Childrens Work

Quorn Churches Holiday Club runs from 11th to 15th August
10.00 – 12.00 each morning at Quorn Baptist Church

more info:  01509 621106

Following the decision of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to review the ISA/Vetting and Barring process which was due to be implemented in July 2010, we have been informed that that we should continue with the CRB process for those who under the House of Bishops’ Guidelines are required to have a disclosure.
 
The CRB national office has, however, issued some new forms, and these  will be available from Andrew Roberts at Church House  from 1 July . Andrew can also answer any questions you may have about the forms and about CRB.

A number of churches across the UK are asking questions about how to relate to local primary schools. The new Local Church, Local School website  is the result of collaboration by a number of organizations including BRF, The Stapleford Centre, The Girls’ Brigade, Viz a Viz and Scripture Union, and aims to provide practical and varied suggestions on how churches can engage with primary schools.

Visit the website for more at www.localchurchlocalschool.org.uk

On Tuesday 15th June as part of the National Pray for Schools events, we are holding a Leicester Pray for Schools event at the Samworth Academy from 7pm. This event is open to all people who want to pray for their local schools – staff, parents, Governors, schools workers, church people with a heart for schools…

John Fryer will be speaking and also we will have displays and resources from many local and national groups linked with schools.

Karen Hodges fromn Scripture Union is hosting the event and there will be worship and creative ways to pray for your local schools and for all those involved in schools across Leicester and Leicestershire. Janet Ingram (Diocesan R.E Advisor) will also be there.

Refreshments are provided and the evening is free.

For further details please contact Karen Hodges on 01455 842144 or email her at: KarenH@scriptureunion.org.uk

In February this year a decision was made to end Churches Together for Families. The remaining members of CTF agreed to transfer the remaining funds (approx £4000) to a special fund administered by Churches Together for England. Former members of CTF and any of their contacts are invited to apply for a small grant (up to £1000) to do a small piece of work at a local level that promotes engagement with families through ecumenical initiatives.

The administrators of the Fund hope this won’t be an onerous task to apply for. All they would like in return is a short report and evaluation on the work together with photographic material that can be circulated through CTE’s networks to encourage good practice with families.

Please do pass on the application form and guidelines to anyone in your networks who might benefit from this grant. Application forms are to be returned to Sue Burridge by 1st Sept 2010.

Just as a final note, if you wish to save any of the resources available on the CTF website now would be a good time to do so. The material will eventually be transferred to the CTE website but may not be so easy to find there! Visit http://www.churchesandfamilies.org/

If you have already completed the National Three Day Training Course for Godly Play and are an accredited Godly Play Practitioner, you might be interested in the following event on July 10th.

Enrichment Day Jul 10 Flyer

For further information, please contact:
Claire Wesley
Bishop’s Adviser for Children’s Ministry
0121 426 0432
claire@birmingham.anglican.org

The Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed the appointment of the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro, as Chair of The Children’s Society.  Dr Williams said “I am very pleased indeed to welcome the appointment of Bishop Tim Thornton as Chair of The Children’s Society. He will bring to this post many qualities – energy, empathy and intelligence – that The Children’s Society will need in its vital work of advocacy and care.”  For further information, see end of briefing or go to: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2821

Help pupils move confidently up to secondary school by providing It’s Your Move!, the fun-packed book of advice and stories. Culturally sensitive and introducing the concept of faith, it’s suitable for all children.
Hundreds of churches annually present copies of It’s Your Move! in assemblies and lessons to whole year groups, developing stronger partnerships between their church and the local community.
A free sample copy is available from joannas@scriptureunion.org.uk.
Catch the early-bird offer before 30 April of £11 per pack of 10, at your local bookshop or phone Scripture Union 01908 856006 or visit www.scriptureunion.org.uk/itsyourmove

The John Betjeman Young People’s Poetry Competition is open to children aged 11-14 years living in the British Isles. Entrants are invited to write a poem on the theme of place. Local churches could get their youngsters to write poems on the importance of the space/place of the church. The first prize of £1,000 is shared between the winning entrant and his or her school or church group. The competition deadline is 31st July. Full details on the competition and the prize-giving event at St Pancras International station on 5th October  can be found at the website www.betjemanpoetrycompetition.com

Children can enter on line at www.betjemanpoetrycompetition.com or they can download the entry form from the website. If anyone would like to request copies of the entry form they can email me at info@betjemanpoetrycompetition.com. We will accept one entry form per group with a signature verifying that the poems are the children’s own work.

Event Date: Tuesday 8th Dec 2009

Do join us at the Church of the Martyrs, Westcotes Drive, Leicester from 7.30pm Our opportunity to say thanks for all the work you are doing with children in our Diocese. Drinks and nibbles will be available and an opportunity to meet others and chat together about what we might do better together in 2010. Do email me if you intend to come…john.fryer@leccofe.org

John Fryer
Children’s Work Advisor
Diocese of Leicester