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Welcome to the June 2008 Children's Workers' newsletter. |
Summer is here and the many joys that it brings have arrived with it. Such as longer and lighter days, lunchtimes in the garden or park, trips out without a coat on and in a children’s worker's context: preparation for holiday clubs, camps, events and day trips out with our groups and Churches. There is also the prospect of a slower workload and holidays in August to uplift and revitalise.
The beginning of July is the start of Methodist Conference 2008 we ask you to keep this in your prayers. This year it is taking place in Scarborough. Some of you may be asking what is Conference? The Methodist Conference meets annually, hosted by a different district or group of districts each year. It first met in 1744 under John Wesley, who gathered together his assistants (both ordained ministers and itinerant lay preachers) to confer together about 'what to teach, how to teach, and what to do, i.e. how to regulate our doctrine, discipline and practice.'The contemporary Conference is a gathering of representatives from each Methodist district, along with some who have been elected by the Conference and some ex officio members and respresentatives of the Youth Conference. The Conference is the body that agrees policy for the Methodist Church. Of particular interest this year is the new Youth Participation Strategy and the Equalities and Diversity online resource.
For more information on issues that are being debated this year visit www.methodistconference.org.uk.
Festivals and events Breakout: Beyond Greenbelt 22—25 Aug 2008 Greenbelt is an independent Christian charity working to express love, creativity and justice in the arts and contemporary culture in the light of the Christian gospel. The festival caters for all ages and has a family feel about it. There are dedicated programmes run for children and young people offering a fun, vibrant and exciting time. An opportunity to experience church in a different way. This festival is suitable for a whole church to attend, individuals, families, youth or children's groups. They are also looking for volunteers to help with their childrens programme. for more information visit www.greenbelt.org.uk
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This new free online resource is now live, produced by MethodistChildren and MAYC through JMA and World Action for the whole Church to engage with the issue of Climate Change Every Methodist church has been sent a poster, a postcard and pocket card. To order more email children@methodistchurch.org.uk closing date for orders 1st September 2008. Methodist young people have challenged every Methodist church to take the issue of Climate Change seriously. Stem The Tide will resource and help each church to get involved in taking a 'Month of Action' on Climate Change The resource has been shaped by the responses of a survey sent out to children and young people in the Methodist Church. This resource will enable all ages in every church to engage in a really effective month of action, in turn kick starting a longer term change. The resource is flexible and churches can choose when they want to take their Month of Action. There is plenty of material to use with children’s groups, youth groups; all age worship, Bible study, sermons and more. There will be plenty of facts, ideas, activities and evaluation tools that will help both study and action - both as individuals and as a group. There will also be a focus on the impact of climate change on the Pacific Islands, and those who live there. The web address is www.stemthetide.org.uk (A poster has been sent to each church, with room for you to fill in which month your church has chosen for its month of action, along with postcards and information pocket cards to raise awareness.) Changing Actions free texting service offers a monthly text full of tips, encouragement and information on Climate Change. Txt Climate Change to 07786205203 Press Release from Lambeth Palace on behalf of the co-presidents of Churches Together in England 6th June Church leaders have called upon Christians throughout England to use the period from 1st September until 4th October as an opportunity to put the environment at the heart of their worship. The ‘Time For God’s Creation’ initiative, which would run annually, follows a resolution made at the Third European Ecumenical Assembly in 2007, attended by representatives of Europe’s Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches, that the period “be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change. Why not make this your month of action ?
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Stem the Tide
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Resources
From the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis Films are a great way to introduce and start discussions with your groups. Take your group to see the film then have nibbles and a discussion afterwards. The Prince Caspian message is simple one about faith. Although still aimed at children, the movie may appeal more to older children, as the majority of the film revolves around a war and many battle sequences which occupy probably close to an hour or more of the picture. What difference does it make having God in our lives? What does faith mean ? Prince Caspian is a fantasy film about war, with a message of faith. New CORE modules
This practical and creative module aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of children with disabilities and explore ways to make all activities accessible, inclusive and welcoming. This is in addition to the first module which enables children's workers to support children through the different transitional experiences in their journey from infancy to early adolescence. Both these modules are available from the website for £3 each. Something useful for your notice boards Why not print the information below and put it on your Church noticeboard? (Download as a Word .doc here) The following organisations offer confidential help to young people. This means that they won't pass on anything a child or young person tells them, unless they are in danger and need immediate help. They won't contact parents or guardians if the child or young person doesn't want them to.
Remember that not all these lines are free-phone, and if you are calling from a mobile phone, a lot of free-phone help line numbers may not be free to mobile phone networks. ChildLine Get Connected NSPCC Supportline Youth2Youth Bullying Online Connexions |
A new film Prince Caspian
The second of the CORE downloadable modules can now be bought from Are you thinking about studying or taking up children's work full time? Vocational Courses at Cliff College Derbyshire Cliff College currently offers two undergraduate Diploma courses especially adapted for those engaged in ministry among children and young people: Childrens evangelism and nurture Youth Mission and Ministry Both programs are offered through part-time intensive study blocks spaced out through the year, designed to work as in-service training for both voluntary and paid children's and youth workers. Vocational DegreeLaunched in September 2007, the part-time BA (Hons) course is especially adapted for those engaged in ministry among children and young people: BA in Children's and Youth Ministry For more information visit www.cliffcollege.org |
More CORE Issues in TrainingStop the Press!There are only 30 spaces left on this exciting training weekend and thanks to a grant from the St Christopher's Educational Trust we can offer more bursaries for places up to £75.00. Ask your Church or Circuit if they can sponsor you to come to this valuable event.
MORE Core Issues in Training at the University of Nottingham from Friday 5th September to Sunday 7th September 2008. There will be workshops on transitions, special needs, global issues, as well as time spent looking at young leaders, spirituality and where the governments in the nations are heading with children's issues. This is an event not to be missed! You can book in now for the Conference by downloading the booking form from here - http://www.methodistchildren.org.uk/adults/More Core booking form.pdf The cost is £150 per person (bursaries available for up to £75) - talk to your Church Council or Circuit about supporting you to get there! Contact secretary@cgmcontheweb.com for more information |
This ecumenical training conference is not to be missed! For those working with children, children's workers and beyond!Bite The Bullet Conference The problem of violent crime, in particular youth violence is a growing concern in society today. In response to this a one day conference in Brixton this July is being organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and Ascension Trust. NCH National Growing Strong Conference Emotional wellbeing means having the inner strength, resilience and self-esteem to make the most of life’s opportunities while coping with the challenges it throws up. Good emotional health and wellbeing is the bedrock of children and young people’s future hopes and happiness, enabling them to enjoy life, grow and learn adequately and realise their potential. In order to do this, children and young people need to feel safe, healthy and confident with good social skills. NCH’s National Growing Strong Conference, organised in partnership with CareandHealth, aims to highlight the significance and impact of emotional wellbeing for children and young people. Attend and see how support, partnership working and early intervention can be combined to help children and young people develop into happy, stable and capable adults and prevent future negative behaviour. In the current social climate of increased family breakdown, targeted advertising and school testing, the pressures children are under is greater than ever. With recent reports suggesting that children and young people in the UK have one of the lowest levels of emotional wellbeing in the developed world, and media coverage on depression amongst young people – as well as self harming and bullying - this conference is indeed very topical. This groundbreaking event will inspire you to think more creatively and systematically about emotional wellbeing as a means of improving the lives of the young people you work with and raising their ambitions and achievements. It will also help you embed emotional wellbeing in your local CYPP. Best practice workshops will demonstrate how lives have been changed and ambitions and achievements raised in a range of services settings. As part of NCH Growing Strong Campaign they consulted children and young people on gun and knife crime – how they are affected by it, why they think it happens and what they think the solutions might be. they wanted to offer young people the chance to be heard, to highlight their experiences and to have a role in shaping the solutions to this important issue. Over 800 children and young people from across the UK – particularly those from hard to reach and particularly vulnerable communities – responded during a six month consultation period and NCH have used their responses to form the basis of a briefing paper: Download: Step Inside Our Shoes: Young people's views on gun and knife crime (PDF - 343 K) on www.nch.org.uk
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Burma Appeal Funds received will be channelled through Church World Service, which is working in the most affected areas. |
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If
you require any further information please contact us on children@methodistchurch.org.uk MethodistChildren is part of the Connexional Team of the |
