to Church. 58% agreed, 22% disagreed, and 20% were not sure.

All these responses are crucial pieces of information for not only those working with children but also for those making Church policy and shaping the future of local communities. Perhaps there are some people around you who need to hear what children are saying. We look forward to letting you all have the full results of the Audit in due course.

Did you know that Universal Children's Day is on 20th November? The date marks the UN adopting the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). This day is a chance for a world-wide focus on the welfare of children.

Our next e-letter will be out at the start of December. If you have anything you would like to include then please e-mail us.

If you require any further information please contact us on children@methodistchurch.org.uk

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