Children and Families Ministry
SEPTEMBER 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 – SEPTEMBER

1.       2021 Leaders to Go               September 11   On-line  12.15pm-3pm AEST

Australia’s premier event for leaders influencing other leaders in ministry with children and their families, Leaders to Go will be more accessible than ever before as it moves on-line! As well engaging with the amazing Susy Lee, author of Raising Kids Who Care, there will be plenty of opportunity to connect with other leaders from all around Australia. Click here for More information and/or here regarding Registration.

2.       Father’s Day

Father’s Day resources (Strandz)
Father’s Day ideas (Salvation Army)
Father’s Day worship ideas (Re:think Worship)
Prayers for Mother’s and Father’s Days (Building Faith)
KIdzone: check after Sep 1 for Father’s Day edition (Kidzone)

3.       National Child Safe Week (Sep 5-11)

Child Safe Sunday resources (UCA)
I feel safe when…colouring-in and art activity (UCA)
We are a safe church when…on-line forum for ministry agents (UCA)
National Child Safe Unit: training and resources (UCA)
Keeping Children Safe resources (UCA)

4.       via Messy Church

Psalm 40: multi-age liturgy (MC Aus)
Discipleship goes Messy: article (UCA)
Extreme Crafts: 80 activity ideas for the adventurous (BRF)
Messy Vintage: faith, fun and fellowship for older generations (BRF)
Messy Discipleship: Messy Church perspectives on growing faith (UCA)

5.       via Grow Ministries

Woven Together: resource for families (Grow Ministries) NEW
Grow Together Family Newsletter + sample (Grow Ministries)
Equipping faith at home (Grow Ministries)
Tips for faith at home (Grow Ministries)
Faith at Home (Grow Ministries)

6.       2021 Season of Creation

2021 Season of Creation (Season of Creation)
Children and Creation Care (eco congregation Scotland)
Season of Creation: Early Word/Children’s Addresses (UCA)
Faith Ecology Network: 10 things to do (Faith Ecology Network)  
Faith Ecology Network: a Uniting Church lens (Faith Ecology Network)

7.       via Fuller

Listening across generations (Fuller)
Learning to listen to teenagers (Fuller)
Identity, belonging and purpose: podcast (Fuller)
Superhero films as modern-day identity parables for Gen Z (Fuller)
How parents can have better conversations with teenagers (Fuller)

8.       Ministry Matters +

Scripture & Trauma (Ministry Matters)
Planning creative worship (Ministry Matters)
Three things families need (Ministry Matters)
Ten things I’ve learned about trauma (Sojourners)
Caring for mental health in congregations (Ministry Matters)

9.       Some Highlighted Opportunities

·       Worship & Preaching            Weekly On-line Training from Sep 1       7pm-9pm

The world has and is changing and many are seeking new ways of leadership and being in church. Pick and choose the sessions which are most relevant for you and your community. Join in by yourself or connect with others from your church. More information here.

·       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.