Stories of Childhood – Playgroup/Pre-school Ministry Training Day Saturday April 27 Parkville
The annual Stories of Childhood Playgroup/Pre-school Training Day, taking place in Parkville on Saturday April 27, is a great opportunity for any church engaged in ministry with young families. For ministers, pastors, leaders and team members involved in activities such as Playgroup, pre-school music programs and Sunday morning activities, Stories of Childhood will assist you andyour church in connecting more deeply with the children and their carers you are called to serve. The excellent electives on offer across the day include…
More information and Registration: Stories of Childhood 2019 (flyer available here)
Lost Sheep Easter Resources
Nb. For many churches a Lost Sheep Church Membership will be the most cost-effective option. Membership provides complete access to 30+ Lost Sheep stories (including ppt downloads), teaching resources and printable activity sheets. For churches of up to 100 people, initial membership is only $100 (and then just $50 per year thereafter)!
More Lent & Easter Resources
Nb. See previous Update for more ideas such as Lent Event and 2019 Lenten Resource.
Via CRCNA
Building Emotional Health and Wellbeing: A Pastoral Handbook for Ministry with Children and their Families (2nd edition)
This 2nd Edition expands on the original with additional chapters covering Autism, Deafness, Schizophrenia and Transgender. Drawing on the extensive experience of Dr. Vivienne Mountain, this practical resource combines insights from both theology and psychology in a very readable form. Topics succinctly covered now include Autism, Disability, Deafness, Transgender, Schizophrenia, Grief and Loss, Care for the Carer, The Importance of Children, Understanding Mental Health Issues, Understanding Healthy Development, Trauma and Transition Issues for Children and The Church Responding to Community Disaster
Building Emotional Health and Wellbeing: A Pastoral Handbook for Ministry with Children and their Families (2nd edition) is available as a FREE pdf download, Kindle (approx.$5) or Book (approx. $10).
Via Fuller
A Miscellany to Explore
Godly Play Core Training March 14, 15, 16 Parkville
This is an excellent three-day course in which participants are immersed in Godly Play practice. In this time two accredited trainers will work with the group to provide information and experience of the three genres of stories in Godly Play, the role of the storyteller, the role of the doorperson, the Godly Play space, materials, response time, spirituality of the child, forming and maintaining a story circle community that is safe, the history and practice of Godly Play and much more. Limited to 12 participants, e-mail jeacland@gmail.com or call 9349 1182 to register.
More information: Godly Play Core Training
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
SU has two new opportunities for fathers to spend some quality one-on-one time with their son or daughter. Invest in your relationship while exploring the outdoors and engaging in a range of fun activities. Includes time to explore parenting from a Christian perspective. Places are limited, click on the camp and register today!
| Father/Daughter Camp | 15 – 17 Mar 2019 |
| Father/Son Camp | 29 – 31 Mar 2019 |
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
Highlighted Opportunities
Aug 3 Generations
Aug 24 Make it Messy!
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/
Aug 1-3 IAYSM Australasian Conference (Auckland)
The Australasian Regional conference of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) gathers people involved in children’s, youth and emerging/young adult ministry as teachers, lecturers, researchers or thoughtful practitioners across Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The conference provides an opportunity to engage with the latest scholarship and research related to Christian ministry among young people as well as a forum for building stronger networks.
Messy Church Coordinator (2 days/week) North Ringwood
School Chaplain Penleigh and Essendon Grammar
