Connecting You | June – August 2014

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Your complete guide to SU’s summer holidays and missions

in prayer and action with Scripture Union June – August 2014

Inside this edition:

X:site – Reaching children with the good news of Jesus

Changing young lives for good – the power of mentors

connecting you

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Connecting You is the supporter and prayer magazine of Scripture Union England and Wales produced four times a year, bringing together news, features and comments from key volunteers and staff. We aim to keep you in touch with what God is doing through the work you support.

Connecting You magazine is also available online at: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/connectingyou. If you have a story for connecting you, or a suggestion on how we could improve our service to you, please contact the editor at the address to the right.

Published by Scripture Union207–209 Queensway, Bletchley,Milton Keynes, MK2 2EB.

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For general enquiriesTel: 01908 856000Fax: 01908 [email protected]© Scripture Union 2014Registered Charity 213422Limited Company 39828Registered in England and Wales 1

Your complete guide to SU’s summer holidays and missions

in prayer and action with Scripture Union June – August 2014

Inside this edition:

X:site – Reaching children with the good news of Jesus

Changing young lives for good – the power of mentors

connecting you

Contents Welcome from Tim Hastie-Smith

Site UnseenHow X:Site events change lives

Mentoring MattersOur new partnership to reach young people at risk

Summer 2014 pull-out:Your guide to a massive summer of mission

Easter CrackedHow your gifts helped share the true story of Jesus

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My Story: Xander CaryFinding faith on the waves

SU and YouMore news and ways you can get involved

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The Power of ParticipationWelcome to the summer edition of Connecting You

I’m delighted by the mix of features in this edition – all of them pointing towards the distinctive way that, with your support, SU is creating opportunities to serve in reaching the unreached

with the good news of Jesus Christ. For me this is the particular genius of Scripture Union: participation. It’s always been in our DNA that you don’t have to wait to be part of building Jesus’ kingdom. Working together, we are making a massive difference every day. I sincerely thank you for the unique role you play in this mission.

The legend goes that when he fi rst began his Special Services for children, Scripture Union’s founder, Josiah Spiers, had those who came to Christ one Sunday handing out hymn books the next. If you look across SU ministry today, you’ll see more or less the same thing happening wherever you look. Volunteers are essential to many aspects of our ministry, from leading holidays and beach missions that introduce the good news of the gospel, to running regular groups that support the development of children’s faith. And the wonderful thing is, many of these volunteers are maturing into the next generation of leaders, having benefi tted from the work fi rst-hand. For example, on our massive summer programme, many of our junior team members are youngsters who so enjoyed being part of a holiday or mission that they now long to give that same special experience to others.

I recently took part in a European Evangelical Alliance summit where the concepts of ‘youth’ and ‘youth culture’ were discussed and debated by some of the key players in ministry today. We all agreed that these phrases can sometimes be very unhelpful, creating the impression that young people are another

audience to be served – whereas the truth is they are created not to be served, but to serve!

For young people, being needed is so important. Boys especially can feel so disenfranchised by many of the things we do in the name of church. But they are desperate to be needed – they long for someone to ask them to lend a hand, to get involved in a cause bigger than themselves.

The truth we’ve always known at Scripture Union is that service is a powerful means of discipleship, and getting involved in serving others is the very best way to grow in God. So next time you’re approached by a young person looking a little bored, fed up with church or in need of a challenge, why not put them in touch with your local SU team? Maybe there’s a local group (like our X:site programme – see page 4), holiday or mission that will give them an amazing new way to grow in God.

Tim Hastie-SmithNational Director

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What’s your favourite way to spend a Saturday evening? Something good on the TV maybe? Ask any of the hundreds of 7 to 11s who take part in Scripture Union’s X:sites across England and Wales and they’ll tell you the high-energy, bi-monthly events pack more fun into two hours than any TV show could.

Amidst all the crazy games and laughter of an X:site night, young lives are changed as children encounter God in worship, hear the Bible

explained clearly and are loved and encouraged by volunteers from local churches.

That’s the reason why over the last few years, thanks to the support of a major trust donor, many more X:sites have launched and now take place regularly all across the country, with brand new events starting up this year. Thanks to this generosity and the support of committed volunteers, hundreds of children attend X:Site events and get to experience the gospel in exciting and relevant ways.

‘It started as an event for children. It turned into so much more’SU’s X:site in Swindon pioneered a new way of reaching children with the good news of Jesus. In the process, it brought churches together and raised up a new generation of young evangelists

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How it all startedLianne Smith is now a Scripture Union development worker but back in 2004, as a volunteer children’s worker in s small church in Swindon, Lianne heard God speaking to her.

‘Reaching children in Swindon with the gospel has always been my passion,’ says Lianne. ‘But in 2004 at a children’s ministry conference, I had a clear vision of what Swindon needed: a regular children’s event with a team that were totally committed to the vision of seeing children discipled.’

But as she began sharing her vision with local friends, it became clear how big a task it would be: ‘We knew that to get a strong team, several local churches would have to work together. But how would I bring them together? And how would I have the time to do everything that would need to be done?

‘That’s when my journey with Scripture Union began. Someone suggested I talk to Julie Swain who worked for SU at the time. She was part of a team that had just started running a similar

event in Leeds and she talked me through her experience and, best of all, gave me a pile of resources that meant I didn’t have to do all the things that I didn’t have time to do. There were ready-made teaching programmes, running orders, set-up plans, letters to churches, forms for parents… it was like being given a bag of pure gold.

‘Because it was an SU event it allowed me entry into all the churches – as somebody from a small church I would have struggled, especially in fi nding volunteers, – but the SU name provided the glue that brought all the people together.’

A place to belongSwindon’s X:site started in 2007 with a team of 40 people from 15 different churches. It’s been running six times a year since then, attracting children from all across the town. Best of all, children come back time and time again – and bring their friends too. Why does it work so well?

‘At X:site, we have a live band leading worship songs, big games involving loads of children, plus media on big screens. But most of all, it’s time just for them – two hours where they can encounter God, dig into the Bible and be around other children who are learning about Jesus too.’

Tabi Berry, 10, is one of dozens of children who take part in X:site Swindon regularly. She’s been involved with X:site for as long as she’s been old enough, enthusiastically bringing friends along with her. ‘It’s fantastic!’ she says. ‘We start with group times

with puzzles and activities, then there’s a story and some fantastic songs and a big prayer time where we can pray about what we’ve learned.

‘My best friend and my cousin are not Christians but they absolutely love it and it’s a nice way for them to fi nd out about God and meet with people who are Christians. One thing I’ve learned about God through X:site is that he actually does love you that much and everyone needs to realise that.’

A place to serve

X:site also provides a home for volunteers to grow in God as they serve. The team dynamic is a crucial ingredient to a successful X:site, with the organisational burden spread across a large, enthusiastic group of helpers.

For Lianne, one of the other things that makes X:site so worthwhile are the stories of young people who get involved in running the event. Amy Cox (pictured below), 21, is one. She’s been volunteering with X:site Swindon since the beginning, starting as a junior team member aged just 15. She now leads the junior team.

‘X:site opened up a whole new world for me,’ says Amy. ‘I grew up in a small church where there weren’t many Christians my own age, but at X:site I suddenly found other young people I could relate to and grow in my relationship with God with.

‘Serving at X:site has massively grown my confi dence. Lianne has encouraged me so much to get involved in new things and step out in leading parts of the event, including up-front stuff. I would say that it’s thanks to X:site that I started thinking about training in youth work. I’m now working as a youth worker with BIOS, part of the YFC team in Swindon.’

Currently runningBirmingham, Carlisle, Gloucester, Halifax, Keyworth, North East, North Wiltshire, Saffron Walden, Sheffi eld, South Cotswolds, Swindon, Teesside, West Oxfordshire, Wirral, Wyre, and X:Site North Coast, Wales.

Starting soonNorth Devon, Kettering, Inglewhite (near Preston) and Sunderland.

X:sites – growing across England and Wales

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‘It’s time just for them – two hours where they can encounter God’ – Lianne Smith

Looking to the futureSU’s X:site in partnership with local churches is growing across England and Wales with four more regular events starting up over the coming year. Two annual residential holidays offer children and young people an additional opportunity to connect with the energy of X:site.

‘My original vision back in 2004 was to unite the churches in Swindon to reach the children – and that’s exactly what’s happened. We now have a core team of eight people, representing lots of different churches and our wider team across the country even more so. What started out as a

children’s event, has turned out to be so much more. It’s incredible

– God has truly kept his promise to do “more than we could ask or imagine!”’

For the most up-to-date list, check our website: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/xsite

We’re really keen to see more X:site events happening around the country. With your help there could be one nearer you. Check out our website and get in touch: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/xsite

‘Amidst all the crazy games and laughter of an X:Site night, young lives are changed’

Week beginning June 1

SUNDAY 1Thank God for the exciting growth of X:site, SU’s events for children aged 7–11, across the country and all the ways he is speaking to children through it.

MONDAY 2Please pray for X:site Swindon, especially Lianne and her team, as they continue to reach 11s and under with the good news.

TUESDAY 3Pray for the gospel message to come across clearly at forthcoming X:sites and that many children will respond to it.

WEDNESDAY 4Pray for young leaders like Amy who are stepping out in faith and sharing the good news as they serve at X:sites.

THURSDAY 5Pray for more unity among churches of different denominations and streams as they reach out in love to children.

FRIDAY 6Please pray that more people will get a vision for an X:site in their area and begin planning with local churches.

SATURDAY 7Thank God for new X:sites launching in North Devon, Kettering, Inglewhite and Sunderland, and pray for successful fi rst years.

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It’s an old story but it bears repeating… A businessman signed up to take part in a mentoring programme and was assigned a young man to mentor. They arranged to meet in a café a few days later. But when the day arrived, the young man never appeared.

Again, they arranged to meet; again, the young man didn’t show up. It happened a third time, then a fourth. Finally, on the fi fth occasion, the young man arrived and sat down.

‘Why didn’t you turn up all the other times?’ the businessman asked.

‘I did,’ replied the young man, pointing to a dark corner. ‘I was over there, waiting to see if you turned up.’

The young man had been betrayed by so many people, he wanted to ensure that the businessman wasn’t just another name to add to the list. He needed to know that this person claiming to be committed to him actually was.

Gaining the trust of a young person at risk of exclusion from school is the fi rst step towards turning their life around. It’s the reason why we need to see a multiplication of mentors for at-risk young people – and why this year Scripture Union is teaming up with London-based youth work charity XLP to do just that.

Sophie’s storyI recently heard the story of Sophie, one of the young people XLP has been working with in Southwark, London. By 15, Sophie’s attendance at school was erratic to say the least. She was hard to teach, often angry in class, and on the verge of permanent exclusion. Very few people knew the reasons behind her destructive behaviour: a diffi cult and abusive home life.

But thanks to a dedicated volunteer mentor, Sophie began to address the root causes of her behaviour. Week by week, over a period of months, the mentor listened, invested time, and helped to turn Sophie’s life around. As a result, Sophie is not only still in full-time education, she’s now deputy head girl of her school!

There are tens of thousands of young men and women like Sophie across England and Wales. For all kinds of reasons, they struggle to stay within mainstream education and are at risk of exclusion. When this happens, their life chances decline rapidly.

Why we’re involvedAs a gospel ministry committed to working long-term with young people, mentoring cuts to the heart of what we are about. And as a movement sent to reach the unreached, I can think of no more important place for us to be than with marginalised young people, befriending and empowering them to make better choices. That’s why Scripture Union is partnering with XLP in making their fi rst-class mentoring training available to church and youth workers across the country. It’s people like you who make this kind of work possible. The generous gifts of our supporters multiplied by this kind of partnership working, really make a difference.

XLP are the experts in youth mentoring. Over nearly twenty years, they’ve been working in schools and communities to reach young people with the greatest social, educational and behavioural needs. They’ve shown how mentors can make all the difference.

They’ve developed an excellent two-day course called XL-Mentoring, designed to pass on the skills and confi dence every mentor needs to get started.

Mentoring MattersHelping young people at risk of exclusion is a powerful way to show the love of Jesus. SU National Director, Tim Hastie-Smith introduces a new partnership with youth

work charity XLP aiming to see a multiplication of mentors across England and Wales

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But until recently this was only available in London. Our partnership means that these excellent courses will now be rolled out across England and Wales. Each of our seven regional teams will co-host XL-Mentoring events over the coming year (see box for dates – more will follow).

There is a massive need for volunteer mentors to step up, get trained and start investing in the lives of young people like Sophie. Everyone has a role they can play, be it through giving, praying or volunteering. By partnering together, we can support more mentors in order to reach more young people.

Please consider whether you or someone else you know would benefi t from the excellent training we’re offering in partnership with XLP and get along to one of the regional events.

XL-Mentoring upcoming datesBirmingham, June 5–6Wales, June 12–13Exeter, June 20–21London, July 10–11Cambridge, November 7–8

For the latest dates and to book your place, visit xlm.org.uk

By partnering together, we can reach more mentors in order to reach more young people

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Today is the last day of Do Something Different, Pendle, an SU weekend away for young people on the edge of church, designed to get them thinking about the Christian faith. Pray that as the young people prepare to return home there will be good conversations which will help them to explore the place that Jesus might have in their lives.

SUNDAY 8

The young leaders who have been part of the GLYE (Growing Leaders – Youth Edition) training course run by SU and YFC in Swindon have their graduation and commissioning tonight. Pray that this will be an inspiring time for them and that they will fi nd ways of using the gifts God has given them and the training they have received.

WEDNESDAY 11

NEOS, a training event for youth and children’s workers, takes place in Houghton-Le-Spring, County Durham tomorrow. SU workers, including John Stephenson, will be leading some of the workshops at this. Pray for them in their fi nal preparation and ask that many workers will be equipped and encouraged by the event. Pray, too, for a training day tomorrow organised by our local ministry partners in Beverley, near Hull.

FRIDAY 13

Former Scripture Union evangelist, Colin Stephenson, now works with our local ministry partner, the Kerygma Trust, in Stafford. Their work includes leading collective worship and taking lessons in schools, running youth cafes where young people can chill out in the evenings, and a range of other events designed to present Jesus to those in the community.Please pray for Colin and the work of the Kerygma Trust

TUESDAY 10

The South Cotswolds X:site* event has moved to a new venue and has a new leader. It will meet every month on a Saturday and alternate between a normal X:site and an activity evening. They will be meeting tonight as will X:site Gloucester where the topic will be the Holy Spirit. Ask God to prompt a good number of children to come and to give the leaders wisdom, sensitivity and enthusiasm.*See page 4 for more on X:site.

SATURDAY 14

Scripture Union in New Zealand organise WAY2GO Children’s Ministry Conferences around the country every year. Please pray for their continued impact in equipping those working with children. In partnership with Kids Friendly, The Anglican Church and others, the Children’s Ministry Network is also growing in Otago and Southland (South Island); pray that this will be a fruitful partnership.

THURSDAY 12

Working with Urban Saints, our regional teams have been running ‘Sticky Faith’ evenings, sharing ideas that encourage the building of lasting faith in young people. Give thanks for Sticky Faith evenings that have already taken place in Southend, Huntingdon and Cambridge which encouraged many parents, grandparents and church workers. Further events take place tonight in Barnstaple and on Wednesday in Exeter. Pray that those who come will go away encouraged by the possibility of helping young people develop a lasting faith and with ideas to help them do so.

MONDAY 9

John Stephenson, will be leading some of the workshops at this. Pray for them

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Scripture Union’s leadership team will be spending the day praying together and considering the big picture of SU’s ministry. Ask God to give them a clear sense of his presence and to guide their thinking.

THURSDAY 19

Jason Fong and Hans Wuysang of the Scripture Union East and West Asia Regional offi ce are leading an induction course for new council members, staff and volunteers. Running between 16–23 June in Bangkok, it will involve fi fteen participants who will be travelling from various countries in the region. Pray for the various trainers and facilitators who will be working on their teaching materials asking that they will enable the participants to be inspired by and informed about the work of SU.

SUNDAY 15

On Thursday and Friday next week the Audit Committee will meet to review the year end accounts and external fi nancial audit fi ndings. Pray for the committee that they will have wisdom in analysing the fi gures and their implications, and also for the fi nance team in their day-to-day work of processing data and producing the reports which enable movement decisions to be made.

FRIDAY 20

Next week, 800 school children in Malvern will be visiting one of SU’s Lifepath events and exploring the lives and work of the monks who were based at the Priory. This year, more schools than ever (twenty-two, including fi ve new ones) are due to attend and with a team of nearly seventy, there is much to organise. Pray for fi nal preparations, that the team will have energy through the week, and that as the children learn about the monks, they will be helped to think about their own lives.

TUESDAY 17

In addition to the Malvern event we prayed for on Tuesday, Lifepaths start on Monday in Brinkburn Priory and on the Isle of Man. Pray that the school children attending the events will be challenged and inspired by the lives of the historical Christian fi gures they come to learn about. Please also pray for the many essential volunteers that give up their time to bring the day to life for the children, for safety and for good weather.

SATURDAY 21

Today the South West Region are having a prayer day. From early in the morning to late in the evening there will be time slots for anyone to sign up and pray. Join them in this important day. For ideas for prayer and for any free slots go to http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/94d551. Pray that many will join either by attending one of the local groups or by praying alone or with a prayer partner.

WEDNESDAY 18

helped to think about their own lives.

In Sheffi eld, we partner with the CaSS (Christians and Sheffi eld Schools) trust to help reach more children and young people with the gospel. Pray for Fiona Walton, their staff worker, as she works on her own to encourage and facilitate a variety of appropriate and supportive links between local churches and schools, and promotes a prayerful concern for all schools in the area.

MONDAY 16

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In Reading, our local ministry partner is Learn4Life. Please pray this week for Joanna Turnbull, one of their workers, as she conducts a Bible Week in St Andrew’s School. This will involve a daily assembly, a lesson with every class in the school, and a prayer room at every break and lunchtime, as well as running some outdoor games. Pray for the small team working with Jo, that they will build good relationships together and see children respond.

SUNDAY 22

An African Regional Council meeting is currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. Pray for the safety of all the participants as they travel home from the meeting and that the decisions made there will further the ministry of SU in the region and beyond.

WEDNESDAY 25

The summer fundraising appeal will be going out at the beginning of July. As we give thanks for the generosity of supporters, let’s pray that all the fi nal details come together, that it goes out on time and that there will be a good response.

FRIDAY 27

Please pray for three of our local ministry partners who are running prayer spaces in schools. Today, Impact (Bedford) have an RE day at Roxton Lower School (involving various refl ective activities such as creative prayer, prayer spaces, prayer trees, art and collage) and on Friday they have prayer stations in the garden of St. James’ Lower School, Biddenham. Genr8, our local ministry partners in Cambridgeshire are running ‘Inspire’ prayer spaces at Linton Infant School on Friday and ACTIOS (St Neots) will be running prayer spaces over two weeks: June 24 – July 8.

TUESDAY 24

In Harrow, we work in partnership with the Re:generation Trust. Please pray for them and their work with school assemblies, lunchtime clubs and lessons. They use It’s Your Move to help encourage and support children in their move to secondary schools and a mentoring initiative has also been developed with the help of volunteers. Re:generation have recently appointed Emma Routledge as the new worker shared with Christ Church, Roxeth. Pray for Emma as she takes on this important role.

SATURDAY 28

This weekend sees a new weekend camp for 14- to 18-year-olds, called Abide. It is the result of cooperation between Scripture Union, Urban Saints, Change Youth (Canterbury) and the South East partnership and features a range of well-known speakers and worship leaders. Please pray that many will be equipped to live Spirit-fi lled lives which will impact their generation.

THURSDAY 26

Partnership with other agencies is very much a part of the way that SU works. This week, South West Youth Ministries have a conference for all staff and trainees, with input from SU. Today Terry Clutterham will be leading a session on children and the digital age. In the South East, Lisa Jones with be meeting with other agencies and churches to plan joint initiatives. Pray that together we achieve more than we could separately.

MONDAY 23

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Today, our regional team leaders will be meeting to plan future initiatives to equip Christians and to bring the Bible to life for children and young people across the regions. Pray that, as they meet, they will have real vision and a sense of God’s direction.

THURSDAY 3

Scripture Union in the FSR ask us to pray for political stability in Ukraine and that there will be no curtailing of freedom for the churches or for SU as they seek to share the love of Christ. Praise God for the winter camp in Novosibirsk, Russia, at the beginning of January which had a twin-track programme for children and teenagers with some joint evening celebrations. Young leaders were very active and the whole team was much encouraged.

SUNDAY 29

Spree North West is a two night camp for 8- to 15-year-olds, starting tonight. Run by a group of agencies including SU, it is fi lled with fun activities, worship and Bible teaching. Over-16s serve on ‘Crew’ and keep the camp running, and help supervise activities. They also get their own teaching and worship sessions. Pray for good weather, for the speakers and worship leaders and for an impact on young lives.

FRIDAY 4

It’s Your Move is an SU resource that seeks to support children in the transition between primary and secondary school. Last week there were three days of workshops in Liverpool Cathedral using the book to prepare children for this move, and there will be many more happening all around England and Wales. Thank God for the continuing wide use of the book and associated programmes and pray that the children who receive it will not only be better prepared for the change but will discover something of God’s love.

TUESDAY 1

The Max, an SU event for children, has been revived and has moved from a Bristol church to a large secondary school in the middle of Bristol. The links with the school are helping children with the move to secondary education and offering the opportunity for post-16 students to be involved as helpers. Pray that these developments will create new opportunities for children to hear about Jesus and respond to him. Pray, too, for the new X:site in North Devon taking place for the fi rst time today.

SATURDAY 5

The International Camp in Ukraine starts on Saturday against a troubled political background. Pray for safety and smooth running, for good relationships to be formed quickly between the different members of the team, and that the work done will bear fruit in the lives of the children and young people who attend the day camps run by the team. It starts today and runs to 19 July.

WEDNESDAY 2

Pray for Blackpool Schools and Youth Work Trust who became one of our local ministry partners in 2013. They have been taking assemblies in schools in Blackpool and the Fylde for over fi fteen years, reaching many thousands of children each year in over thirty schools. In addition to assemblies the work includes RE lessons, clubs and workshops.

MONDAY 30

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Week beginning July 6

In Canada there is an English-speaking SU movement and a French-speaking one, La Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible (LLB). LLB are looking to establish a stronger network of representatives in French-speaking areas. They are asking God for volunteers to undertake the responsibility of visiting churches and pastors to promote the ministry. Please pray that qualifi ed volunteers will respond to the challenge. Pray, too, for volunteers for a camp for underprivileged children this summer.

SUNDAY 6

Please pray for Mark Green, Graham Dunn, Eddie Nock, Paul Stockwell, Ian Gooding and Clive Cornelius as they work on a project to update the SU website. This is a key piece of work at this time; there are many things to be considered and key decisions to be made. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for the team as they seek to improve the Scripture Union online experience.

WEDNESDAY 9

Spree South West, a camping weekend for church youth and children’s groups run in association with Urban Saints takes place this weekend in Crediton. Give thanks for the 800-plus children who came last year, many of whom committed their lives to Christ. Pray that again many children and young people who have limited contact with the church will not only have a fun-fi lled weekend but will also fi nd that their lives are changed through meeting Jesus.

FRIDAY 11

Blandford Areas Schools Development Trust became one of our local ministry partners last year. Pray for their staff worker, Pippa Rossiter as she works with the trust on their plans to have an input in collective worship and the RE curriculum at the participating schools. Pray that they will build links between the schools and the local churches, and will assist the local churches in the care and teaching of the children in church.

TUESDAY 8

Pray for the X:site events for children taking place today in West Oxfordshire, North Wilts, Saffron Walden, Sunderland, Wyre and Sheffi eld and next Saturday in Swindon and Keyworth. Pray especially for the new event in Sunderland, asking that Janice Turnbull, who leads the team, will know God’s wisdom and support, that the team will work well together and that many children will come and hear the good news of Jesus.

SATURDAY 12

SOLID takes place this weekend and over 800 young people and 500 children will come together for worship, teaching and outdoor pursuits, with SU volunteers leading different activities across the weekend. Richard Shaw, South East Team Leader, is part of the leadership team, with Sarah Smart working on the children’s programme and Ben Poch as the main stage host. The theme this year is ‘Kingdom Culture’. Pray that the young people will catch a vision of what can happen when God rules.

THURSDAY 10

Many Christian bookshops are fi nding trading conditions diffi cult; pray for them and their vital witness in the community. Please pray, too, that the SU summer promotion does well in the shops and results not simply in increased sales but in changed lives.

MONDAY 7

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This spring, Scripture Union local ministry partners and a huge army of volunteers presented the true story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to tens of thousands of school children through Easter Cracked events. We estimate around 50,000 children across England and Wales heard the good news through Easter presentations this year thanks to your support.

In Milton Keynes, our local ministry partner Bridgebuilder Trust worked with 12 churches and an ecumenical partnership of seven others to deliver Easter Cracked presentations to a record 1,700 children from 37 different schools. Fast-paced, 90-minute lessons explored the Easter story through games, quizzes, movie clips, drama, craft activities and discussions.

Children were captivated by the story – many hearing it for the very fi rst time – and all engaged enthusiastically. ‘We learnt all about his crucifi xion and the important parts of Jesus life,’ said one girl, aged 9. ‘I learnt that Jesus was innocent and did not do anything wrong,’ commented a boy, aged 10. ‘I think that Pilate had no choice but to crucify

Jesus,’ added another.

Teachers were impressed too, commenting that adult volunteers who were

passionate about their

Easter Cracked!Thanks to you, we presented the good news of Easter to tens of thousands of school children this year

faith made a huge difference in communicating the story effectively.

Comic for every childThanks to the generous gifts of Scripture Union’s supporters, we were able to print and give away an amazing 50,000 copies of the Easter Bible Comic, a colourful retelling of the Easter story, at many of the events. These went home with each of the children, giving them an opportunity to refl ect further on the story of Easter, and share it with parents and siblings.

We’re so grateful to all our supporters who helped make this amazing initiative possible. One wrote to tell us, ‘It is good to know of the large number of youngsters who will get access to the Easter story through our gift.

‘I tried out a copy with a grandson who was with us, and as an intelligent eight-year-old he was impressed! It was the fact of having ten grandchildren that provided the initial stimulus to make the donation… [Our] hope and prayer is that the attractive presentation of the comic will stimulate youngsters without church links to understand the message of Easter for the fi rst time.’

is that the attractive presentation

It was great that 50,000 children received our Easter Bible Comic – with your support we hope to be able to grow this ministry through giving out even more free copies of our Christmas Bible Comic later this year. You can watch a video of children attending Easter Cracked and receiving their comics on our website: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/eastercracked

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In Romania, Scripture Union are planning two new activities. They will go every week or two to visit a hospice for the elderly and a prison for teenagers. They want to have fellowship with the elderly people and youngsters; people who are in need and lonely. Please pray for wisdom and that they fi nd the best way to share the gospel with them. Pray, too, for fi nancial resources to help them meet the needs of these people.

SUNDAY 13

This afternoon the Board will be meeting with an agenda that includes the review and approval of the annual report and accounts. Ask God to give them wisdom as they consider the broad scope of what God is doing and wants to do within the Scripture Union movement in England and Wales.

WEDNESDAY 16

In recent years our Young Leaders Development programme has helped a number of young people gain their fi rst experience of Christian service. It has been renamed the 10:2 programme (based on Luke 10:2). One young man who found it diffi cult to share his faith when he joined the programme can now talk about his faith with clarity and authority. Thank God for the impact that this programme is having.

FRIDAY 18

Sports ministry can be a great community outreach tool helping many children and young people encounter Jesus for the fi rst time. Please pray for Ruth Graveling who has just started on a four-month project to help shape our future strategy in this area, working in liaison with the University of Gloucestershire, SU Canada and others. Pray that she will make the right contacts, gather helpful information and provide recommendations that will allow us to excel in this area.

TUESDAY 15

Pray for all holiday and mission teams as they make the fi nal preparations for a busy summer, asking that they may be able to fi nd the time to prepare talks and studies and organise activities. Pray especially for fi rst-time team members who may be feeling apprehensive, and ask that God will confi rm his sense of call in their lives.

SATURDAY 19

Our Technical Services Manager, Ian Gooding, asks us to give thanks that due to the generosity of supporters, all our staff now have up-to-date computers. He also asks that we pray for wisdom as we choose the most versatile and secure technology to enable the mission activities for all our workers.

THURSDAY 17

In amongst the young people and families of the villages of the Gower, we work in partnership with the Gower Christian Youth Work Trust in presenting Jesus in schools, churches and local communities. Please pray for the trust’s large team of volunteers as they run a wide range of clubs and activities both in school and in the wider community.

MONDAY 14

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In the next couple of weeks the residential programme will start in earnest. Pray for good numbers and for more bookings, even at this late stage. Pray, too, for a campaign designed to inspire churches and families to reconnect with residential activities as a means of helping children and young people to develop a mature faith in Jesus Christ.

THURSDAY 24

Praise God for the training camp held in India for thirty-eight Tamil-speaking staff in February and for the successful distribution of Bible reading notes for 2014 through many churches and meetings. Pray for the Vacation Bible School preparations to be conducted in more than 300 churches; for the special training programme for North India staff and for the staff in India as they venture into new schools for missions in the new academic year.

SUNDAY 20

Kevin Moore works with Face2Face, one of our local ministry partners in the East region. Pray for him as he leads a mission with two churches in Hutton, Essex from July 26 – August 3. The mission will include a Groundbreakers holiday club, youth event, family event and all-age services. Kevin then goes on to run two SU holidays: Sketchpad and Checkmate. Please pray that he may have stamina, health, and inspiration and that the power of the Holy Spirit will be at work in the three mission projects.

FRIDAY 25

Thank God for the gifted and committed staff he calls to work with the movement, praying for new staff who have recently joined, asking that they will quickly fi t into the team, understand their roles and make a signifi cant contribution. As the holiday season approaches, pray for staff and their families on holiday, asking God to give them a time of physical and spiritual refreshment.

TUESDAY 22

Tomorrow the Glow regional holiday in Havering starts. Glow is a challenging and inspiring four-day residential for young people in school years 5–8. Pray that in the midst of doing fun and exciting activities and in building new friendships, the children will experience something of the glory and the life-changing love of God as they look at the Bible together.

SATURDAY 26

The David Chilcott fund supports children and young people who could not otherwise afford to go on SU holidays. Pray that no one will be prevented from coming through lack of funds and that all who could benefi t will apply and will gain from the activities they attend.

WEDNESDAY 23

Future Vision, our local ministry partners in Sudbury, Suffolk, began work in 2004 and have been associated with SU since 2007. They have one full-time worker, Ian Copeman, and one part-time, Jo Longhurst. Pray for them as they take school assemblies and RE lessons and in their responsiblity for leading the n:vision clubs at lunch time and after school.

MONDAY 21

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Today sees the start of the Byker Community Mission which runs until Saturday. Give thanks for the relationships which have been strengthened between a number of churches in the area, praying that the week of mission activities will reach many families with the good news of Jesus, and that connections will be formed which will last long beyond the mission itself.

SUNDAY 27

From 3–11 August, our National Director, Tim Hastie-Smith, will be in Ghana speaking to about 1,000 students every day at a Scripture Union Young Leaders’ training event. Praise God for the great work being done among young people in Ghana and pray that this event will equip many to serve God effectively.

WEDNESDAY 30

Twelve young people from Peterborough will be travelling to Morpeth to assist in the Called 2 Serve mission from 1–6 August. This mission is being organised by the churches in Morpeth with support from The Mustard Tree Trust, a Scripture Union local ministry partner. Pray that as they engage in mission, they will grow in their own faith, making an impression on those they meet. This will be followed by Staying Alive, a Christian youth convention in Seahouses.

FRIDAY 1

We work in partnership with the Doncaster Schools Worker Trust. They have two part-time workers, Linda Gardner (primary) and Dan Budhi (secondary). Pray for them in their work in primary schools that focuses on Bible Explorer, assemblies (some of which are conducted by voluntary teams using Open the Book), lessons, lunchtime clubs and prayer journeys at Easter and Christmas. The SU It’s Your Move resource is used with Year 6 children, too. Pray also for their secondary school work consisting of assemblies, lunchtime clubs and lessons.

TUESDAY 29

Bishop Paul Butler, President of SU in England and Wales, pointed out at Council meetings in March that the greatest challenge the church faces is to get the message of Jesus out. As the season for missions begins, pray that we shall be able to do just that, asking God that our teams will make contact with many unreached people and will tell the story of Jesus clearly and attractively.

SATURDAY 2

Soul in the City which starts today and runs to August 4 is a local partnership community mission based in North East London, reaching out to the unreached in actions as well as words. Young people come together to meet with God and to give others an opportunity to encounter him. Pray that as they seek to show the love of Jesus in practical ways many will be encouraged to think about him for themselves.

THURSDAY 31

In Queensland there has been a second challenge in the High Court relating to the constitutional legitimacy of government funding for school chaplaincy. Please pray for Peter James (CEO, SU Queensland) and the legal team as they defend this valuable, life-transforming ministry.

MONDAY 28

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Week beginning August 3

The East Regional Team will be involved in a small number of ‘Supporter Walks’ over the summer. These are a chance to engage more informally with volunteers and supporters. Pray for a strengthening of relationships, and that supporters will gain a deeper understanding of the work of the region and be inspired to greater prayer and support.

THURSDAY 7

The Longbenton Community Mission starts today until 9 August. Please pray for young leader trainee, Jen Barclay, whose year with SU is coming to an end and who will be involved in this week of mission activities having come straight from the Byker mission. Pray for many families to be engaged and lasting connections to be formed which will enable people to see how faith is worked out in Christian lives.

SUNDAY 3

This weekend sees a ‘festival of hope’ in South Liverpool organised for the local community by churches and SU in the North West Region. There will be activities for adults, families, young people and children culminating in an informal service on Sunday followed by games and a hog roast. Pray that the churches will work well together, that good numbers from the community will turn up, and for safety.

FRIDAY 8On the Isle of Man, we partner with SUMT. They began their work in 1983 and their staff team consists of Alex and Amanda Brown, Sam and Sarah Rotchell and part-time administrator, Helen Jessop. Pray for their work that focuses on assemblies and lunchtime clubs with some lessons. There is heavy involvement with island-based youth events, and training to mobilise young people to serve God. The trust is also involved in the annual SU beach mission at Port St Mary.

TUESDAY 5

Tomorrow this year’s 10:2 Young Leaders mission trip leaves for Romania, where they will be working alongside a Scripture Union Romania team led by National Director, Cristi Martin. The team will be leading activities at a youth camp in the North East of the country, sharing God’s love with young people from across Romania. Pray for safety in travel, for the building of good relationships and that team members will learn from each other as they serve God together.

SATURDAY 9

The Bamber Bridge Mission starting today is a new three-day holiday club using SU’s Mega Makers! resources. It’s followed by a community event on Saturday and a special Sunday service. Pray that the whole church would engage with the vision of reaching out to the community and be blessed as a result, and that the children and families who come to the various events will have a fresh understanding of God’s love in Jesus.

WEDNESDAY 6

In Denmark Scripture Union give thanks for the appointment of Tove Kousgaard, the new editor for the Bible reading website, El-camino.dk. Pray for God’s blessing on her and the site’s readers. The board has agreed on a new and ambitious strategy plan for 2014–2016, including new adult Bible reading notes, development of digital Bible reading, and a new Bible reading resource for teenagers.

MONDAY 4

2120

Christians are judgemental and deluded. They all share some joint hallucination and while it clearly gives them something to live for, I want nothing to do with it.

Or so I thought… But all this started to change when a Christian friend of mine called Tim asked me to join him on a week-long sailing holiday in the Norfolk Broads run by Scripture Union called Mallards: ‘It’s brilliant fun, you’ll really enjoy it... oh, and yeah, there’s a Bible study and prayer group every evening…’

The look of surprise on Tim’s face when I agreed to come showed that he never thought I actually would!

Lasting memories

So, I went along. Tim was right; I did really enjoy it. My abiding memories of that fi rst holiday were great sailing and great people. Everyone was very welcoming and the sailing was brilliant fun. I’d stand on the cabin roof and hang off the bowsprit – soaked through and grinning! The team were fun-loving, kind and patient.

I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about the Bible study and prayer side of things. It all seemed very novel, despite having been to a C of E school.

‘I will be eternally grateful to SU holidays’

But I found it interesting: this Jesus character seemed familiar from school assemblies. I realised that I could do worse than to listen to Jesus’ lessons. I liked him as a moral teacher: love your neighbour, give to the poor and turn the other cheek. Why not?

So, I went back the next year and the next, and two more years after that. In total, I spent fi ve weeks sailing around the Norfolk Broads with a group of Christians, talking about Jesus. And yet, I still wasn’t a Christian. I could see that my friends’ faith was clearly changing them and was an amazing force for good in their lives. I had decided that from a purely academic viewpoint, I had no objections to Christianity. But there was still no real, personal reason for faith in God.

Something missingEvery year I went on Scripture Union holidays, I enjoyed myself, but I felt I was missing out on something amazing. I would, perhaps once every trip, sit and pray, ‘God, if you’re there, please give me a sign.’ But God always seemed to be rather quiet.

After fi ve years of frustration, I fi nally sat down and prayed a few days after the holiday. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer, which I knew by rote from school. And all of a sudden, I felt God – an unmistakable feeling. At once I knew that this was not something internal, some trick of the mind or hallucination. This was a wave of all-encompassing peace and security. This was the God I had been searching for.

So that’s me. I didn’t come to faith on an SU holiday – I came to faith straight after it! I later found out that many Christian friends were praying that I would come to know Christ – no doubt including the brilliant team who run the SU Mallards holiday.

My story: Xander Cary

How I gradually found faith – thanks to a Scripture Union holiday

Holidays that change livesAll across England and Wales young people

like Xander are discovering the God who loves

them, thanks to your prayers and your gifts.

If you’d like to make a gift towards this

summer’s life-changing ministry, go to

www.scriptureunion.org.uk/donate

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This happened three years ago. I’m still somewhat cynical and still do far too many things which God would rather I didn’t. But I’m saved by the blood of Jesus. And I am trying to live my life for him. I far too often fall short of being the man Jesus wants me to be, but that’s the beauty of following him: despite my weaknesses and failings, Jesus loves me and suffered and died for me. When I screw up, he comforts me and forgives me.

Eternally gratefulFor anyone who wants to know Jesus but feels they’re missing something, I’d encourage you to keep trying to know him. God tells us that those who look for him will fi nd him (Matthew 7:7,8). It took me fi ve years but it was defi nitely worth it!

The reason I will be eternally grateful to Scripture Union holidays is that through the cruises I came to be a follower of Jesus. I still go sailing with friends in the Norfolk Broads, inviting non-Christian friends along too. This summer I am volunteering with Scripture Union as part of the Harriers B sailing holiday. If I help just one other person to faith, I will be very happy indeed.


SUNDAY 10Thank God for the way he spoke to Xander through SU holidays and for his changed life.

MONDAY 11Lift up to God all the sailing holidays this summer, including Mallards and Harriers.

TUESDAY 12Pray for testimonies from this summer that will speak to those who don’t yet know Christ.

WEDNESDAY 13Ask God to bless those already back from holidays – that they will keep hold of him at home.

THURSDAY 14The Big Adventure is taking place in Buxton, Derbyshire. Pray for safety but loads of fun.

FRIDAY 15Please pray for changed lives at Wide Open at Great Wood in Somerset, starting tomorrow.

SATURDAY 16Please pray a special blessing on the SU@Soul Survivor holiday starting tomorrow.

With thanks to www.thebridge-uk.com

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Over the next two weeks, a number of regional residential holidays take place in the North – Voice Residential, Step Out, X:site North and Re-fresh. Pray especially for Re-fresh which is aimed at older young people who have served on activities and want to discover more about leadership and how they can make the best use of their gifts.

SUNDAY 17

In Kenya, SU, together with eight other organisations, has been developing a curriculum for a programme of Pastoral Instructions that has potential to be used in all the primary schools in the country. Thank God for the progress thus far. Pray that the curriculum will get approval from Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. Pray for the team as they continue to develop the materials. Pray that they will get partners to work alongside them in this programme.

WEDNESDAY 20

Pray for the work of Engage, our local ministry partners in Woking. They have one full-time worker, Patrick Coad and one part-time worker, Chrissie Lacey. Their work which began in 1994 consists of primary assemblies, lunchtime and after-school clubs, storytelling and occasional lessons. The SU resource, It’s Your Move is used to support children in the move to secondary school. The focus in secondary schools is relational work including a chaplaincy team, drop-in times, one-to-one mentoring programmes, CU groups and clubs, RE and other lessons and some assemblies.

FRIDAY 22

Thank God for the increasing numbers accessing WordLive. Pray that the users of both WordLive and the printed Bible reading guides will fi nd that God speaks to them in their own situation and that they will grow closer to him and become more effective for him as a result.

TUESDAY 19

Pray for all those who will be using Light and LightLive tomorrow as they look at Psalm 25, discovering that God keeps them safe, and ask God to communicate his love and care to them. Pray for writers and editors working on material for the future that they will know God’s leading.

SATURDAY 23

Today Tim Hastie-Smith, National Director, leaves for an eleven day trip to SU Tajikistan, looking to grow the relationship between the two movements, and forge links with Soul Survivor and Open Doors. They will also be planning for a young leaders’ conference next year. Pray for safety, for God’s guiding in all the discussions and for a clear way forward for the emerging SU work in Tajikistan.

THURSDAY 21

Thank God that funding has been approved for the ongoing development of the new children’s digital Bible engagement initiative, Project CUBE. The aim is for a full launch next year. More funding is still needed; please pray that it will be forthcoming, and for the development teams as they continue with the work.

MONDAY 18

23


As the new term fast approaches, please join with Festive (one of our ministry partners working nationally), in praying for students starting college and sixth form. It can be a daunting time of transition, where students face many challenges to stay strong in their faith. Please pray that they would remain rooted in the Lord, fi nd other Christians to meet with and be able to witness in the place where God has put them.

THURSDAY 28

Scripture Union’s International Publishing Group has launched an initiative to help movements with little or no publishing experience that would like to take fi rst steps in publishing. They are working through a series of tasks preparing to publish a ten-day Bible reading guide for 8 to 11s, based on Big Bible Challenge. Two weeks of training over the internet will follow in October, when they create their publication using desktop publishing. Pray that this will open up new possibilities for ministry.

SUNDAY 24

Pray for children and young people who have been on Scripture Union activities this summer as they prepare to return to school. Often the activity will have been a high point where they will have met with God in powerful ways. School can seem a very different environment, where it is hard to maintain that relationship. Pray that God will be very close to them and that they will recall all the experiences of the summer.

FRIDAY 29

A new X:site will launch in Kettering next month. Six local churches of different denominations are working together. Pray for the team as they prepare, asking for vision and enthusiasm, that there will be enough volunteers and that children will be prepared to come out and will invite non-Christian friends.

SATURDAY 30

Pray for the publishing administration team (Karen Evans, Jan Massey and Lizzie Telfer) as they upload the LightLive, WordLive and SchoolsLive material and ensure the smooth running of the publishing team, liaising with writers and outside suppliers.

WEDNESDAY 27

Many SU Scotland staff members are involved in delivering religious observance in schools (school assemblies). Pray for clarity in presentation and for good relationships to be built with school staff. The Secular Society in Scotland continues to lobby against what they see as Christians abusing their opportunities in schools. Please pray for great wisdom in speaking about faith in these contexts.

MONDAY 25

Please pray for Contagious, our local ministry partner in Alnwick, as they seek to appoint a new worker. Pray also for their work running many weekly clubs, evening meetings, holiday clubs, residential holidays, street work and one-off events throughout the year. Volunteers for Contagious work in schools in Alnwick in conjunction with local churches.

TUESDAY 26

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SU & YOU

Fantastic fundraisers!Bolton Scripture Union QuizCould it be the longest-running fundraising event in the history of SU? The 59th Annual Bolton SU Quiz took place in March, gathering people of all ages and raising an impressive amount towards our vital work. This year’s event included a special tribute to Douglas H. Leather. M.B.E., who founded the Quiz in aid of Scripture Union back in 1955.

The height of fundraising! Back in April, South East Regional Team Leader Richard Shaw hoped to step out of a plane to raise funds for Scripture Union’s work in Tajikistan. However, a broken rib prevented Richard from from jumping (this time!). Fortunately, Ben Poch from Richard’s team was brave enough to step up to the mark and together with intern Chris Bint, they took the leap from 10,000ft, landing safely (thank goodness!), raising over £1,000. Richard and Chris plan to return

to Tajikistan this year to help and to be inspired. ‘It’s a wonderful country and SU is doing utterly brilliant work there, with children and young people,’ says Richard. Online giving is still open at www.justgiving.com/Tim-Hastie-Smith

More news and ways you can get involved with our life-changing work

A Golden Gift for David and Margaret

David and Margaret Bowker will be celebrating an amazing 50 years of marriage this year and hope to mark it with a gift to something else they both love:

‘Scripture Union’s wonderful work with children and young people through holiday clubs, summer camps and schools.’

Should anyone reading this who has known them during the past 50 years, wish to help celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with a gift to Scripture Union, please visit www.justgiving.com/David-Margaret-Bowker2

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Sticky Faith: helping young people hold on to God

Free Top Tips videosFor nearly 150 years, Scripture Union’s aim has been to equip Christians and to bring the Bible to life for children and young people. And with so many years of experience under our belt, we’ve got loads of great tips to share to help people do more with their own ministry.

In May, we launched our new Top Tips video series that features over 40 short videos, each with a ‘top tip’ for those working with children and young people in a range of contexts. The videos are free to watch and cover a whole range of subjects from building relationships with children to running a small group.

So if you run a holiday club, help out with junior church or lead a school group, give your ministry a boost by visiting www.scriptureunion.org.uk/toptipsvideos

Across England and Wales, our Sticky Faith training workshops are getting churches talking about how best to ‘make faith stick’ among our young people. Recent research found that up to half of all Christian youth group members fail to stick with their faith or connect with a new church after they leave high school. Something needs to change.

Over the last two years, Scripture Union and Urban Saints have been working together with local churches to deliver Sticky Faith workshops which explore some brand new approaches, making a real difference.

See the Regions section of our website for the latest information about Sticky Faith training events near you: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/regions

Scripture Union: Helping your church to share God’s love with children

If you want to help the children and young people in your church to develop strong spiritual foundations, our Bible-based Sunday group resources could be just what you need. Light and Mosaic give you a �exible toolbox of ideas, stories, activities and more to run fun Bible-centered sessions that kids will really enjoy and which you don’t need to spend hours preparing!

If you want to help the children and young people in your church to develop strong

Call us on 01908 856006, visit your local Christian bookshop, or online at www.scriptureunion.org.uk/shop

Light: Curriculum- based materials, published quarterly

Mosaic: Designed for small groups of children with a wide age range (covers 3-14)

Children’s Sundaygroup resources

FREE tips and advice on children’s ministry: Top tips videos from our experts: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/toptipsvideos

For speci�c help with your children’s ministry from our regional sta�, call us on 01908 856000 or �nd your local team here: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/regions

Order NOW ready for the new term!

Connecting You | June – August 2014

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Transcript of Connecting You | June – August 2014