Like 1:5-6 (Passion Translation)
During the reign of King Herod the Great of Judea,there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah who served in the temple as part of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from a family of priests, and was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, living virtuously and following the commandments of the Lord blamelessly.
If you have been around church for a while, you will be so familiar with the Christmas story. Luke's gospel starts with an older couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who have been living a virtuous life with scrupulous attention to following God's commandments. They are living their ordinary lives with no idea of what was about to happen. They are reliable, faithful people who fulfill their roles in the temple in spite of the fact that they have experienced the huge disappointment of not being able to have children. Yet God uses and blesses this faithful couple to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy and the scriptures. 
We might think that the role we play in Church is very routine and even tedious at times, but this story tells us that God uses ordinary, faithful people to bring about his plans. So as we approach the Christmas season with all its demands and challenges, lets focus on fulfilling the part God has called us to play, however mundane it may seem. This Christmas he may be calling back people who have left the church or maybe those who have never really understood what it means to have a living faith. Let's welcome whoever God is calling and remain focused and obedient to what God is asking us to be and do. God is always transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary-and we can work alongside him to help fulfill his plans for our community.


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.
Mike Kelly has joined Ely Diocese as the Development Officer for Young People & their Families. He says: I’m really excited to be joining Ely Diocese to support and develop ministry with young people & their families. My heart is to see the local church and youth leaders equipped and resourced so that they can find ways for young people to encounter Jesus and grow as disciples. I’m especially passionate about well being and youth mental health in relation to discipleship. You can subscribe to the Youth Mailing and our Facebook page Hope from Home for Children, Young People & Families to hear more from him (and me!) or contact him mike.kelly@elydiocese.org
Are you working with children in a Church of England Church in Ely Diocese? Have you thought about Children's Authorised Lay Ministry Training? Starting on Wednesday 19 January 2022 7-9pm on Zoom, you can develop and grow your ministry with others from across the Diocese. Here's what one Children's ALM from this years' course said:
It is brilliant to have the time and space to learn, grow and reflect upon your ministry to children. You will learn so much from some outstanding practitioners with experience in many different areas. You will delve into the theory behind nurturing children’s spirituality but you will also be given a treasure trove of practical tips to dip into! The supportive network of other trainees also provides the perfect environment for you to grow and develop your own practice. In essence, the Children and Families' ALM course is simply marvellous!


The training is delivered by me, Debbie Hill, along with a number of practitioners delivering sessions related to their specialist areas of work. Interested? Visit the website to find out more and then get in touch with me in order to register.
For churches...
Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash
The Church of England's new Advent & Christmas campaign for 2021 is 'At the heart of Christmas.' 
Resources include cards for families, all-age activities and bookmarks that can be given away during Advent and Christmas. 
Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash
Advent General Resources
Advent Pinterest Debbie
Advent family ideas Pinterest Mina Munns
Collection of ideas CPAS(created for lockdown but lots of ideas to use/adapt)
Prepare for Jesus Diddy Disciples
Advent resources The Reflectionary
Advent bags Flame
Advent and Narnia Heidi Haverkamp Devotions but also resources for an Advent Night for families
Messy Church Pinterest
25 ideas Flame
10 ideas Sunhat and Wellie boots
Big Colour in Christmas poster CPO
Big Story of Christmas Poster CPO
Advent and Christmas Godventure Ideas to buy and download

Advent Calendars & Wreaths
Family Advent calendar Let their Light Shine
Living Advent Calendar Gotherington (2020)
Flexagon Advent Calendar Reflectionary
Reverse Advent calendar BBC article (think about liaising with foodbank and timing before Advent to give away)
Customise your own advent calendar MyAdvent
Advent wreath template Inclusive Church

Patterns to make Posadas, Angels and Jesse trees
Jesse tree crochet Ravelry
Knitting patterns-Angels 1
Knitting pattern angels 2
Crochet angel 1
Crochet angel 2-67 designs Pinterest
Knitting patterns for Posada Let their Light Shine
Image by scott payne from Pixabay 
Christingles...lots of different ways
Christingle Debbie Pinterest
Christingle The Children's Society (including shop)
The First Christingle Spiritual Child Network
Christingle Animation Go Chatter
Christingle Animation (lego) 2

Christingle talk from Reflectionary
Christingle Assembly Flame
Safe Christingle Under 5s Sun Hat and Wellieboots
Edible Christingle Sunhat and Wellieboots
Christingle Cube template  Jonathan Andrews
Christingle Trail Muddy Church
Christingle reimagined Hazelnut Community Farm
Chocolate orange Christingle Real chocolate company (£72 for case of 24)
Christingle talk with giant sized visual aid BRF
Christingle Treasure Hunt Reflectionary
Christingle Video Big Kids Boro
Free use image from Pixabay 
General Christmas Resources
Make your own paper nativity scene Made by Joel
Christmas Crafts & Resources Pinterest
Under 5s Christmas Crafts Pinterest
Lots of Christmas ideas Flame Creative

U5 Christmas Crafts Let their Light Shine 
Nativity Thaumatrope Sunhat & Wellie Boots 
Nativity Story stick puppet templates Sunhat & Wellie Boots


Christmas Trails and Outside Resources
Outdoor Trail with 12 interactive stations Sunhat & Wellie Boots
Christmas Wonder trail to buy Muddy Church 
Journey of the Kings-Epiphany Muddy Church 
Outdoor Church Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education
Nativity trails(2 versions with and without QR codes) Together At Home


Christmas films
Lego Nativity
U5s VT Happyland Nativity 
Here's here! The Jesus Storybook bible
Narrated Christmas Story With Playmobil 
Collection of VTS on Pinterest Debbie Hill Christmas Films
Not just a Baby Go Chatter to buy £5


Christmas Plays
The Cross and Crib BRF
St Marys Party Bag Crib service 2014 St Marys 
No Rehearsal Nativity Mary Hawes
The Christmas Participation Nativity Paul Osborne
An action packed nativity(very short) Carole Marsden

Impossible Promise Instant Nativity 2021 Bible Society
The Gingerbread Man's Adventure  Rachel Gotobed
It Begins in Bethlehem  2020 Bible Society
Wrapping Paper Go Chatter
The Christmas Promise (BSL) Go Chatter to buy £6.50


Christmas Giveaway books

God Became Like Me? Scripture Union
Love Came Down and Other Stories 10 of those
Photo by Lewis Keegan on Unsplash
For Schools...
Faith at Home Collective Worship Videos Church of England (Harvest released 28 September)
Collective Worship-Angels Blackburn Diocese-6 simple assembly outlines for Collective Worship
Collective Worship-Paintings Blackburn Diocese-7-8 class assemblies based on specific paintings(provided with a link)
Legend of Poinsettia Spiritual Child Network
Christmas stories for RE curriculum Rhema Films
The Star of Bethlehem assemblies.org.uk
The First Christmas Assembly KS1 BBC teach (with 3 minute VT)
Christingle Assembly Flame

A traditional Christmas? Assemblies website
Christmas Hope Assemblies website
Twelve hours of Christmas Song BRF 
A Peruvian Christmas BRF
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. 
Photo by David Beale on Unsplash
For Homes...
Comfort In the Darkness by Rachel Turner Exploring God's promises for children who struggle with nightmares or terrors, fearful of the dark or insomnia.
Growing Gratitude this Advent Parenting for Faith
Unwinding wrong views of Go
d at Christmas Parenting for faith
Explain what advent is all about to your children Use a devotional to explore Advent
Thinking about making
home made food gifts this Christmas? Why not try out some of these fun ideas 

Three activity sheets to explore Christmas outside as a Family Blackburn Board of Education
Family Advent Box to buy Bible Society
Christmas Journeys  £1 Scottish Bible Society
The Lectio for Families app is now available to download. Designed for families with children aged 7-11, it helps generate conversation and prayer based on bible reading.
The Christmas Story to Share BRF 
For Messy Churches ...
Messy Discipleship a new book by Lucy Moore Price £8.99 
BRF Deepening Discipleship Report A Voyage of Discovery This is a helpful resource for any church thinking about how it reconnects with its children and families-do explore all the accompanying resources too. 

Get Messy! 4 months of resources  
Messy Masterclasses-variety of topics and times 
Messy Church International Conference in person 20-22 May 2022
Extreme Crafts Book updated & expanded 
Two pieces of news:
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell on Facebook Lives on Wednesday 15 December 9am and 8pm-you'll need to follow the Messy Church Facebook page to join
Aike Kennett-Brown joins the leadership team for Messy Church to replace Lucy Moore who is now the new Head of the Growing Faith Foundation. Congratulations to both Aike and Lucy! 
For Professional Development...
Online course Certificate in Parenting Cliff College  Starts Jan 2022
Unconscious Bias-Local children's experiences collated in a PowerPoint 
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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.
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 Squid Games  Gacha Heat or Reaction Videos (TikTok) and  Deepfake technology and the dangers they pose to children and young people.


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

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1597922456998412/?ref=bookmarks
Pinterest
Website
Email
Copyright © 2020 Ely Diocesan Board of Finance, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in

Our mailing address is:
Ely Diocesan Board of Finance
Ely Diocesan Office
Barton Road
Ely, Cambridge CB7 4DX 
United Kingdom
Add us to your address book
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
If you experience difficulty in unsubscribing, please email me directly for support
view this email in your browser






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Ely Diocesan Board of Finance · Ely Diocesan Office · Bishop Woodford House · Ely, Cambridge CB7 4DX · United Kingdom

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp