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!

Welcome to the CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR Children & Families Update!

As has become customary at this time of the year, let me say “Thank You” to all those who have so graciously allowed me to highlight their material this past year. Thank you, also, to all those who have engaged with the content, passed it on to others and/or expressed your appreciation. Whatever 2020 has been for you, may your start to 2021 be filled with much hope, joy and blessing.

As always, feel free to share the links below amongst your congregation, region and networks as you see fit – especially noting the Amplify event taking place in March.

Christmas Ideas (for now or next year)

Christmas Hallelujah (+ ppt words)
Christmas Lights (Horsham Uniting)
The Greatest Present (Snack Music)
Christmas story in chocolate (A Country Priest)
A Christmas Storycine: Guess where God was? (UCA)

Lent Ideas

Lent in Three Minutes (Busted Halo)
2021 Lent Engage Together (UCA)
Lent Event (UCA)
Easter Family Faith Trail (UCA)
Multi-age Lent Ideas (Build Faith)

Back to School Ideas

Back to school (Building Faith)
Growing up together (UCA VicTas)
Blessing of the backpacks (Grow Ministries)
Back to school (Worshiping with Children)
Back to school worship ideas (Feed My Family)

Day of Mourning Resources

Day of Mourning background (AIATSIS)
Day of Mourning 2021 Resource (UCA)
Day of Mourning 2020 Resource (UCA)
Day of Mourning resources (Pilgrim UC)
Day of Mourning resources (Common Grace)

Some Holiday Listening and Reading

Children and intergenerational community (Church of Scotland)
The greatest challenge in children’s ministry (ReFocus Ministry)
What not to do with kids (Forming Church)
Talking race and gender in Sunday School (Faith Forward)
Intergenerational Podcasts: the complete series (Work Experience)

Covid Corner

How Covid will shape Generation Alpha (McCrindle)
Mental health resources for young people (UCA Youth)
Leading emerging generations through a crisis (McCrindle)
Understanding how Covid-19 has shaped society (McCrindle)
Faces, spaces & Zoom fatigue: a theology of on-line youth ministry (Youthscape)

Amplify: ONLINE Children & Families and Youth Ministry Conference 6 March 2021

Don’t just Save the Date! Rather, highlight the date, communicate the date and plan to participate!

Previously known as Ignite and run in Queensland, Amplify has for over a decade been Australia’s largest Children & Families ministry training event. In 2021, though, Amplify will be moving on-line - thus making accessibility for those of us beyond Queensland much easier - and including Youth and Serving Schools streams. More information on speakers, electives and the overall process is coming soon.
Keep an eye on our Events page from now until the Amplify website goes live from January 20. In the meantime, feel free to e-mail chris.barnett@victas.uca.org.au for the latest info.

Highlighted 2021 Events (for your diary, watch out for more)

Feb 20                Messy Church National Conference (On-line – 3.30pm AEDT)

Mar 6                  Amplify (On-line + Hub model – watch out for more State-specific details)

Apr 22                 Messy Discipleship Book Launch (Online – 1.30pm AEST)

May 24-26          Children’s Spirituality Summit/InterGenerate (Online)

Jul 26-28            InterGenerate AUS (Sydney + On-line)

TBC                      Leaders to Go (Online + Hub model)