Resources for Children, Young People and Families

MARCH 2021 - NEWS FROM JODIE

JODIE THORPE, our Children, Youth and Families Enabler, writes: "I hope and pray that this message finds you well. I suspect that you are all busy starting to make plans for transitioning into some in-person ministries with children, youth and families in the foreseeable future, be that outdoor or in smaller groups indoors?  I'd  love to find out what creative plans you all have for Easter next month!  So I propose to host a space at the end of this month for any who wish to join and share and pray for one another.  This will be on Wednesday 31st March 1.30pm-2.30pm. Email me for the link

Regional Minister Revd Mary Taylor is available to join us in April for initial explorations as to how we might use the new Baptist CMD programme as CYF specialists.  So please mark this in your diaries as there was a lot of positive interest about this.  Tuesday 20th April 1.30pm-2.30pm on Zoom - again, email me for the link.

I've also been made aware of some training that Youthscape are running exploring lessons being learned for Youth work as a result of the last 12 months.  Full details and booking instructions can be found here.

JODIE recommends:-

Videos filmed during an online leaders' day hosted by SCBA (Southern Counties Baptist Association). In them Rachel Gardner, Director of Youthscape and President of The Girls' Brigade, considers the
challenge of reaching, supporting, developing and empowering young people and young adults.
Follow this link to see the videos.

www.yfc.co.uk  Some great video resources for older children and young people.
 
https://kitchentable.org.uk/  I’d particularly recommend their ‘talking faith’ series.
 
www.scriptureunion.org.uk "With new ideas, updates on the 95 campaign and resources for leaving lockdown."

The latest Covid-19 guidance relating to Children’s, Youth and Families Ministry is available from Baptists Together - click here.

Below are some other useful websites, links, events, materials that might be appropriate for your ministries with children, youth and families:-

Tabletalk - Usually purchased in the format of cards to discuss around a table.  Tabletalk have currently got some great discussion questions available free on their website to help generate chat with friends and family.  Could also be used in a youth group setting.  (Something to keep your eye out for too - they are developing a new ‘wellbeing’ table talk game which sounds great.) http://www.table-talk.org/

1277 National Network of Church-based Toddler Groups - Have some good ideas for praying for and with Toddler Groups.  See their website and Facebook.  Also links to various resources ready for when you are able to get Toddler Groups back up and running.  https://1277.org.uk/

Toddler Time - A weekly story, craft and song time for Toddlers on YouTube from West Mersea Free Church.  Accessible from their website (https://merseafree.church/youth/toddlers/) and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvqUJSqo2zw)

Joanne, from Beauchief Baptist Church, Sheffield, has shared her really useful blog where she reviews various Christian apps and advises which ones are good.

‘Together at Home’ - family resource sheets around scripture with suggestions for activities, prayers, discussion etc:

Godly Play UK - 10 easy things to do to help us talk to each other … listen … be calm and relax …be quiet and still … and, perhaps, be silent.