Children and Families Ministry
Christmas/New Year Update
These resources are compiled by Chris Barnett from the Intergenerational Ministry - Children & Families team at equipping Leadership for Mission (eLM) in the Synod of VIC/TAS. Thanks Chris for this valuable resource!
As is customary for this final Update for the year, let me say a big THANK YOU to all who graciously allow their fine work to be disseminated via these Updates. It is a real privilege on my part to be able to share such a wealth of quality material. Thank you, too, to all those who have taken the time across the year to express their appreciation for these Updates and to those who encourage me by simply continuing to receive these Updates each month. Speaking of the actual Updates, see below for ideas for Advent through to Easter – plus multiple events (see Items 9. and 10.) to consider early in the year. May your Christmas be filled with much love, joy and peace, any holidays with much refreshment and your New Year with abundant hope and blessing.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTRY – CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR
1. Children & Families Ministry: Core issues in diverse contexts Jan 27-29, Feb 1-3
Following the amazing response to the recent Nurturing Children’s Spirituality unit (with participants from Hobart to Helsinki), the next intensive offering is rapidly approaching (commencing Jan 27). Children & Families Ministry: Core issues in diverse contexts intensive is especially suitable for ministers, pastors, chaplains, Christian educators and those in paid children & families roles. Available on-line or on-site, If you’ve not already considered participating then let me encourage you to do so – a great way to begin your 2022 learning! More information here.
2. Advent & Christmas Resources
Blue Christmas
PRC Christmas & Advent
Days of Advent 2021 (UCA)
Practicing Christmas at Home (Build Faith
Christmas: Messy Church at Home (Messy Church)
3. More Advent & Christmas Resources
Who built the stable? (Ashley Bryan)
An Advent reflection (Hee Won Chang)
St. Nicholas the Giftgiver (Ned Bustard)
Nativity Story: a reading (Alex Sangster)
2021 FREE Advent Kit (Sally Lloyd-Jones)
4. Parenting for Faith at Christmas
Christmas gratitude (Parenting for Faith)
Finding what fits for your family (Parenting for Faith)
Getting through Christmas when it’s hard (Parenting for Faith)
10 Ideas for interesting Christmas conversations (Parenting for Faith)
Even more Christmas and Advent articles for parents (Parenting for Faith)
5. Epiphany Resources
Epiphany resources (Building Faith)
Journey of the Kings (Muddy Church)
An Epiphany Reflection (Sandy Brodine)
Epiphany ideas and resources (Going 4 Growth)
Epiphany weekly intergenerational resources (Intergen)
6. Day of Mourning – January 23, 2022
Day of Mourning (AIATSIS)
2022 Day of Mourning (UCA)
2021 Day of Mourning stories (UCA)
2020 & 2019 Day of Mourning resources (UCA)
Aboriginal Sunday Church Resource Toolkit (Common Grace)
7. Back to School Ideas
Growing up together (UCA VicTas)
Back to School blessings (NZ CMN)
Back to School ideas and resources (UMC)
Blessing of the Backpacks (Grow Ministries)
Back to School worship resource (Illustrated Ministry)
8. Lent Ideas
Lent Event (Uniting World)
Lent & Easter (Strandz)
Lent & Easter (Messy Church)
Lent in 3 Minutes (Busted Halo)
2022 Lent & Easter weekly intergenerational resources (Intergen)
9. Amplify Hubs March 5
Amplify is the country’s largest Children & Families/Youth ministry training event. Focusing on Children & Families ministry, Youth ministry and Serving Schools, this is a great opportunity for individuals and teams to learn and grow together. In 2021 it experimented with a Hub model and is seeking to expand the concept in 2022. The key presenter for 2022 has been confirmed as Rachel Turner from Parenting for Faith and Victorian Hubs will provide the opportunity to actually gather in-person! Hubs are being offered across the state in the places listed below…
Berwick, Geelong, Mitcham*, Nunawading, Bairnsdale, Benalla, Bendigo, Traralgon, Warrnambool
More information and registration details: Amplify 2022
*= Schools-focussed Hub
10. Two More Events to Consider Jan 20 & Mar 11
· The Future of the Church? January 20 4am AEDT
For those who value connecting with key leaders from around the world sufficiently to participate at 4am (or even earlier depending on your time zone), this is a chance to engage with and respond to the recent Multi-national Children's Ministry Report 2021 (see attached flyer for more information). This is a unique opportunity to bring our perspective into a global re-thinking of the existing framework/s of ministry amongst families at this pivotal time. Register for this free event via The Future of the Church?.
• On-line Safety for Leaders of Children & Youth March 11 1pm AEDT
The National Safe Church Unit (NSCU) is partnering with the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner to deliver an online safety webinar for adults, particularly those who are leaders of children and/or youth as part of the Church. The Office of the e-Safety Commissioner leads and regulates online safety efforts by the Australian Government. This FREE webinar will…
- explore current technology trends and issues for young people
- examine the online environment and safe online interactions with children and young people
- help manage risks and support young people in a youth group environment
- highlight e-Safety resources for leaders of children and youth
The webinar will be 1 hour in duration and registration is via e-Safety webinar.