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Good morning! Welcome to the new Autumn term edition of this mailing with a lot to cram into a small space!
Luke 8: 16-18
‘No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.
The church has been seen and revealed in a different way through the pandemic. It has been forced out of the building and challenged to meet, think and relate in a different way to people. Many churches have struggled to deal with the demands being made on them but have met the challenges in exciting and unexpected ways. Several churches have moved and remained outside when working with families. If this is something you are interested in why not sign up to the Wondering How Outside Church encourages families to worship together webinar?
Another outcome of the Pandemic is a group of children and families leaders meeting online. 'Evolve' now meets monthly, alternating between Monday afternoon and evenings. Our next meeting is 1.30-3pm on Monday 11 October where we will be discussing Christmas resources followed by Monday 15 November 7.30-9pm when we will be joined by Margaret Pritchard Houston who will be helping us think about our welcome to children and their families based on her fantastic book 'Beyond the Children's Corner.' If you haven't already received an invitation, get in contact with me and I'll add you to the invitation list.
PS: As ever, resources below are denoted in green if they have been offered previously-new resources are in white. Inevitably there will be some 'repeats' from previous years.
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How safe is your Children and Families Work?
1 Recruit all new helpers and leaders safely and ensure that they are fully checked by your Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). This includes having a written job role.
2. Make sure that existing leaders and helpers' safeguarding training is up to date(with PSO)
3 Follow the guidance in the Parish Safeguarding Handbook (August 2019) and Safer Environment and Activities
4 Make sure risk assessments are in place for whatever form of worship you use ie: indoor or outdoor or online. A simple risk assessment based on the national Church of England's guidelines. Further templates can be found here:Safer Working online (scroll down on website page to find section)
5 Make sure any activity you undertake is covered by your church's insurance policy (PCC)
6 Contact the Diocesan Safeguarding team if you are unsure, require help or support.
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For churches...
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Image: Author's own
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Mission and Ministry work closely with the Education department which supports church schools in the Diocese of Ely. There are resources for Collective Worship and Class Collective Worship which follow the Lectionary available to download.
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Are you thinking about starting worship for families outside? Or have you already started and want to share your experiences and pick up some tips from others who are also developing Outside Church for families?
This webinar will explore three different approaches, with time to ask questions and to share your own experiences.It will be delivered by Zoom and attendees are asked to bring a natural object with them to the session. Booking.
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Children and Young People are used to being vocal and involved in the decision making processes at their schools and colleges so why not in the church? This webinar will consider why is it so important that we listen to the voice of children and young people, what we might learn from school councils, and how this can impact the culture of the church. Two practitioners will share some of their experiences in trying to listen to and include children and young people - what they have tried, what has worked well in their context and what they are hoping to develop moving forward. Booking.
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Thousands of people across the UK support their local school by becoming a school governor. If you are interested in becoming a school governor, particularly in one of our Church of England schools, but also if you wish to find out more, then please come along to this session to learn about:
• different types of schools
• roles and responsibilities of governors
• useful skills
• critical friendship
• time commitment.
This session will be delivered via Zoom. Booking
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Safeguarding...
If you hold any position of responsibility in the church it is imperative that you have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance. Booking open online for all courses(including C3 Responding to Domestic Abuse) Safeguarding Courses. New dates are being added regularly so please keep checking if the course you want is full.
Are you aware of the dangers of different social media platforms? INEQE has a series of helpful advice articles to keep your child safe online. Read about Gacha Heat or Reaction Videos (TikTok) and the dangers they pose to children and young people.
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Debbie Hill
Development Officer for Children & Families Diocese of Ely
Working hours 9-5pm Monday to Thursday
debbie.hill@elydiocese.org 07837 699016
Pinterest boards: Debbie Hill
Facebook: Hope from Home
We pray to be a visible and generous people of God
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Our mailing address is:
Ely Diocesan Board of Finance
Ely Diocesan Office
Barton Road
Ely, Cambridge CB7 4DX
United Kingdom
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