Where has the year gone! this Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent and what an opportunity it brings for parishes to do things in there communities for everyone! I love this time of year and all the opportunities it brings, from carol singing around your community giving out mince pies as you go, to blessing your own neighborhood's as a congregation, to planning and doing carols services, crib services Christingles.
It is at this time of year the expectation of the world is Good News, and sharing the love of Jesus around.
In this mailing I hope you will find some things to help you do all of this, I have also included training courses for January spirituality of the Child course and Baptism Matters training in Evesham and Pershore Deanery to name a few. Please remember you can still borrow the resources we have, we will just need to coordinate meeting you to hand them over, we have a range of books, outdoor games, along with some creative prayer equipment, Godly Play boxes, puppets and story bags as well as the school experience resources , let Simon or I know if there is anything you need, we are here to support you all.
You are all in my prayers, I am here to help if you need anything so please feel free to get in touch if you would like to. Have a peaceful and joyful Christmas God Bless
Emma
The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Guide - Free download
Join in a journey of wonder through The Jesus Storybook Bible this advent as we trace the beautiful story of God’s great love for us–from the very beginnings of the universe, to the birth of the baby who would rescue the whole world. download it from HERE
British sign Language (BSL) Translations of Christmas carols
These videos are presented by professional teams and you can downloads them form HERE
The Adventure of Christmas Advent Calendar
from Good Book Company - easy to use devotional for family Christmas find out more HERE
The Impossible Promise
A resource from Bible Society is there Christmas resource to help the Church, community and family with Christmas - there are videos from Bob Hartman along with an instant nativity, Christmas children's booklet and animation. it does say this is for 6- 11 year old's, I do feel it is a bit wordy so would say its for 8 - 11's but up to you. you can find out more form HERE
At the Heart of Christmas
is the Church of England's theme for Advent and Christmas 2021, with reflections, services and printed materials on offer - do have a look HERE
Check out the Diocesan web site for more Christmas ideas and resources HERE
5 consecutive Monday evenings 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st January 2022 and 7th February 2022 7.45pm – 9.15pm, online
(only 1 ticket needed for all of the evenings)
This course is for anyone who is in contact with children (0-18 years),for example children’s work volunteers, parents, clergy, employed workers, school workers or those with an interest. Every child is born spiritual. If we will let them, they can teach us a lot through the way they see our spiritual world. Together, we can share in awe and wonder.
Over the five weeks of the course we will look at themes such as:
Looking at spirituality through the eyes of a child.
Working on our understanding of children and their spirituality (including spiritual ‘Styles’)
Considering how we nurture the spirit of a child to help the child grow.
How school, church and home can work together in this area – drawing on a recent report
Sharing ideas and practicalities from our own experiences with each other.
The course will be led by Emma Pettifer (Children’s Officer) & Rachel Kennedy ( Families Worker). Book via EVENTBRIGHT. If you have any queries, please contact Emma: epettifer@cofe-worcester.org.uk or telephone 01905 732823.
Saturday 15th January 2022 9.30am - 12.30pm
Emmanuel Church, Ecumenical Center Redditch
(parking at the Kingfisher shopping center)
This morning is a chance for those who are experienced Godly play leaders and those who have never even thought about Godly play to come together for an opportunity to experience a small Godly Play room.
We will split into experienced leaders and starting out leaders to share ideas and learn more about Godly play then come together again to share a story and worship together.
The morning will be led by Anne Batchelor (Mission Enabler) & Emma Pettifer (Children’s Officer) Book via Eventbright HERE. If you have any queries, please contact Emma: epettifer@cofe-worcester.org.uk or telephone 01905 732823.