Welcome to the October 2006 Children's Workers' newsletter.

The MethodistChildren e-news is now one year old! Since our first edition in October 2005 literally hundreds of you have signed up to receive our monthly communications and it just keeps growing! We would like to thank all of you for continuing to receive the e-news and hope that you continue to find it useful and spread the word!
If you have any suggestions for articles in the e-news please send them to us at children@methodistchurch.org.uk

mctxt4u

mctxt4u is a great new weekly free text service from the Methodist Children team aimed at 9-13s. The service is now operational and all you need to do is to get your 9-13s to text
JOIN to 07786205203

Promotional material is available from Methodist Children in the form of credit card sized flyers quoting the text2 details and how to join. If you would like some of these cards they are available in bundles of 10 from MPH, absolutey free! Call 01733 325002 to order yours.

The text subjects will be under the listed headings

Word - bible text, poem, book recommendation,
Action - could be something to do, read, respond to
Challenge - practical or thought provoking
Prayer - Actual prayers, prayer ideas, people to pray for.
Ur World Heads-up - what is happening in the world (news), fashion, culture, issues involving children and young people.
Da Buzz - Latest crazes, issues, films, music, jokes
Links - Useful web links
We are also launching our new style bulletin board for the 9-13s called Da BLAB and will be encouraging our ‘’texters’’ to build a community on Da BLAB…and share their views and news.

The messages will be posted on the website for leaders information!

Text Join to 07786205203 now!

CORE giveaway!

Core skills was launched in Nottingham at the start of last month at a Conference attended by over 100 people. Speaking at the launch were Kathyrn Copsey from CURBS and Jane Williams, a Vice President of BRF. Cutting the cake to announce the arrival of this new training material were (l to r) Jane Williams, Steve Pearce (CORE Co-ordinator) and Karen Bulley (Moderator of CGMC). Over the weekend the participants worked through the material and the issues it covers.

Core Skills in Children's Work was written by CGMC www.cgmcontheweb.com and included writers from 20 denominations! It has been adopted formally by The Methodist Church and the URC as the best way for Children's Workers to be trained. Training courses will be appearing around the country after an important series of Regional launches - more information can be found on our Training pages and also on the CGMC website. Courses will be posted on the Core Skills website www.coreskillsforchurches.com as Trainers post them.

We thought we would speed up the circulation of the book by offering 5 copies of the book in the October giveaway! Simply send your name, address, and the answer to the question below to us at children@methodistchurch.org.uk and the first five correct answers will receive a copy of this fantastic new training material.

Question - What does CGMC stand for and when was it constituted?

CORE Skills can be purchased from www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk

Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Government must submit its next progress report to the UN on the implementation of the Convention by July 2007 and wants to engage children and young people in monitoring and reporting on their rights.

Is there a group of children and young people you know who would like to take part in a "dialogue group", or contribute to the process? The sessions will take place between October and December 2006.

Details from http://www.crae.org.uk there are also excellent pages on the Convention at www.unicef.org.uk

World Aids Day

Every day, around 1,800 children are born HIV-positive. And yet the drug which can prevent HIV being passed from mother to child costs under £2.00. This is just one of the facts about HIV that tell us not enough is being done. Use Dec 1, or Sunday 3rd, to learn about, pray for and serve the children and adults who are affected by HIV. http://www.unicef.org.uk/aids/index.asp http://www.worldaidsday.org/

www.methodistchildren.org.uk

Our website is now over a year old and to celebrate this we have added a whole new section! Brand new this month is a Project 9-13 web section! Packed full of resources, news, reviews for 9-13s and also with a new Bulletin Board to follow up on our brand spanking new text service! With a new look for the pages it is sure to be a hit!
Also coming soon are new pages on the Children's site aimed at those in the 5-8 year range, including a Ronnie postcard service and a new story for the storybook!

Come and visit us and tell the children in your community to get involved! Visit www.methodistchildren.org.uk today!

The Good Childhood Inquiry

The Good Childhood Inquiry is the UK’s first independent national inquiry into childhood, which aims to renew society's understanding of childhood for the twenty-first century to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children.
The Good Childhood Inquiry’s call for evidence will empower children, young people and adults to have their say on what makes for a good childhood in the UK today.
Children and young people are at the centre of The Good Childhood Inquiry and will be meaningfully involved at every stage. The Children's Society has already asked 8,000 young people what they think makes for a good childhood.
The Children’s Society opened a national call for evidence running from 19th September 2006 to 13th November 2006. The first inquiry panel meeting will take place in early 2007and a final report with recommendations will be published at the end of the inquiry in 2008
Visit the website, www.goodchildhood.org.uk to view the call for evidence questions and to submit your evidence online or by email to goodchildhood@childrenssociety.org.uk or write to the address below.

The Good Childhood Inquiry Call for Evidence
The Children's Society
Edward Rudolf House, 69-85 Margery Street
London WC1X 0JL

Anti Bullying week
20th – 24th November 2006

The Anti-bullying Alliance has produced many resources to use with schools or groups during this week. Anti- bullying week is a great opportunity to take positive action against bullying. The Anti-Bullying Alliance is encouraging schools to take part, staff parents and pupils can get involved and work together to put a stop to bullying. Anti- Bullying week finishes on the 24th of November ending in Blue Friday dress in Blue day at School.

There are many resources on the website that you can use with groups to support this campaign. Find out more and download an order form at www.gethelpwithbullying.org.uk or click here for the PDF!

New Booster Seat Legislation enforceable from September 2006

Did you know about the new regulations for children in cars? If not, then read on!

Applicable for	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Responsibility
Child under 3yrs of age.	A correct child restraint must be used	A correct child restraint must be used. The exception to this is if one is not available in a taxi.	Driver
A child aged 3-11 years of age and under 1.35 metres in height.	A correct child restraint must be used	A correct child restraint must be used if seat belts are fitted. They must use an adult seatbelt if : Travelling in a taxi and the correct child restraint is not available. Travelling on an occasional Journey over a short distance and the correct child restraint is not available. There are two occupied child restraints preventing the fitting of a third.	Driver
Child aged 12 or 13 or over 1.35 metres in height.	A seat belt must be worn.	A seat belt must be worn if fitted.	Driver

A child restraint is a baby or child seat or booster seat/cushion that is appropriate for the childs weight.
In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years and over up to 135cm in height (approx 4ft 5ins ) must use the appropriate child restraint.
Non compliance may result in a £30.00 fixed penalty notice.
(Travelling on an occasional journey over a short distance and the correct child restraint is not available) This exemption provides for those occasions where the alternative might be to leave a child at risk simply because a child restraint is not available. It will however be for the courts to decide the interpretation of this law so that it is not open to abuse.
The new regulations mean that seated passengers aged 3yrs and above will have to use seat belts(or child restraints if they are available) in all cars, buses and coaches.

For further information visit the Road Safety website.

Protect Children from Violence

The United Nations will publish a report next week calling for comprehensive protection from violence for children in all countries of the world.
A service in Coventry Cathedral on Saturday October 14th at 1430 will celebrate children and faith leaders will sign a charter committing themselves and their faith communities to playing their part in protecting children from all forms of violence in home, education and work settings.
You - adults and children - are invited to join this service and enjoy the words, music, song and dance that accompany the challenge.
The service will be hosted by Churches Network for Non-Violence

Companions on it's way

If you are a fan of Godly Play then you will love Companions in Christ which will be published by MPH at the end of the month. A new resource which offers children the opportunity to go on a spiritual journey in a small group, the first book offers resources for Advent and Epiphany. To accompany this there is an @home booklet to assist those at home as the children journey. More information will follow next month.

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

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Penny Fuller, Steve Pearce, Mary Roseweir, Doug Swanney
MethodistChildren