Children and Families Ministry Update
FEBRUARY

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 – FEBRUARY 2022

1.       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.

More information and registration details: Amplify 2022

2.       Lent & Easter

Celebrating Shrove Tuesday (Kids Friendly)
Ash Wednesday resources (Going 4 Growth)
Lenten resources (Building Faith)
Lenten Resources from A Sanctified Art: webinar recording (PRC)
Lent and Easter – Online Resource Center – PRC – Practical Resources for Churches

3.       Some Resources to Explore

Starting Out (SU) The classic resource, now available on-line!
Faith in Kids resources (Faith in Kids)
Creation connection: a series for children (Arocha)
Children & Families ministry resources (Great Plains UMC)
Children’s & Youth ministries in smaller churches (The Creative Little Church)

4.       Via CRCNA

Faith Storytelling toolkit (CRCNA)
Open to Wonder: podcast (CRCNA)
52 Faith practice reflection tips (CRCNA)
Justice in community and at home (CRCNA)
Building resilience amongst children and teens (CRCNA)

5.       Planning for ministry

Planning your ministry year (Stuff you can use)
Six steps for planning youth ministry (London Anglican)
Free tools and resources for planning (Ministry Architects)
Ten Building Blocks for a Children's Ministry Strategy (Childrens Ministry Basics)
Developing a plan for ministry with children and families (Children’s Ministry Basics)

6.       Stretching our practice

Celebration as a faith practice (CRCNA)
Keys to involving children in worship (Mimi Larson)
Gender inclusive children’s ministry (Building Faith)
Re:thinking the framework of ministry amongst families (Sarah Holmes)
Mapping inter-cultural neighbourhoods: a CALD-intercultural ministry survey (UCA)

7.       Children’s Spirituality

Children’s Spirituality: searching for meaning and connectedness (Brendan Hyde)
Children’s Spirituality: what is and why it matters (Rebecca Nye)
How children are spiritual: recording (Robin Barfield)
How children are spiritual: recording (Sarah Holmes)
How children are spiritual (ppt re above)

8.       Via Fuller

Teenagers and mental health (Fuller)
Sparking family conversations (Fuller)
Overcoming the empathy gap (Fuller)
Partnering with parents – podcast (Fuller)
Four key insights for ministry with teenagers in 2022 (Fuller)

9.       Via Lifelong Faith

Networks of lifelong learning (Lifelong Faith)
Becoming a centre for lifelong learning (Lifelong Faith)
Lifelong faith formation for today’s world (John Roberto)
Lifelong faith: formation for all ages and generations (John Roberto)
Faith formation for all ages: FREE Video-based training (Lifelong Faith)

10.   Two Camps for Families + One Important Event

·       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.

·       Uniting Faith & Family Camp             March 11 - 14               Mt. Evelyn

Spring boarding from Mary Oliver's "Instructions for living a life", this Uniting Faith & Family Campis all about strengthening our practices, exploring our spirit, and sharing our stories. How can we further build our faith practices? Why should we investigate our faith stories? What are the ways we can share these with those around us? More information and registration here.

·       Messy Church Family Camp               March 11 - 14                  Halls Gap

Acacia Campsite at Halls Gap will be the venue for the inaugural Messy Church Family Camp from March 11-14. The theme of the camp is “Heroes” and families taking part can enjoy arts and crafts, games and sports, Bible stories and bush walks. Click here for more information, registrations close February 21.