From the Diocesan Children’s Office
The Revd Isobel Jackson
Hello from Waterford!
Over the past months we looked at and considered together “ Children in Church” for the next months I thought we could think a little about the church service and worship for all the family including the young ones.
LOOKING AT WORSHIP- WORSHIP FOR ALL THE FAMILY
To begin with-what is worship?
Worship is sometimes thought of as the music portion of a church service- people singing hymns and songs to God – in truth the entire service with all its elements together is worship.
Worship is at the heart of our relationship with God, both for us as individuals and as part of a community. In worship we focus our thoughts on God, listening to what he has to say to us from his word, through prayers and through the sacraments and the singing of songs. Of course as individual Christians we can do many of these things in private, but we also need to meet together in community for worship and be part of a corporate experience of God, young and old..er together!
BRAINARAMA !
The fun TABLE QUIZ - that will test your Bible and Church General Knowledge
When: 22ndOctober
Where: Kilkenny College
This quiz is for Sunday School/Clubs members across the Diocese- for children from 3rd-6th classes.
Full details of Brainarma have been sent out to all clergy to kindly pass on to Sunday school teachers. For anyone who would like a copy of the information sent -please contact me by e-mail or phone.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE:
“Building Blocks”
-in conjunction with the Sunday School Society for Ireland
This is a wonderful opportunity for all involved in children’s ministry in parishes and schools to be refreshed and equipped with new ideas.
The workshops will include a variety of speakers and topics aimed at different areas of ministry to children and there will be workshops to interest all.
Date: 25th November 2006
Venue: St Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra., Dublin 9
Early booking is recommended as the conference last year had over 300 attending and was fully booked. Further information and booking forms are available through my office or downloaded from www.buildingblocks.ie
RESOURCES:
There are many resources available for Sunday School and children’s ministry. Please feel free to contact me if you would like further information on these.
I look forward to meeting many of you over the next months in individual parishes and schools!
Isobel
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BOUGH YOUTH CLUB
Bough Youth Club Notes
Hello Everyone
WERE BACK Yes, stop the press, Bough Youth Club has begun its new year with a meeting in Bough Hall on Saturday 30th September.
As I sit and type these notes I am a little disheartened, I attended the Revd Philip Heak’s farewell service and lovely service with the theme been “Foundations”. Sadly the congregation was few in number and very noticable in the Cathderal. Philip’s service was very well planned and left us with cherished memories.
SEPTEMBER YOUTH ALIVE SERVICE:
Kiltegan was the venue and yours truly lead the service, It was a great night
celebrating the Bi Centenary Year of the St. Peter’s Church Kiltegan. The theme of the night was moving forward with our Church. This encouraging us to move forward from the Celebrations of the Year and look forward. Shane Tucker was the speaker and he spoke of the widly about looking back and looking forward with our church and community as well as personnally. Thanks to Shane Tucker for joining us on the night and for making the journey up from Cloughjordan. Shane is the Republic of Ireland Church of Ireland Youth Department Field Worker. We sang many songs on the night some maybe taught to many but it was a joyful occasion and we are supposed to be at our happiest when singing. Thanks to everyone who came to the service a great congregation, also thanks to the Bi Centenary Committee, Churchwardens, those who provided the cuppa and the readers.
BOUGH YOUTH CLUB:
As I have mentioned we have started back, but if you are interested in attending and are going to secondary school please do come along to any meeting. If you want give me a buzz on the phone. We have a letter in circulation about the year’s events and a Calendar of Events for the year if you wish to receive one please write to me with your address and I will send it on (Rectors take Note.) Details of the September Meeting next Month
I went away for a couple of days with the Company Section Boys Brigade lads from Littlewood B.B. We stayed in a lovely Bed and Breakfast just outside Killorglan on the Tralee side called Hillview Bed And Breakfast. Dorothy Stephens was the proprietor’s name and no nicer a lady could you meet in a long day’s walking. So if you are ever in that area, look her up and say Eric sent you. Thanks Dorothy.
Please fell free to contact me on anything 087 2776282 or 087 2522947 or ericgjdrdiver@yahoo.ie
Till next Month
Eric Driver
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GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY
TRAINING DAYS:
Autumn is fast approaching and that usually heralds the beginning of GFS branch meetings. Many of our branches open in September, usually following the Leaders’ Training Days and two of these were held recently.
On 8th September a number of leaders attended the Safeguarding Trust Training in St. Canice’s Library, Kilkenny. The session was facilitated by the Revd. Philip Heak. It is expected that all leaders and helpers working within the branches attend Safeguarding Trust training.
On Saturday 9th, leaders travelled to Dunleckney Branch for the annual Training Day. Diocesan President, Mavis Thompson welcomed all and along with Diocesan Secretary, Hilda Bailey, introduced the new Bible Syllabus. The Theme for ‘06-‘07 is “The Great Big God” and leaders are to use Block A, Session 1 – 5. As mentioned in last month’s notes the Syllabus has been completed revised and includes project based work which is to be carried out at the branch meeting over a number weeks rather than an examination at the end of the year. Marion and Lisa Smyth gave an excellent craft demonstration, Hilda Bailey showed leaders a number of new games for branch meetings and Ingrid Condell and Jane Wallace introduced the newly revised First Aid Badge. This Badge syllabus is now available from the office if your branch hasn’t got a copy.
BIBLE STUDY SYLLABUS
BIBLE SYLLABUS 2006-07 Block A Sessions 1-5
Theme: The Great Big God
HANDCRAFT SYLLABUS 2006-07
Junior Candidates 3-5 years: Make a book marker using any medium.
Candidates 5-7 years: Choose any picture, copy or mount it on card, colour and dot to dot stitch. No larger than A4
Junior Members 7-9 years: Design and make a greeting card for any occasion using any medium No larger than A4
Junior Members 9-11 years: Make a desk-tidy using recyclable material.
Members 11-13 years: Design and make a mobile phone cover/carrier.
Members 13-15 years: Design and make an attachable accessory for a mobile phone, pencil case, bag etc.
Senior Members 15-18 years: Suggest a theme and design a logo that may be suitable for World Council. (Ireland 2011)
Senior Members 18-21 years: Suggest a theme and design a logo that may be suitable for World Council (Ireland 2011)
Townsend Members: Make a table runner using any medium. Any length
N.B. Please do not use Toxic Glues when working with children
For further information about GFS contact:
GFS WEBSITE: www.gfs.ie or contact gfsi@eircom.net Central Office: 01-6603754
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