The Dalton McCaughey Library in collaboration with the Children and Family Ministry team is opening a new collection of children’s picture books on Friday 29 February.
The collection aims to provide an imaginative and narrative base to some of the big life issues for children and families. There are quality children’s books including biblical story re-tellings.
A practical workshop on using children’s picture books in ministry will be conducted by Sharon Hollis and Julie Perrin on the afternoon of the launch, from 2.30 to 4.00pm.
For more information contact Centre for Theology and Ministry, 9340 8815, info@ctm.uca.edu.au.
The Centre for Theology and Ministry and UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania will jointly host a Playgroup Conference ‘Stories of Childhood’ on Saturday 24 May 2008.
It will be a time to meet together with others who are part of playgroups and children’s ministry from churches all over Victoria. Conference speakers include Heather Barnes and Jackie Kerin.
Topics covered will include ‘Understanding Children’s Emotional Development’ and a storytelling workshop. There will also be a panel discussion looking at the topic of Pastoral Care of Parents in Playgroup Settings.
Registration forms will be sent out to congregations in February. More details available from Linda Harman linda.harman@victas.unitingcare.org.au, 9251 5288.
On Saturday, the St. David’s Uniting Church again hosted their annual ‘Search for an Angel’ event.
Search for an Angel is a fun event for children where they look for angels who provide clues to the gift of Christmas. The ‘treasure hunt’ ends with a live nativity of farm animals and baby Jesus.
A big thanks to all who helped make the day a success. And big congratulations to our two prize winners who get a free entry to the Rain, Hayne and Shine animal farm on the Mornington Peninsula.
This year’s winners are:
The Ferdinands family of Oakleigh &
John Berlangieri of Mt. Waverley.
You can check out a photostory of the day here (1MB)Â : Search for an angel 2007 (1M)
or for those with a fast connection, you can check out this larger version (7MB): Search for an angel, 2007
On Saturday December 15th in Oakleigh we will see the return of Search for an Angel.
This is a special event for younger children and their parents to help spread the good will of Christmas.
In Oakleigh mall (Eaton St.), and the path from there down Drummond St. to the Oakleigh Uniting Church, there will be angels waiting to be found by the children. Not only will our angels be spreading Christmas cheer, they will be giving out clues to the meaning of Christmas which can then be handed in at the church for some Christmas prizes.
One of the prizes of Christmas is waiting for all comers at the church. Our animal farm is a fun re-creation of the stable where Jesus was born. Christmas is a celebration of all the life and hope and love that Jesus brings us.
Prizes for children include an Advent showbag with lots of things to bring Christmas good will. Food, drinks and craft will also be available.
This event is a free gift to our community because we believe it is important to share freely the heart of Christmas.
If you have enquiries, please email us or call Rev. Arnie on (03) 9562 7559.
The November edition of the Children’s Ministry newsletter is now available from the Synod website. It includes ideas for Advent and Christmas, stories about what is happeing around the place in Children’s ministry, and events that are coming up.
The newsletter is available as a pdf download (2.26MB) here.
While around 4 million people have fled Iraq in recent times, Sweden is making headlines for being possibly the only country in Europe that could be described as welcoming to those displaced from Iraq.
In particular, Sweden is taking care of teenagers who are alone and desperate, but still make the difficult journey to find sanctuary.
Next week at St. Catherine’s in Caulfield South, there will be a Godly Play workshop for Religious Education teachers in all settings. Check out the link below to find out more details. Bookings essential.
Godly Play workshop (pdf)
St. Catherine’s, South Caulfield
St. Francis of Assissi has given a lasting legacy in many ways. For all those who are animal lovers, a blessing of the animals reminds us of their importance to humanity, and especially the delight of having a pet.
The Lara Uniting Church has continued the tradition of St. Francis with a special service of blessing.
On September 21st, many will be marking the day as International Day of Peace.
You are invited to join the worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire and day of peace and nonviolence. To find out what is happening near you or what you can do to promote peace, check out the Peace Day website. It includes resources, UN resolutions, music for peace, things for kids to do towards peace, and how to create a culture for peace.
Keep up to date with the latest happenings around the parish of Balkara.
Parish News – September 2007 (pdf)