February 2020 - Anglican.org
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February 2020
As I was driving into the office this morning, I find all the materials here. Do let me know if you
heard the latest news of ecological disaster – a have a good resource that I’m forgetting.
glacier the size of Great Britain melting faster Children also can be engaged in working to make
than expected. With many of our young people systemic change – together, you could write
showing extraordinary moral leadership in letters to your councillors or MPs, expressing the
Climate Strikes and other activism, I wanted to need for laws that protect God’s creation.
spend some time looking at how our children’s
ministry can take seriously the charge to care for And don’t forget that the hands-on work of
God’s creation. caring for your part of God’s creation can be a
fantastic activity for children, and help them
Ruth Harley writes movingly on her blog that “we connect deeply with Scripture. If you’re doing the
cannot just replace like for (more eco-friendly) Creation or Adam and Eve story, why not spend
like. Yes, it will help a bit if we use recycled paper some time gardening, and talking about how you
and biodegradable glitter, but it’s not enough. feel in this garden? So many of the parables also
We need to be developing ways of approaching include plants and nature. Getting your hands
children’s and youth work which first do no harm dirty, planting and nurturing living things, all of
to the planet we all inhabit.” You can read more these have immense spiritual dimensions, and
about her thinking here. great connections to Bible stories, and can often
be done even in the most urban, built-up church.
This year’s “Love Life, Live Lent” resource is all They also work really well with kids for whom
about creation care – it includes “a daily sitting still and talking and listening may not be
challenge to help you honour and treasure the the easiest thing to do! Our Diocese is home to
earth, plus weekly short prayers and Bible some wonderfully creative expressions of Forest
readings on creation themes.” You can order it Church – if you’d like inspiration on this, let me
singly for your own family, or in discounted know and I can put you in touch. Or pick up a
multipacks for families in church. copy of Sally Welch’s “Outdoor Church,” which
includes ways to adapt her ideas for churches
with limited or no outdoor space.
It may also be fruitful to help get kids thinking
about ways the church can become more
ecologically friendly. From planting bee-friendly Peace,
plants to fundraising for solar panels, children
can take a leadership role. This also makes them Margaret
more active participants in the church’s life and
mission – not just ministered to, but able to
minister and live out their faith in their own right.
I’ve put together a Pinterest board of resources,
including Eco Church Resource Packs – you can
www.stalbans.anglican.org/yac
E: yac@stalbans.anglican.org T: 01727 818160
Click on the underlined text for weblinks
JOB VACANCY - CHILDREN & FAMILIES LEADER, ST ALBANS
Job Type: Full Time (40 hrs p/w) from April 2020
Salary £24,000 p/a
St Peter’s Church in St Albans is recruiting a qualified and experienced person to lead our work among
children and families. The role can be fulfilled by a lay or ordained person. This exciting post will
enable us to build on our work among children and families within our church family, and to reach
out to others within our community and networks. We are looking for a Christian who will share our
vision that St Peter’s enables all to fulfil their potential as we grow in faith together.
This full time post will involve flexible working hours including Sundays. Please contact the church
office for the full job description and the application pack, or download from the parish website.
The deadline for applications is Friday 13th March 2020 and interviews will take place on Thursday
26th March.
POCKET MONEY PRAISE - FORTY In this issue:
DAYS VIDEO
This video is an excellent resource for the start of
Page 3 5 Big Questions
Lent. With minimal reading required (only one
sentence at the beginning and end, which can be Open The Book Initial Training
read out loud by an adult), and an incredibly Parenting for Faith course
accessible but profound look at the story of Jesus
in the wilderness, you could use this in Page 4 To Easter and Beyond resource
assemblies, Junior Church, All-Age Worship, The Big Scrumptious Faith-Filled
Messy Church, or even toddler group worship. Feast
ROOTS resources
Once, when I showed it with a group aged 0-12, I
had us sit in a semi-circle with the TV at the Page 5 Stranger to Friend conference
front, and poured a bag of sand (£5, Homebase) resources
on the floor in front of us. Babies and toddlers Faith Forward podcast
played in the sand as we watched the video, and
then children of all ages could take an electric Family Discovery Mornings
tea-light and place it in the sand as a prayer, Messy News
during response time. Children’s Ministry Blog
Electric tea-lights start around £5 for a dozen. Page 6 Diddy Disciples Training
Paying slightly more will ensure they last longer, Makaton Training
and be more eco-friendly. For an even more eco- 52nd Berkhamsted Walk
friendly take on this, break up your sand
“desert” with a few bowls of water, and have #LiveLent 2020
flower petals available – children can drop a Page 7 Easter Colouring Cards
flower petal in a bowl of water, or in the sand, to Resources
represent their prayer.
Page 8 & 9 Events & Training
Forty Days video
Page 10 Prayers and Contacts
2
5 BIG QUESTIONS PARENTING FOR FAITH COURSE
A new survey has been launched into people’s The Parenting for Faith course is a
perceptions of the different factors that impact video-based resource for parents,
the health and happiness of children under the godparents, grandparents, aunts
age of 5. and uncles, foster parents,
children’s and youth leaders,
Run by The Royal Foundation and IPSOS Mori, church leaders and family friends -
the survey uses five questions which explore in fact, anyone who wants to
the importance of factors such as the health support a child or teen of any age in their
and well-being of the parents and carers, the spiritual development. Part of the wide-ranging
idea of nature versus nurture and the Parenting for Faith initiative, the eight-session
responsibilities of the wider community in course is tried, tested and highly acclaimed.
bringing up children. Until now it has only been available online, but
in response to demand, it is being made
available on DVD.
Through the ‘5 Big Questions’ they are bringing
together the thoughts of individuals,
organisations and businesses with the aim of The new Leader’s Handbook is an essential
giving every child the best start in life. companion for those running a Parenting for
Faith course. No formal qualifications are
required to run a course: just enthusiasm, a little
Please encourage parents, carers, Toddler
preparation and a passion to see those
Groups etc to complete it. You can find out
parenting and supporting children equipped and
more and take the survey here.
inspired.
The new Participant’s Handbook is a helpful
printed booklet for participants to use alongside
the Parenting for Faith video course. It can be
used by both individuals and groups.
You can buy a Starter Pack which includes
OPEN THE BOOK INITIAL everything you need to explore or start a
Parenting for Faith course , or the Church Pack
TRAINING which includes two Leader’s Handbooks and ten
19 March, 10.30am - 3pm in London Participant Handbooks. You can also purchase
If you are a new group wanting to get started, individually the DVD and packs of 5 Participant
want to join an existing team, or you are a Handbooks.
Storyteller who has not been trained, then this
is fun time for you! Parenting for Faith seminars
Wednesday 17 June
Initial training will help you begin your journey Christ Church, Bedford
as a Storyteller with Open the Book and give
On the evening of 17 June
you some great tips and advice.
Parenting for Faith are running two workshops
which you might be interested in:
The training is free • Parenting for Faith with under 5s
and tea and coffee will
• Parenting for Faith for teens
be provided, please
bring your own lunch. More details to follow - save the date!
Limited places -
booking essential!
3THE BIG SCRUMPTIOUS FAITH- ROOTS
FILLED FEAST RESOURCES
Engage Worship have Pancake party ideas for a Shrove Tuesday event
written an all-age service with children - prepare for Lent with children
for Care For the Family's with a simple pancake party, or have a
"Kitchen Table Project". children's or all-age activity evening. Use
games, activities, food and prayers to explore
You can download the the meaning of Lent.
PDF here with everything
you need for an engaging, inter-generational Motherhood: Cliche and reality
service - sermon, song ideas, prayers, An all age service for Mothering Sunday
handouts, activities and more. 22 March
This act of worship celebrates, supports and
This is part of a wider project to help parents empowers mothers and all people in mothering
share faith at home. Do check out the whole of roles. Biblical extracts from Luke and John
their website for more resources. enable us to see the Gospels' relevance to
everyday life, and activities and reflection give
everyone an opportunity to participate.
4STRANGER TO FRIEND FAITH FORWARD PODCAST
CONFERENCE RESOURCES The all-new Faith Forward podcast is here. The
Take a look back at the Evangelism and new podcast series dives deep into issues that
Discipleship's November conference, which matter deeply to young people, our church, and
focused on faith journeys, and how people the world in which we live.
move from being strangers
to the church to being Join Faith Forward founder Dave Csinos as he
longer term friends. sits down with cutting-edge leaders who
are instigating change and equipping leaders to
As well as PowerPoint slides engage in innovative
and audio from many of the theology and practice
contributors, a few with children, youth, and
speakers at the conference families.
offered additional papers
and resources , which are
now available to download.
FAMILY DISCOVERY MORNINGS AT ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL
Family Discovery Mornings at St Albans Cathedral are free, and
suitable for children aged 3-11 (all children must be accompanied by
an adult).
Treasure Trail! Thursday 20 February 10am - 12.30pm
This February half term, younger visitors can uncover hidden treasures on an exciting trail of discovery
around the Cathedral. There will also be lots of wonderful arts, crafts and games to take part in!
Spring Thursday 16 April 10am - 12.30pm
There's no better time to explore the Cathedral than during Spring, and this wonderful trail brings
animals and nature to life! See what you can find before getting creative with Easter activities.
MESSY CHURCH NEWS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY BLOG -
Making the Messy most of your “ONCE UPON A TIME”
building! In this blog post, Margaret explores the value
A delightful account from of telling Bible stories, and how we can create
the Chearsley Messy Church team of how to space for children to explore the story for
make the most of a not-at-all Messy medieval themselves.
church building!
5DIDDY DISCIPLES TRAINING MAKATON TRAINING
Tuesday 25 February 7pm - 9.30pm Saturday 17 October
St Luke’s Church, Leagrave, Luton Hemel Hempstead
Diddy Disciples is a creative and playful worship We are finalizing details of a
and Bible storytelling resource for babies, Makaton training day which will
toddlers and young children. cover Christian faith signs, songs and activities
for using in churches and activity groups.
Diddy Disciples aims to encourage
participation, discipleship and leadership from The day is being hosted by the Church of the
children's earliest years, using storytelling, Resurrection, Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead.
singing, colour, repetition, art and lots and lots Booking information should be available in the
of movement! next issue of Children’s Ministry News, but you
can register your interest by emailing Julie
Tickets are free to those within St Albans E: jcirillo@stalbans.anglican.org
Diocese, £15 for those outside of the Diocese. T: 01727 818160
52ND BERKHAMSTED WALK – #LIVELENT 2020
SUNDAY 10 MAY 2020 CARE FOR GOD’S
Join in the 52nd Berkhamsted Walk to raise CREATION
funds for The Children’s Society. The walk is The #LiveLent campaign
Berkhamsted’s longest-standing sponsored for 2020, starting on Ash
walk and since 1968 it has raised over Wednesday, has been
£300,000. The money raised from this inspired and informed by the Archbishop of
sponsored walk is given to The Children's Canterbury’s 2020 Lent Book, ‘Saying Yes to
Society, who work tirelessly on projects to help Life’ by Ruth Valerio. The Easter Monday
children of this country facing neglect and Pilgrimage at St Albans Cathedral will also take
abuse, with nowhere else to turn. the environment as its theme.
All walks this year start from Kitchener’s Fields, Church House Publishing has
Castle Hill, Berkhamsted HP4 1HE - by the released two versions
Cricket Club. There is an 18 mile walk for the of #LiveLent: Care for God’s
adventurous, a 12 mile Bluebell walk and a Creation – a 40-Day
family friendly 6 mile walk. The 6 mile walk Challenge. The pocket-sized
includes a nature quiz to keep the youngsters booklet for adults includes
entertained. short daily readings and
reflections, and the one for
Find out how you can children/families focuses on
participate here. a daily challenge, with
weekly readings and
prayers.
View a sample of the children’s booklet.
6EASTER COLOURING CARDS RESOURCES
This pack of 18 A6 sized postcards makes its Heaven's BIG Secret
way through the Easter story. Whether you are
The Easter Story
using these in the build up to Easter, or simply
on Easter Sunday, this is a great resource for by Karen Langtree
children's work at church, or for families at ‘Have you heard . . .?’
home. ‘Did you know . . .?’
‘Could it be true . . .?’
‘Surely, no!’
Ideas for how these can be used with families
Something was happening in heaven.
at home:
Alfie and Alia, two of the smallest angels,
Colour a few postcards each week. When they listened carefully. What were the big angels
are finished with each postcard you can stick whispering about? Alia made a plan. ‘Let’s fly
them next to each other to eventually create down to Earth and find out!’
the entire Easter story. A good activity for
before bed, or on a Saturday afternoon. Join Alfie and Alia as they discover the Easter
story, and meet many furry friends along the
way! ISBN: 9780281077304 Price £5.99
Jesus Storybook Bible Coloring Book
by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Jago
Presents some of the best-
loved stories of the Bible in
an easy-to-colour, easy-to-
understand format.
For ages 3-6 years.
To be published 4 February.
ISBN 9780310769309 Price £8.99
Live Lent: Care for God's Creation
(Kids pack of 10)
God has given us a wonderful
world to enjoy, but also to
protect. #LiveLent: Care for
God's Creation will help children
and their families learn more
about the amazing gift of God's
creation and how we can care
for it better.
For the 40 days of Lent there is a daily challenge
to help you honour and treasure the earth, plus
weekly short prayers and Bible readings on
creation themes.
ISBN: 9781781401743 Price £12.50
7EVENTS & TRAINING
Hand in Hand conference Let Us Play Spirituality
Friday 7 - Sunday 9 February Friday 13 - Sunday 15 March
Eastbourne Cliff College
REFRESH your ministry – main stage sessions, A weekend that explores issues of spirituality
seminars and discussion groups giving you and and play amongst children, this short course will
your team ideas and solutions for refreshing and be especially helpful for all those who work with
growing your children’s and family ministry. or alongside children, especially focusing on 5-11
REFRESH you and your team – have time away year olds. It is an ideal introduction to issues of
together to connect with each other and God. child spirituality, and for those exploring the
healing and therapeutic aspects of play with
children. What is the value of play and what
Diddy Disciples Training Evening
place does it have in development? What part do
Tuesday 25 February 7pm - 9.30pm
adults have in supporting and developing good
St Luke’s Church, Leagrave, Luton play practice? Cost for the residential is £170.
Diddy Disciples is a creative and
playful worship and Bible storytelling resource
for babies, toddlers and young children. Diddy
Walsingham Children’s
Disciples aims to encourage participation, Pilgrimage
discipleship and leadership from children's Friday 13 - Sunday 15 March
earliest years, using storytelling, singing, colour, Walsingham
repetition, art and lots and lots of movement! The Children's Pilgrimage is for children’s groups
Tickets are free to those within St Albans - suitable for children between the ages of 7-11.
Diocese, £15 for those outside of the Diocese. Come and discover the well and explore stories
Booking essential as places are limited. about water from the Bible. You will need at
least 2 adults with your group. Price includes all
Play and Creativity meals, accommodation at the Shrine, all
activities and a free T-Shirt for each child: £80
2 - 5 March 2020 Nottingham
per child, £100 per adult.
This module offers the
opportunity to explore a variety of approaches to
Play and Creativity and its importance to all ages. Inspiring Faith in Under 5s
Adventuring through the philosophy and Saturday 28 March 9.30am - 1.15pm
theology of play and its importance to children Ely College
we will examine the life-long needs, application A morning to celebrate
and impacts. Cost £300 with accreditation. and explore big faith in
little children.
Godly Play Introductory Day
Saturday 7 March
9.30am - 3.30pm Easter Monday Pilgrimage
Holywell Lodge, St Albans Monday 13 April
Join Andrea Harrison, a certified Godly Play Join other pilgrims from across St Albans Diocese
trainer, on this Godly Play Introductory day - to celebrate the risen Christ on Easter Monday at
participants can experience key elements of the St Albans Cathedral. Now in its eighth decade,
Godly Play approach, see a carefully laid out the annual Pilgrimage and service have become a
children’s sacred space and explore many of the family event which now includes grandparents,
Diocesan resources. Cost is £10, which includes parents, young children (in pushchairs), babies
refreshments and a sandwich lunch. Booking (in prams), the family dog (on a lead) … and of
essential as places are limited. course muddy boots! All are welcome.
8EVENTS & TRAINING contd...
We gather on Easter Monday, 13 April, in the PLAY® method and materials, this day will
Abbey Orchard around 1pm for a picnic and empower you to bring a powerful and practical
games together. We then join the procession dimension to your work. The cost of the day is
into the Cathedral for the Easter Monday Service £15 (£25 for those outside the Diocese) and a
which begins at 3pm. The service finishes by sandwich lunch will be provided.
4.30pm in plenty of time to walk or drive home.
Exploring Holy
Communion using Godly Play
Monday 11 May, 10am—4pm
Yorkshire
This is a day designed to look at the ways in
which Godly Play can help us to explore Holy
Communion together, whether we are working Parenting for Faith seminars
with children who are to be admitted to
Wednesday 17 June
communion for the first time, or adults who may
wish to explore Eucharistic faith anew. The day is On the evening of 17 June
aimed both at those new to Godly Play, and at Parenting for Faith are running two workshops
those experienced in Godly Play who are which you might be interested in:
interested in exploring how to use it within the • Parenting for Faith with under 5s
particular context. Cost £30, to include • 8.30pm - 9.30m Parenting for Faith for
refreshments and lunch. teens
More details to follow, but save the date!
Come and Worship
Tuesday 16 June (12pm) - Wednesday 17 June Makaton Training Day with
(2pm) Christian faith signs
High Leigh Saturday 17 October
Join us as we explore, through demonstrations At last! A Makaton course covering
and experiences, a variety of creative ways to Christian faith signs, songs and activities for using
worship with children – not just on Sunday in churches and activity groups. The event will
mornings, but at other times and in other run approx. 9.30am - 4pm.
formats. Cost is £95 which includes en-suite More details to follow, register your interest by
accommodation. emailing Julie E: jcirillo@stalbans.anglican.org
Leading Creative Conversations in Come Follow Me
Children’s Ministry using Lego® Serious Saturday 21 November
Play® The Rufus Centre, Flitwick
Saturday 10 October The Diocesan Mission department will be holding
9.30am - 2.30pm a day looking at discipleship and how we can
Holywell Lodge, St Albans make disciples in new ways. Workshops will be
run by the Youth & Children’s team, the
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an innovative way to
Flourishing Churches team and the Reaching
develop your children’s ministry team, as well as
New People team, as well as Messy Church so
your work with children and young people. You
there will be something for everyone. More
will enter a ‘hands-on’ world where everyone
details to follow!
participates and contributes to discussions and
key conversations. Using the LEGO® SERIOUS
9PRAYERS
This month we pray:
➢ for all those in children’s ministry who are battling with feeling demoralised,
or overwhelmed, or burned out.
➢ for those churches struggling with conflict or uncertainty around children’s
ministry.
➢ thanksgiving for all who spend time and effort offering a place of consistent love and safety and
welcome to children.
KEY CONTACTS
Margaret Pritchard Houston Julie Cirillo
Diocesan Children’s Mission Enabler Administrator - Youth & Children
E: cme@stalbans.anglican.org E: yac@stalbans.anglican.org
T: 01727 818176 T: 01727 818160
Jeremy (Jez) Hirst & Martyn Hedley Ruth Garman
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers Administrator - Resources Centre & Schools
E: safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org E: rgarman@stalbans.anglican.org
T: 01727 818107 (Jez) T: 01727 818168
U: 01727 818106 (Martyn)
DIOCESAN WEBSITE PAGES
Youth & Children’s pages: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/yac
Safeguarding: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding
Privacy policy: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/privacy-policy
For the Children’s Ministry Social Media accounts click on the links below:.
10You can also read
