This looks a really amazing piece of work - where do we get the details of how Jason used it? (not buying Youthwork enough, me) I think the idea of identity (in all the RE syllabuses of course) is a great one - working with this concept, faith becomes relevant to everyone, and 11-16s are spending their daily time thinking and acting out their answers to ‘who am I?’ questions. Jesus asked: ‘who do other people say that I am?’
In the run up to half term we ran a prayer room in one of the high schools I regularly work in in Leeds. We ran lessons for RE looking at prayer and spirituality and I was constantly overwelmed by the depth pupils were willing to share in front of a class of peers. Both staff and students commented on how much pupils had to deal with, having read their shared prayers. Their desire, a desperation even, for someone to be listening. I used the resources I found on schoolswork.co.uk with those in the 24-7 pack, which made the bringing together of activites much easier. God was in it all otherwise it just wouldn’t have happened, and I look forward to hearing the stories of answered prayer as I return to school this term. If you’re thinking of running a room, push some doors, talk to some people, visit a running prayer room in school, these guys at schoolswork and 24-7 are great support and there might even be someone doing the same local to you too!
What a great poem - James has summed up the feeling i know so well as somebody who has spent years doing Christian assemblies in both primary and secondary school…
“Well Done James”
Please don’t let your ink become dry as i am sure there are many more great odes in you that need to be put onto paper.
Rev Richard Pidgley
Discovery Church - Swindon
i work in a primary school as a TA, often there is conflict.
so my comment would be one aimed at children taking responsibility for their own actions-because it’s always someone elses fault.
“what could you do different towards someone that might prevent a falling out?”
“what good, kind or nice thing have you done today that has helped someone else?”
I never got a valentines card when I went to school. It didn’t bother me. I say its just harmless fun.
great encouragement in christian schools work. just shows how effective we can be without realising it !!!!
Sounds great. Nice one!
Amy your short course on assemblies was brilliant! My fav was the Russian doll assembly, its such a good idea
Thanks for letting us know Becky, sounds like a significant week for the school and makes all the prep you put in worthwhile! Look forward to hearing what happens from here!
I used this brilliant resource last year in the end of term services for several different year groups. I was able to use all of the resources (slightly adapted) and they provided a powerful and engaging framework for sharing the message of Easter. Thank you so much for producing this resource and the excellent value it represents. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone else.
How to blog
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Happy blogging!
Things Happening Under the Surface
What an honour it is for those of us who get to visit schools to take part in assemblies, RE lessons and the like, who knows what things are happening in the lives of the young people we meet? Who knows how God might use these moments to encourage, help and inspire young lives? Maybe you get tired of doing the work and seeing little visible results, maybe you need some encouragement? Keep going! The secret struggles and hidden trauma that lies beneath the surface of young lives in classrooms and assembly halls throughout the land needs to be addressed by Christ’s followers with messages of hope and love, whether we know that’s what’s taking place or not.
Education Sunday
Did you know Education Sunday is this coming weekend? For information on what it is, who it is promoted by and what you can do to recognise it, click this link. There are a whole host of resources, including prayer station ideas, assembly plans, sermon notes and presentations to download. The theme this year is ‘called to serve’.
Education Sunday is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone involved in the world of education.
iWhat?
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons at We Blog Cartoons.
24-7 Prayer-in YOUR school
So it’s Thursday morning and once again I unlock the prayer room at Cathedral school Wakefield bleary-eyed. I have a tidy up, mop up sand and water that has spilt and restick the post-it notes on the map that have fallen off. As I do so I read some of the heartfelt and honest prayers that students have posted…
Children’s and Family Ministry Conference 2010
Literally just back home from the Children’s Ministry “Hand in Hand” Conference in Eastbourne. We had a really brilliant weekend, and loads of fun on the schoolswork.co.uk stand. As well as meeting lots of wonderful children’s workers excited about the potential of approaching their local schools, we re-connected with old friends and embarrassed ourselves getting lots of card tricks wrong (which, by the way, is a great way to get discussions going!!). I did a seminar on assemblies with impact, which began perfectly with a computer meltdown….on the third macbook we finally got things to work….just like an authentic assembly then! If you’re visiting the site after meeting us this weekend, really great to connect with you, and do keep in touch. Now….for some sleep!
Easter Cracked
Easter possibly the most significant event in History? Over the last 15 years I’ve been involved in a local church initiative where primary school pupils come into the church for a presentation that has been incredibly well received by both pupils and staff. Schools are into LOTC (Learning Outside The Classroom) and here is one example. Todate around 30 other locations around the country have started something similar from Altrincham to Woodley and Gravesend to Glasgow and this remains the most significant thing I’ve been involved with in Scripture Union. If you think this might be of use for your church and local school(s) then do check out these websites and feel free to contact us for more information.
Over the years we have had many visitors come along to observe this and many have then go on to do something similar in their area. Also, I’m sure other areas would also welcome visitors. We`set aside a week here and it is is 8-12 March and we run two sessions each day.
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/letscelebrate
http://www.sloughbaptistchurch.org.uk/schoolsweek
Best wishes
Wayne Dixon
National Storytelling Week Appeal - Parables needed
The 10th Annual National Storytelling Week is nearly upon us, and is worth bearing in mind…
30th January – 6th February 2010
A decade in celebration of storytelling! Once a upon a time an idea was proposed for a week to highlight the art of storytelling - not just for the young but for all ages who share the creations of thought and the creativity of imagination.
Leaders of tomorrow? Leaders of Today!
When reaching, teaching, training and building relations with young people, we often see them as a generation of leaders for tomorrow. This is obviously right, yet I think we may sometimes lean with all of our perspective slanting towards tomorrow at the cost of today; we shouldn’t under-estimate young people in terms of their leadership now, in the present. I think there is much to be learnt from a young dreamer, unbound and unrestricted by the cynicism that tends to creep in over time….
Love your local school
Love your local school is an event happening in Reading on Thursday 4 March. See below for more information. It’s hoped to be repeated in other locations in the future.
http://www.baptist.org.uk/training_events/downloads/love-your-localschool.pdf
Best wishes
Wayne Dixon
Scripture Union holidays - Developing young leaders plus
Scripture Union Holidays 2010 - we have many opportunities this year for developing young leaders and 3 specific events that some of your young people in church / school might be interested in? Have a look at the links below for more information on Charnwood, Training in Action & Geared for Growth.
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/SU_Core/Holidays/Regional/GearedforGrowth/78897.id
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/SU_Core/Holidays/HolidaysFolder/TrainingInAction/4463.id
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/SU_Core/Holidays/HolidaysFolder/Charnwood/104558.id
There are numerous other events for 8-19 year olds all over the place at Easter, and summer and the new year including two specific events for those just afer their GCSE’s or A levels at the beginning of July. Canal Turn@16+ and Canal Turn@ 18+ in association with UCCF.
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/SU_Core/Holidays/HolidaysFolder/CanalTurn16/4453.id
http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/SU_Core/Holidays/HolidaysFolder/CanalTurn18/63547.id
see http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/holidays for more of what is available
for more information. Happy new year (and DECADE!)
Wayne Dixon
