Children, Youth and Families

inspire               connect                resource

Looking for some fresh inspiration?
Perhaps some connecting with others would help?
Can we help by offering you some resources?
Please ask us!
Either email Jacky or phone 07725 039942

These are some of the resources that other churches have found useful:

Supporting Work With Toddler Groups

There have been one day workshops around the association for clusters of churches.  These have been arranged through The Entheos Trust: Toddler Rocks and Toddler Grooves.
Some of the feedback:
"Honest, informative, motivating, strategic thinking, immensely practical."
"A great day to reignite our passion, to develop ideas and inspire us to share God's love with others!"
If your church would like to host such an event, please contact me for an initial discussion.

Messy Church

Is it real church?  Where do we start?  What resources will we need?
If your church is thinking about starting a Messy Church and would like someone to help work through some of these questions - and others! - please get in touch.
If you think an evening taster session or a half/whole day workshop could be useful, please get in touch.

Children's Spirituality, The Bible and Faith

This is a morning workshop taking a look at how we can help children and young people encounter God.
It includes a Godly Play taster with opportunity for personal reflection and discussion.

Intergenerational Church

It's not just about all-age worship but about all-age church!
But how can we be an all-age community building up faith in one another and building up faith that lasts?
Drawing on some of the findings of Sticky Faith (Dr Kara E Powell & Dr Chap Clark) and other resources (Combating Cappuccino Christianity developed by SEBA) this is an an opportunity to explore how.  Starting with 'Where are we now?', the workshop involves theological reflection, surveys, discussion and plenty of practical suggestions.

Supporting Children with Additional Needs - a Morning Workshop about Autism/Aspereger's

Families of and children with disabilities are the least 'reached' people group in the UK!
Feedback from the session last year:
Ivan Strydom - Andover Baptist Church
"It gave us real insight to how we could better include children and young people in our programmes and church life.  I highly recommend taking the time to be part of this training.  Great opportunity to ask the difficult questions about Autism and Asperger's and get tools to help."
If you need or would like support for those working with children who have Asperger's or a different challenge, please get in touch.

Engaging with Schools

There are so many more opportunities to work now with local schools in different ways. We are keen to support local churches who are seeking to build strategic partnerships with local schools. Some churches have found these things helpful:
  • A workshop to consider what a local school would like from their local church.
  • An Open the Book team visiting on a Sunday morning, leading an all-age worship or having a team lead some training.
  • Offering help with a Prayer Space which meets the needs of the SMSC curriculum.
  • Organising help with a specific pastoral need, e.g. running a bereavement workshop.

Whether it's a conversation about any of the above or help with how to begin a strategic partnership with your local school, please get in touch.

Useful Links   (Please click on the picture for the link)

Every Day Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids
Sticky Faith

Parents would give anything for their kids to have a deep, dynamic faith that 'sticks' long term.  Written from research and experience, Sticky Faith is geared to spark a movement that empowers adults to develop robust faith in kids of all ages.
The Heavenly Party: Live-Changing Celebrations
Michele Guiness

Drawing upon her rich, Jewish heritage, Michele integrates sacred and secular using pilgrim festivals and symbol, ritual and liturgy. She explains what true celebration is, with ideas and resources for celebration at home or in the wider community. Christians should have the best parties!
Godly Play

Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture.
It can be used in a variety of settings including churches, schools, hospitals and care homes for the elderly.
Open the book

Children love stories - especially Bible stories when they're interactive, engaging and fun.
Open the Book began in 1999 and since then thousands of school children have discovered Bible stories, during assembly and collective worship.
Prayer Spaces in Schools

Prayers Spaces in Schools enable children and young people, of all faiths and none, to their life questions, spirituality and faith in a safe, creative and interactive way.

Rev Jacky Storey
Regional Minister (Supporting churches in their work with children, young people and families)
Email:     j.storey@scba.org.uk 
Mobile:  07725 039942