St Albans Diocese April 2016

Welcome to the April issue of Children’s Ministry News; the newsletter for all involved in children’s work in our parishes and communities. It is available online or by post but you will need to sign up for it by emailing: youthoffice@stalbans.anglican.org or tel: 01727 818160. You can also find it on the Children’s pages of the Diocesan website: www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/children-s-work and via a link on our Facebook page: Children’s Ministry St Albans Diocese. Twitter: https://twitter.com/StAlbansCME

I’ve just come back from the annual Diocesan Children’s Workers conference at High Leigh – the theme this year was “formed by story” (you can see tweets from the event by following the hashtag #formedbystory, where you may be pleased to find that our very own Diocese was represented on the WINNING quiz team). One of the things that will stay with me are several of the excellent questions we discussed – I wanted to pass some of them on to you in the hope that they may inspire and guide your ministry as I’m sure they will mine.

1. Is the Bible one long story? What is that story about? What themes come up again and again? If the story of the Bible were a song, what words might be in the chorus?

2. How do the stories we tell about ourselves – individually and collectively – create our identity? What story does your church tell about themselves as God’s people? Is it a negative or a positive narrative?

3. How do we honour the story of our past without closing ourselves off from the next

chapter?

4. When approaching any Bible story, these five questions can help you explore it: a. When and why was this story written down? b. What does this story tell us about God? c. What does this story tell us about the world and ourselves? d. How does this story challenge us? e. How does this story comfort us?

I’ll be exploring some of these ideas at the storytelling event coming up at St Luke’s in Watford on 11th of June – do come along and make us part of your story! Peace,

Margaret

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In this edition of Children’s Ministry News: • Pocket Money Praise • St Albans Cathedral Family events • Pentecost Resources • Cliff College - course in mission & ministry amongst children • Messy News • Germinate! 2016 conference • Resources • The Alban Pilgrimage • Events, Conferences and Training.

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If you have access to a laminator, spend an afternoon searching the internet for artistic representations of Bible stories. Make sure you get a variety of styles and interpretations. Flesh out your collection with a bunch of generic images that reflect Biblical imagery – stars, planets, water, well, desert, mountain, tree, flower, mother and child, bread, grapes, stones, etc. Print them out in postcard size (you can also add actual postcards if you have some lying around) and laminate them.

These can then be used again and again in any number of ways, starting with:

1. Spread them out during Sunday School and have children choose an image that speaks to them. Pray while holding and looking at the images. Have them share, if they want, why they chose that particular image.

2. Another idea from the “Formed by Story” conference – have them take the photos and arrange them in order, with Genesis at one end and Revelation at the other. Besides showing how the Bible makes one big story, this will lead to discussions on where the generic images fit in. Is this picture of water part of Creation? Noah? The Baptism of Jesus? The Red Sea? You can use this as a springboard for discussing how these images crop up again and again in Scripture, and what that means.

3. Exploring how different artists have represented the same story. Why do you think they chose to draw it that way? What different feelings do the different images create in you? What do you think the artist is telling you about what she/he thinks is important about the story?

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Easter Holiday Workshop: Cosmic Costumes – 1700 Years of Fashion Thursday 7th April 10am - 12.30pm Learn all about clothes and fashion since the time of Alban, Britain’s first Saint. See what it’s like to wear the clothes of a Saxon, a Tudor or even a Roman Soldier! Our Family Discovery Mornings are always free of charge and you can drop in any time from 10am – we advise arriving before 11.30am so you can complete all of the fun activities on offer. Suitable for ages 3-11.

https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family/family-discovery-mornings

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PPeenntteeccoosstt RReessoouurrcceess ((SSuunnddaayy 1155tthh MMaayy)) ROOTS provide ecumenical, lectionary-based resources in two magazines, plus a huge library of online materials. Their resources are normally only available to ROOTS subscribers, but ROOTS has provided them free for you to try:

Simple worship activity for all ages These ideas are written to engage different ages, spiritual styles and learning preferences in worship, and help everyone to make a personal response to the reading.

Invite the congregation to join in the actions, and repeat these words after each spoken phrase: Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit (make wave motions with hands) In the beginning your Spirit hovered over the waters.

(make two fingers on each hand do a walking motion) Later your Spirit called to Sarah and Abraham to a new journey with you.

(blow as hard as you can) As time went on your Spirit spoke through the prophet Ezekiel and brought dry bones to life.

(make a beckoning motion) At the dawn of a new era your Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.

(create a heart shape with your hands) Jesus promised that your Spirit would never leave all who love him and keep his commandments. You can also download The Day of Pentecost - suitable for all ages, it is a dramatic retelling of the events of Pentecost, for two voices: http://www.rootsontheweb.com/seasons-and-festivals/Churchseasons/Pentecost/Drama_The_day_of_Pentecost

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Cliff College offers specialist part-time courses for those passionate about children, youth, third age, creative arts, sport and families. Their flexible and practice-based mode of study offers the opportunity to take a Certificate in Higher Education over two years, then go on to complete a Diploma and Degree. There is no need to leave home or the ministry you are involved in, as teaching is delivered online and in intensive weeks. For more details email: BAMM@cliffcollege.ac.uk or go to http://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/students/undergraduate/parttime/

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Welcome Welcome to St George’s Norton parish in the deanery of Hitchin, who have recently launched Messy Church. New Messy Resource Messy Hospitality - Changing communities through fun, food, friendship and faith

‘In Messy Hospitality’ Lucy Moore demonstrates how hospitality can be practised in Messy Church and other church contexts to promote mission and faith formation, addressing the theology of hospitality and how it can be expressed at the welcome table, the activity table, the Lord's Table, the meal table, and in the home. Also included are insights from the secular hospitality industry, how to train Messy Church teams in hospitality, audit-style questions for the reader to apply in their own context, and five complete session outlines for Messy Churches. ISBN: 9780857464156 Cost £9.99 To be published 22nd April http://www.brfonline.org.uk/9780857464156

@MessyWeek - The Messy Church Twitter Campaign As of May 2016, Messy Church will be launching a Twitter campaign where a different person or church from the Messy community will be tweeting from @MessyWeek for seven days, 52 weeks of the year. This is your chance to tell all those involved in Messy Church about your daily lives, Messy Churches, trials and celebrations. If you’re interested in getting involved, fill in the interest form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Yafc7XqNYiZlv3x7gxjb-NmFS1FX3Nw9XC_cyoWKPk0/viewform?c=0&w=1 Messy Church Pinterest Why not explore the Messy Church Pinterest board, where you’ll find visuals of many exciting crafts, activities, video clips, recipes and more. www.pinterest.com/MessyChurchBRF

GGeerrmmiinnaattee!! 22001166 ccoonnffeerreennccee:: MMaakkiinngg iitt hhaappppeenn The 2016 Germinate! Conference ‘Making it happen’ will focus on the challenge of deepening discipleship in order to inspire, encourage and equip flourishing rural mission. There are a couple of workshops which may particularly appeal to some of you: ‘Developing prayer’ led by a representative from Prayer Spaces in Schools, and ‘Making disciples in Messy Church’ led by Jane Butcher of BRF. The conference is being held on Coventry on Saturday 15th October, and if you book before the end of June the cost is £48 including lunch and refreshments. For more details check out:

http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/mission-and-ministry/germinate

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Together with God Together with God introduces the biblical background of family worship and explains its importance throughout Christian history, as well as the need for its renewal today. A final chapter gives advice on getting started and signposts helpful resources and guides. Together with God is designed for parents wishing to start family worship in their home, but will also be a great resource for Youth, Children and Family Workers, Ministers and Church leaders, and all who are concerned about passing on the faith to the next generation. Cost £6.95

http://www.togetherwithgod.org.uk/

God's Story for 5-7s 36 Bible-based sessions for midweek and Sunday groups, by Becky May Cost is £12.99 ISBN: 9780857464255 To be published 22nd April 2016 http://www.brfonline.org.uk/9780857464255/ Also:

God's Story for 7-11s 36 Bible-based sessions for midweek and Sunday groups, by Becky May. Cost is £12.99 ISBN: 9780857464262 To be published 22nd April 2016 http://www.brfonline.org.uk/9780857464262/ Let's share God's big story! You can use these books as a year-long weekly programme or dip in and out to highlight individual stories at key times of the year and supplement other activities. Varied storytelling methods enable children to engage with God's big story in different ways, with a range of activities to illustrate and explore the story, catering for different learning preferences and play styles and using materials that most children's groups will already have to hand. Fun, practical, interactive Bible teaching material!

36 key stories from the Bible A year's user-friendly session plans Wide range of easily-sourced activities Differentiated learning styles.

A FRESH approach to exploring God's BIG story!

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Join the crowds in St Albans as the city comes together to celebrate Britain's first saint, Alban. Enjoy a wonderful spectacle as giant carnival puppets tell the story of the remarkable man who gave the city its name. Roman chariots, centurions, lions and roses all take their place in the dramatic procession from St Peter's Church, through the historic streets to St Albans Cathedral. The Pilgrimage Procession begins through the City Centre at 11am, before ending at the West End of the Cathedral for the 12pm Festival Eucharist.

Children’s Worship and Activities

There will be a mixture of songs, readings and activities for children, before joining the Festival Eucharist for Communion. Children must be registered in advance to participate.

https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/the-alban-pilgrimage/

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April Cathedral Easter Holiday Workshop 7th April Cosmic Costumes – 1700 Years of Fashion St Albans Cathedral 10am - 12.30pm Learn all about clothes and fashion since the time of Alban, Britain’s first Saint. See what it’s like to wear the clothes of a Saxon, a Tudor or even a Roman Soldier! Our Family Discovery Mornings are always free of charge and you can drop in any time from 10am – we advise arriving before 11.30am so you can complete all of the fun activities on offer. Suitable for ages 3-11. https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family/family-discovery-mornings

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‘The Core’ conference 22nd - 23rd April Welwyn Garden City

No matter what your calling to youth and children’s ministry might look like, we are praying that ‘The Core’ will encourage you, equip you and enable you to grow what you do. There are seminar streams for employed workers, volunteers, and church leaders. The main conference is on Saturday 23rd April and the cost is £25 (including lunch). http://www.goldengiving.com/e/conference2016 3 Day Accredited Godly Play training 28th - 30th April Oxfordshire

The training follows an action/reflection model of learning & each day focuses on different kinds of Godly Play (sacred stories, parables and liturgical action/Church practice) so you will learn how different genres of Christian language can support spiritual exploration. Course to be led by Dr Rebecca Nye and Sue North-Coombes. Non-residential, lunches provided. Cost £295 including training handbook. For more details or to book email: sheila.rogers@talktalk.net http://www.godlyplay.uk/courses

May

Empowering Children as Ministers 12th May Cambridge

From 1st October it has been possible to include children among those authorised to administer the chalice at Holy Communion. But children have had a place as ministers in worship for centuries, as musicians for example. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the value of the ministry of children for congregations and for the children themselves, and to think about how to build on good practice to empower children in a variety of ministries. The cost for the day is £10 for Praxis affiliates, or £15 for non-affiliates. To book contact Gill Ambrose, tel: 07855 513506 or email: gill.ambrose@happyserver.co.uk www.praxisworship.org.uk/events_by_date.html Total Training Session: Working with Additional Needs 24th May High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden 7.45pm – 9.30pm Total Training Sessions are training and equipping evenings being run by ‘the267project’ for volunteers involved in youth and children’s work. This session will focus on ‘Working with Additional Needs’. The cost is £4 - for more details contact Mike Palin on 07789 815516 or email: mike@the267project.com. http://www.the267project.com/

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June Cathedral Holiday Workshop 2nd June: Special Journeys St Albans Cathedral 10am - 12.30pm Learn all about the history of pilgrimage and other journeys, including the history of the Alban Pilgrimage, with a fun trail to follow and activities to do! Our Family Discovery Mornings are always free of charge and you can drop in any time from 10am – we advise arriving before 11.30am so you can complete all of the fun activities on offer. Suitable for ages 3-11. https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family/family-discovery-mornings I Love to Tell the Story 11th June St Luke’s Church, Watford 10am – 1pm What is the story we're telling? During this half-day training event there’ll be workshops on using Godly Play, Beulah Land feltboard, Multi-Sensory storytelling and more. If you're involved in Children's ministry and/or All-Age Worship, then this event is for you. The event is free but places are limited and booking is essential. Contact Julie Cirillo for more details, or to book your place. Email: youthoffice@stalbans.anglican.org or tel: 01727 818160.

We pray for:

◊ all children’s workers, volunteers, and clergy, that they may be refreshed and restored after Holy Week and Easter

◊ all children in our nation, and especially in our Diocese, who will be affected by the latest round of spending cuts

◊ the unaccompanied child refugees.

St Albans Diocese Children’s Work Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE

Tel: 01727 818160 Fax: 01727 844469

Margaret Pritchard Houston - Diocesan Children’s Mission Enabler E: cme@stalbans.anglican.org Julie Cirillo - Administrator E: youthoffice@stalbans.anglican.org

Chris Lees - Diocesan Child Protection Adviser E: childprotection@stalbans.anglican.org Diocesan Resources Centre E: resources@stalbans.anglican.org

www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/children-s-work www.stalbans.anglican.org/schools/safeguarding

https://twitter.com/StAlbansCME http://stalbanscme.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Childrens-Ministry-St-Albans-Diocese/310836025679105

STRATEGY

INSPIRATION

LISTEN VISION

‘THE CORE’ is being organised by a partnership of the267project. Diocese of St Albans Youth Service, Phase and YoungLife International

Friday 22nd April to Saturday 23rd April 2016

Friday 5.00pm until Saturday 3.30pm

Cost: For a full ticket inc Friday night, food and accommodation – £40

For the Saturday only, 9am – 3.30pm, inc lunch and refreshments – £25

Encouraging and equipping your youthwork

THE C REA New Conference for Youth and Children’s Ministry

Connecting•Resourcing•Encouraging•Sending

At Christ Church Baptist, Indigo Court,

Welwyn Garden City

At Christ Church Baptist, Indigo Court, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1LG

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We believe that those of us that are involved in youth and children’s ministry have been ‘called’ by God to do what we do. That ‘calling’ looks different for each of us; it may be a full time or part time thing, it may be we volunteer just a few hours a month. Either way we believe it is a vital calling and we long to resource that calling.

This is what ‘THE CORE’ is all about, gathering together a bunch of people with a similar calling. We want to journey with you, offer relevant training, encourage you as you serve, resource you with practical elements and then consider ways we can connect you with like-minded others in your area. For us one of the key things with any of the training we offer is ‘how will we put it into action in the environment God has placed us?’

So no matter what your calling to youth and children’s ministry might look like we are praying that ‘THE CORE’ will encourage you, equip you and enable you to grow what you do.

So what sort of topics will be covered...Seminar Streams:

Stream One ‘STRONG FOUNDATIONS’

• Those who are maybe ‘called’ to youth and children’s ministry as a career: Looking at: Character (your soul), Call (your story), Community (your team) and Continuity (your plan)

Stream Two ‘COMMUNICATING A MESSAGE’

• Discovering and using my gifts, and the gifts of those around me! (getting volunteers!)

• How do we connect with God? – Knowing the languages of God!

• Bringing the Bible to life and Creative teaching with under 11’s!

Stream Three ‘RESOURCES FOR THE TASK’

• The art of invitation and inclusion

• Giving a talk that leaves a mark

• A big bag of ideas, resources and hooks!

Stream Four ‘CHURCH LEADERS’

• Line Management and getting the most out of a team

• Drop-In Clergy Clinic (to discuss youth and children’s ministry!)

Also there is...

A Networking Lunch with ‘Table Talk’ Topics:

• worship and teenagers• after Messy Church?• handling social media?• all-age services• mentoring

THE C RE

To book simply go to http://gldn.gg/e/conference2016 and follow the instructions.

Alternatively you can book by dropping us an email: pa@the267project.comIf you have any questions then simply drop Mike Palin, Director of the267project,

an email: director@the267project.com

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