CHILDREN AND ANNUAL MEETINGS - from National Children's Adviser, Mary Hawes;

"At this time of year congregations are usually busy writing and gathering reports from activities of the past year and planning for the annual meeting. How are children involved in this important reflection and planning in your congregation? In our congregation we stay for a soup and sandwich lunch after worship and then move into the meeting. The children go into another room with their leaders, and bring their report back near the end of the meeting. One year we provided a sheet of mural paper and asked the kids to draw the things that they really liked about our church. Then we asked them to add any new things that they would like to see added, or hoped we might do and put a cloud shape around it. When we returned to the meeting and the children were telling what they had drawn, Matthew said he drew a man sitting on the toilet (which actually surprised me as I had not noticed it earlier). "And why did you draw that?" I asked hesitantly. "Because the men's bathroom smells and I don't like going in there," he replied. The women's washroom had been renovated two years earlier, but not the men's one. The men had not thought it a priority, but now they had a different perspective on it. It was done that year! Sometimes the children have made up a song to sing. There are many possibilities. Be creative and inclusive".

St Luke's Holiday Club

Mandy Wong talks about her experience helping out at St Luke's Holiday Club in Thurnby.

Holiday Club was so much fun. It was amazing to see how many kids there were and was really exiting to have a chance to teach them about Jesus in a fun way.

Every morning we would do aerobics and kids songs, which was a real work out and tiring, but I did miss it when the Holiday Club ended. I would be often humming kids songs through out the day too.

The kids were really good and were a joy to be around. They thoroughly enjoyed all the craft, teaching, sports, quizzes, jokes and songs.

It was also great to see so many of the kids from the Holiday Club at the Family Service the following Sunday. Some of the kids also showed interested in attending The Ark every Sunday.

The Holiday Club was a real success. Well Done to Ali and all the helpers that took part. Good job!

Mandy Wong

LightLive

LightLive is a new, FREE online resource for those working with children and young people. There are 10,000 free online activities – with 650 more added every 3 months. LightLive is a new website with a multitude of Bible-based activities and fresh ideas - designed by the Scripture Union to help you tailor material to the specific needs of your children and young people’s group(s) or your congregation.
Go to www.lightlive.org There are postcards and leaflets if you need them for a postal mailing or an event.

Hooray Day 27

A children’s event called Wastewatchers for children 5 to 9 years (school years 1 to 5 only) with games, craft, singing, DVDs and Bible stories at St Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, Oadby.

Saturday 19^th April, 10am – 3pm and Sunday 20^th April 10am-11.30pm. To start in Morning service then for games, DVD and teaching in the Barnabus Centre next door to the church.

Bring a packed lunch for Saturday (marked with child’s name). No nut based foods in pack-ups please. Drinks will be provided.

Register early to avoid disappointment. For a registration form contact Derek Bowering on 271 5765.

Peter's Place Easter Workshop

At St Peter's, Oadby, Jayne and Jan are preparing for a special Peter's Place Easter Workshop from 2-4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2008.

Contact Jayne (0116 271 2685) or Jan (0116 271 3462) for an afternoon of drama, singing, crafts, prayers and food.

The next Peter's Place is on Sunday 20 April from 4-5.30pm.