This beautiful altar frontal from Wells Cathedral reminds us that Pentecost is not far away (15th May). The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are asking Christians to use Pentecost as a time to pray for more people to follow Jesus. All the details are on the Thy Kingdom Come website. If you would like some simple prayer ideas for children, families and young people to use, email me.
|
|
|
Picture Book Theology is a site which explores the potential of using secular story books to explore theological themes with children. Some of the exploring is more didactic than discovery, but it opens your eyes to the ways that picture books can make connections between faith and life.
|
90 not out....
Queen Elizabeth turns 90 on 21st April, and celebrations are being held all over the country. If you are looking for ideas to get your church or school involved, there's a stack of ideas on the Church Care website.
|
Additional Needs
Families come in many forms - but often churches struggle to know how to welcome families with additional needs. The following may be of help:
|
In 2012 I had the privilege of hearing Patricia Lyons speak about the theology of Harry Potter and how it had transformed her work as a school chaplain.
In this series of presentations from Forma 2014, she and Lisa Kimball offer some thoughts on how we encourage young people into the epic adventure of faith when the church instituion appears to have become an edifice. (The first video is rather out of synch, but stick with it.)
|
|
|
Whispering in church
There's a lots of 'Shhhh-ing' that happens in church. Carolyn Brown explores the importance of learning the art of whispering in church so that children and adults can engage in worship with each other rather than beside each other.
Check out some more of her very practical wisdom here. |
The importance of blessing
Blessing and praying for and with children builds the connection between life and faith. But how to start? This helpful article offers simple ideas which don't involve lots of prepartion or props. It would be a good handout to give to baptism families, offering them a way of keeping the promises made on the day of their child's baptism.
|
|
|
|
|
