Children and Families Ministry
OCTOBER 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!

CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTRY – OCTOBER

1. Ministry in Minecraft            FREE Zoom Event            October 20        7pm AEDT

Over the past 18 months Rev. Sandy Brodine has been exploring creative ways of engaging her community with-in Minecraft. Drawing on this experience, in this FREE on-line event Sandy will particularly focus on…

• Prayer possibilities
• Building Bible stories
• Engaging intergenerationally   

…with-in the Minecraft context. Whether you’re familiar with Minecraft or not, this promises to be a fascinating evening for all!

More information & Registration: Ministry in Minecraft, using Minecraft in Ministry

2. Halloween Resources

Halloween ideas (Strandz)
Shining in the darkness (Roots)
All Hallows’ Eve resources (BRF)
Something to smile about (UCA SA)
Halloween ministry resources (Ministry Tools Resource Centre)

3. Games Ideas (via AYCF, Brisbane)

8 Quick Games (Build Faith)
Ice-breakers and Group Games (Jubed)
Games & Ice-breakers (The Source4ym)
11 Fun Ice-breakers (Christian Camp Pro)
20 Fun Games for On-line Groups (Youth Group Games)

4. via Max7

Parable of the Great Banquet animation (Max7)
A Fun Family Event (Max7)
Fun trick: 3 Rope classic (Max7)
Fun craft: Paper Helicopters (Max7)
Fun idea: Drawing on your head (Max7)

5. via CRCNA

Building Blocks of Faith Toolkit (CRCNA)
Faith Practices Project: Service (CRCNA)
5 Ways to practice service as a family (CRCNA)
Living like Jesus: service as a faith practice (CRCNA)
Strengthening intergenerational mentoring (Generation Spark)

6. Via AIR (Australian Intergenerational Roundtable)

AIR Resource Paper 1: What is AIR?
AIR Resource Paper 2: Recommended Intergenerational Reading
AIR Resource Paper 3: 23 Easy Things To Try
AIR Resource Paper 4: Toward a Common Understanding
Air Resource Paper 5: An Eastern and Western Perspective

7. via Faith Forward (Podcasts)

Fostering healthy spirituality in families: Cindy Wang Brandt (Faith Forward)
Holy listening with children: Lacy Finn Borgo (Faith Forward)
Emancipatory youth ministry: Annie Lockhart-Gilroy (Faith Forward)
Pandemic-era innovation: M. Nichol, S. Argue, T. Smith (Faith Forward)
Youth ministry as a practice of non-violence: Elizabeth Corrie (Faith Forward)

8. via the Justice Cluster (UCA)

A Covenanting Guide (UCA)
Nov 6 Justice Convention (UCA)
A Vision for a Just Australia (UCA)
Surrender Co Church Resources (Surrender)
A Statement from the Heart Study Guide (UCA)

9. Beginning to Think About Advent?

Advent: Something is Coming (Intergen)
KIdzone Christmas Resources (Salvation Army)
Christmas & Advent Resources (Messy Church)
BunchOKids Christmas mini-books (BunchOKids)
The Really Good News of Christmas (Bible Society)

10. Some Highlighted Opportunities

• Oct 12           Meet the First Peoples of Gondwana      9am-12.30pm

Join with Rev Dr Garry Deverell to listen and engage with his story and reflections as an indigenous person. Garry Deverell is a Trawloolway man from northern Lutrawita and is a regular contributor to radio programmes, podcasts, and conferences on Indigenous matters. Garry will be speaking on…

• Who are the First Nations/First Peoples of this country, and what is our traditional spirituality or way of life?
• What is the result of our history when it comes to First Nations health, well-being and socio-economic status?
• Who are the ‘Second Peoples’ and how can they be good allies in the Indigenous struggle for something resembling justice?

More information & registration: Meet the First Peoples of Gondwana

• Navigating the Landscape: building intercultural communities          Nov 3       9.30am-4pm

This workshop will offer opportunities to reflect on one’s own ministry practice and its cultural relevance in his/her present ministry context. It seeks to enhance greater awareness and intentionality in building intercultural skills for ministry and community building. More information here.

• Nurture & Spiritual Guidance of Children     Nov 24 - Dec 1

Especially suitable for church-based, school-based and community-based expressions of ministry, this course will assist you in developing an even more richly theologically-informed practice in relation to the spiritual nurture of children as you explore links between Scripture, theological thought, spiritual and psychological development. More information here.