It's Christmas!
Wow! So much has happened since August when I last wrote the update. Once again it has been a term of doors opening and a privilege to see what God has had in store for Raise. Please read on! If you don't have much time just read the highlights below and come back with a cup of tea later when you have more time!
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR RAISE THIS TERM
- A huge thank you to those who continue to support me
- Prayer Spaces in Thomas Bullock Primary Academy, Shipdham and East Rudham with Weasenham.
- Walk through the Bible Training completed in September.
- Sunday Praise and Worship session at Attleborough Church
- Two schools having Walk through the Bible sessions and three booked in for 2017 already
- Kingdom Encounter Training and Sunday session for Life Church, Sheringham in November
- Brisley Primary School Christmas Prayer Space Day
- 8 Christmas Experiences for 8 schools
- What's coming up?
- Please pray for
- Can you help Raise?
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A huge thank you!
I continue to be blown away by the support for Raise by amazing people that are in our lives.
Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers.
Thank you to the amazing volunteers who have given up their time and energy to take part in one of the events. Whether it's from volunteering at a prayer space, a praise party, Christmas experience or a weekend away. Thank you so much!
For those that have already given financially to help Raise through one off gifts or regular giving - I am so grateful.
Whether you have given financially, volunteered or been there to encourage and cover me in prayer. You are amazing! Thank you!
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Prayer Spaces in Schools
This September term saw two new Prayer Spaces in two new schools. In September I was in Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham and then in October I was in two schools in one week (packing down and setting up in both schools in one day!) over in East Rudham and Weasenham.
Both Prayer Spaces went well and had some amazing volunteers helping make it all happen. The pupils and staff seemed to engage with it all really well.
One head teacher said something that stood out for them was
"The sense of calm and peace in the prayer space, even when full of children. In such a busy, high expectations environment it was lovely to see children being given the opportunity to be so relaxed and peaceful."
A teacher said : "The responses from the children - they really enjoyed the experience of visiting each of the prayer spaces and said they felt more relaxed and closer to God."
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Walk through the Bible Training and Events!
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Walk through the Bible
In September I went to Essex for training in teaching Old Testament Mini to School Years 5 and 6. I loved the training! By the end of October I had already booked in my first 5 RE interactive lessons in one school and in November I started with another school. It goes through the whole of the Old Testament in just under 5 hours over 5 lessons! I'm hoping that in 2017 I can get to the training for the New Testament so I can offer that to schools as well.
One pupil said "I loved that it included some acting because it made it really fun and easier to learn."
Another said "It was really good because instead of having to read the whole OT he made it easier to learn it."
One of the teachers said "Children really enjoyed the sessions and throughout the week could be seen practising the actions! They loved dressing up and helping out with the acting. Having the images for each action on the wall is a great visual reminder. "
I'm excited that I've already got two booked in to start in January with a possible third starting shortly after.
I've absolutely loved doing the sessions and I look forward to doing more next year.
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Praise and Worship session in Attleborough
In October I went over to Attleborough to lead their Sunday Kids Session on Praise and Worship. We had a great time praising God and hearing God.
Debs Carter the Kids Worker said one thing that stood out to her was "The beautiful and natural way that all the children engaged with the session and with the expectation of encountering and hearing from God. Watching the kids climb onto the throne with robe and crown made me cry."
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Kingdom Encounter Training and Sunday
In November it was a privilege to go over to Life Church, Sheringham and lead a training workshop with some of the kids team and then let them use the Encounter Room. On the Sunday we had the room available for the Under 5's, 5-11s, 11-18s and then the whole church after their meeting had finished.
It was so great to pray with young and old and give them opportunities to encounter Jesus.
Sadie, the kids worker said about the day "Great thing for all ages, and all could participate at their level and be open to hearing from God. Even for the very youngest, they were occupied and engaged in an activity whilst others could pray for them."
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CHRISTMAS PRAYER SPACE DAY
At the end of November I had a very early start and headed over to Brisley to set up a one day Christmas Prayer Space as part of their RE Day. It was my first Christmas themed prayer space in a school and it saw the almost 100 children come through during the day and spend some time out thinking about God, Christmas and others.
One station that was set up was "The Empty Chair" helping the children think about people who will be missing this Christmas. Such a special time.
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Christmas Experiences 2016
Gordon the Bible was back along with a team of around 50 amazing volunteers for 8 Christmas Experiences. We saw nearly 800 children - around 100 staff and all had the Christmas Experience. Gordon played his part in the greatest story EVER TOLD - We sang Christmas means I'm loved enough times to last a life time and we taught some schools a new song called "All the Angels Sing" - and it was lots of fun!
The children learnt that God never breaks His promise and that His greatest gift to us all was (and is) Jesus.
One teacher said : "Andy and his team created an engaging atmosphere. He gained the children's enthusiasm with a fun song and actions which flowed into a series of activities where the children loved collecting the stickers. "
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Two of the Christmas Experiences took place in the new home of Hope Community Church in Wymondham. It was a great privilege to be the first to use the new facilities.
It was great to use the space and bless two schools that I have worked with for a long time now.
The 8 schools were : Spooner Row, Banham, Firside Junior, Ashleigh, Barnham Broom, Carbrooke, Cringleford and Great Witchingham.
An Assistant headteacher wrote : "The children really enjoyed the sessions from start to finish. The sessions were interactive and pitched correctly. The children came out of the morning buzzing and with the true message of Christmas firmly embedded."
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Continuing Support
Raise has continued to be a project of North Breckland YFC this term. It has been so great to be part of the team there.
Some of you know that Dan Lawrence, a colleague and friend at NBYFC went to be with his Saviour in November. It was such a privilege to work with him and see the amazing things God gifted him in doing and enabled him to achieve. His last massive project was a film called "Looking to Eternity" which you can buy from the website.
His Thanksgiving Service was testimony to how he had impacted so many peoples lives - young and old and was a celebration of how great a faithful and funny servant of Jesus he was.
NBYFC continuned to help look after the details of Raise (like finance) so that I can focus on doing the work.
I continue to head up three primary school lunch clubs with them and try to be part of team life when I can.
I'm very appreciative of Ang and the team there.
Click on the logo on the right to go to their website. |
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Some things that are coming up in 2017
January
- Youth for Christ Conference.
- Walk through the Bible - Old Testament Mini in Talcolneston and Rudham Primary Schools (possibly Barnham Broom too)
- EPIC Praise Party
January 21st - Wymondham
- Kids Work at Kingdom Life Church
February
- Kids Work at Kingdom Life Church
- Prep for Easter and EPIC.
March
- Easter Experiences in 11 schools.
If you would like to volunteer please let me know!
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Please Pray For...
It would be fantastic for you to cover Raise with prayer over these coming months.
Here's some things you can pray for:
- Personal - Our families. Please continue to pray for my family as we have our first Christmas without my niece who died in the summer.
Continue to pray for my sister in law who's Chemo has finished and is undergoing Radiotherapy til mid January. Thankfully the cancer has been responding to treatment.
- Favour - That I continue to find favour in the schools I visit.
- Inspiration - That God inspires my writing time as I prepare new things.
- Finances - that I continue to find regular support on our faith adventure.
- Volunteers - That I am able to find the right volunteers for the different activities and events that I run, and that they would be blessed in their serving.
- Word - That word spreads and new opportunities come up for Raise
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Four things that you can do to help
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Pray
It is so important that this ministry is covered in prayer. Please pray for me! If you need ideas, see prayer points above. |
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Spread the Word
For the work of Raise to grow and impact more children's lives - people need to hear about us!
There are a number of ways you can do that :
- Like and Share on facebook - we can be found here: www.facebook.com/raisekidswork
- Encourage people to sign up to the newsletter
- Visit the website and tell others about the website www.raisekidswork.org.uk
- Follow us on Twitter. Tweet about us! @RaiseKidsWork
- Tell people about Raise!
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Volunteer
Raise is always looking for volunteers to join teams to help with the different activities it is involved with. If this something that you would like to be part of then we would love to hear from you.
Some of the activities include helping host a prayer space in a school...Being part of a holiday club... helping at a church residential.... being part of a one off event.
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Give
If you could support us financially that would be amazing! Whether it's with a one off gift or a regular gift - we would love to hear from you. |
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Contact
andy@raisekidswork.org.uk |
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Thank you
Thanks for taking the time to read the newsletter and thanks for your ongoing support whether it is financially, prayerfully or volunteering.
So great to have you on this adventure.
I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a great start to 2017.
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