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As I talk to different people in the course of my work, I'm aware that some people are just beginning their journey with ministry to children & families, whilst others have been faithfully offering family friendly activities for a number of years. As times change and people look for new ways to reach out effectively to families in their communities, I'm often asked if I can suggest people and places where people can talk things through and derive inspiration. Long may this continue!
At Ely Diocese we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to meet together and to discuss good practice. We already have a group called Evolve, which meets monthly on alternate Monday afternoons and evenings and looks at different topics as well as sharing resources for different church festivals. The next Evolve meeting is Monday 23 January 1.30-3pm. Do let me know if you'd like to attend and I'll share the Zoom link with you.
I am delighted to say that starting in early February we are launching the first of three new Forum groups looking at Godly Play, Working with Under 5s and Intergenerational Ministry. A forum is traditionally a meeting place where people can exchange views. Each forum is facilitated by two experienced practitioners who are passionate about their topic. In future we hope to offer other forums on a variety of ministry-related subjects. Further information about the forums is here: forums and you can contact the forum leaders to get a link to the first Zoom sessions. You can join as many forums as you would like to!
Finally I wanted to let you know that this will be the last mailing you will receive from me. I am leaving my role shortly as my husband (a vicar) and I are moving away from the Diocese as he retires. I have been in role for eight years and have found it varied, fulfilling and have been amazed by the commitment and ingenuity of those working with children and families in parish ministry. Advertising for a new Development Officer for Children & Families will be happening very soon.
Peter Leech, the Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry, has asked me to include the following:
“Debbie’s passion and desire to see children and families experience Jesus’ love and grow as followers of Christ has been infectious. Many people have been impacted directly or indirectly by Debbie’s work. As a diocese, we have benefited from her vast experience, her skills in many different areas and her attention to detail. She will be missed. But as we give thanks to God for her ministry we also pray for Debbie and Chris as they step into this next chapter.”
I'd like to leave you with a verse that God directed me to when I was seeking how I might deliver the role. It speaks more about how we are to be rather than what we are to do. I hope you find it inspirational today.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Information from recent mailings highlighted in yellow
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For Homes...
Podcast with advice to parents of children who have had a challenging life experience Parenting for Faith BRF
Intergenerational Prayer Cards from the Methodist Publishing £4.99 Ideas of ways to pray creatively at home
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Godly Play Training Day 6-8 June 2023
Cost £325 in Saffron Waldon
This three day training event is led by Jeanny Wang and Andrea Harrison. The course is a mixture of trainer-led sessions and opportunities for coached participant storytelling and will look at different types of Godly Play presentations each day to include sacred stories, parables and liturgical action/church practice. More information and booking on the flyer.
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Safeguarding...
Did you know that if you hold any position of responsibility in the church it is imperative that you have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance. You can now complete most safeguarding courses online, including Responding to Domestic Abuse.
Cambridge and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership (excerpt of latest newsletter)
Current child protection thresholds and pathways were originally designed to consider risks within the home and family setting; however, increasingly professionals are aware that children and young people spending time outside of the home can be subject to risk and harm. We refer to this as ‘extra familial harm’. There is national recognition that this type of harm is not adequately addressed through traditional child protection frameworks.
Managing extra familial harm through contextual safeguarding is not a new concept and has been successfully implemented in many partnerships across the country. Locally, we have been keen to further develop processes to create a contextual safeguarding system that supports both the individual (tier one) risk and those areas surrounding the individual, such as places, networks, and peers (tier two).
To support practitioners in gaining an understanding of what contextual safeguarding is and how it applies to practice we have produced a contextual safeguarding SWAY
Is a child you know accessing Omegle? it is a free anonymous chatroom where people are randomly paired, with little moderation and no available function to report inappropriate behaviour. Omegle chats pop up on Instagram and TikTok, thus widening its appeal to young users.
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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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