Children & Families Ministry Update – February 2019

REGISTER NOW! Two Great February Events

Despite much talk in recent years around intergenerational ministry, a present and pressing challenge for churches and their leaders is to develop effective intergenerational practice that encourages discipleship across all ages.

Focused on those with strategic leadership responsibility in the life of a church – including ministers, pastors, ministry leaders and key volunteers –Friday will focus on Intergenerational Ministry Foundations and Saturday on Intergenerational Ministry Practicalities. Register for either day or, ideally, both!

See here for more information and registration.

Andrew McDonough, best known as the author and illustrator of the Lost Sheep books, is coming to Victoria! According to Andrew…“Jesus’ best command ever is ‘look at the birds’. It’s where to start if you’re following Jesus. Now, if you’re in ministry leadership, we recommend you pay attention to all of God’s creatures. If people drive you bonkers, if you’re exhausted from helping everyone, if your last sermon was described as ‘nice’ and if the phrase ‘fruitful ministry’ fills you with determination and despair then join the duck, an echidna, a caterpillar, a tree, Andrew McDonough and other new ministry friends in a workshop that will be fun and possibly of some value.”

See here for more information and registration, see below for venues.

 

Useful Year C (or anytime) Resources

 

Lent Resources

Nb. See previous Update for more ideas

 

An Eclectic Reading List

 

An Intergenerational Focus

 

Via The Well (Methodist Church UK)

 

 

 

Justice Corner

 

Great Opportunities for Families/Households

The choices we make about how we live often reflect what is going on in our inner lives. What does Jesus have to say in the Beatitudes about this? Come and have a fun weekend with other families as we explore the realms of inside out. More information and registration: 2019 Synod Family Camp

The Surrender19 Conference is a gathering of Christians from across Australia to share ideas, stories and hope on justice, discipleship and mission. It is for people from all walks of life – with workshops for first-timers, amazing keynote speakers and performing artists and, fantastic activities for all ages, and heaps more! More information and registration: Surrender 2019

Sacrededge is our response to a sometimes harsh and fearful world. It is an opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Rather than debate and argue about issues Q&A style, this unique festival listens to people from the edge…their stories, music, poetry. More information and registration: Sacrededge 2019

 

Key Events for 2019

Feb 21-28            Thriving Ministry Leadership*

Feb 22,23             Generate 2019 –Growing Intergenerational Ministry

Mar 8-11              Uniting Church Synod Family Camp

Mar 21-24            Surrender (NEW)

Apr 27                   Stories of Childhood Playgroup/Pre-school Ministry

May 3-5                Sacrededge (NEW)

Aug 3                     Generations

Aug 24                  Make it Messy!

* =Thriving Ministry Leadership event details…

Thu Feb 21          2pm       Geelong

Sun Feb 24          2.30pm Surrey Hills

Mon Feb 25        10am     Ballarat

Mon Feb 25         7pm      Bendigo

Tue Feb 26          10am     Shepparton

Tue Feb 26          3.30pm Wodonga

Wed Feb 27        7pm      Mitcham

Thu Feb 28          10am    Murrumbeena

 

 

Jun 11-14             Leaders to Go

Australia’s premier conference for leaders of leaders of ministry with children and their families! Please save the dates and keep an eye out for more info.

Featuring: Facilitated in-put, Workshops, Market place and expo, live-in community, individual retreat, creativity, small groups, worship and reflection, prayer and networking and more!
Venue: The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, NSW
Dates: 11-14 June 2019
Times: 2.30pm Tuesday – 1.30pm Friday
Details: leaderstogo.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaderstogoconference/

 

May 3-5                Second International Messy Church Conference (UK)

May 20-22           Intergenerate Conference (US)