Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August
Church of the Holy Spirit
247 Wallarah Road Gorokan 2263

Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 August
St Johns
Sturgeon St, Raymond Terrace

For further information contact Robyn Pullin - 02 4961 1557

Download the flyer (PDF 166kb)

When? 30th June 2012
Where? Toronto Uniting Church, 118 The Boulevard Toronto

Last year, the Uniting Church in Australia launched Godly Play in Australia. Caryl Menkhus-Creswell was one of the International Trainers who came to help birth the new movement at an event held at the ELM Centre.

The Hunter has invited her, along with Jeff Creswell to present at our Children’s Ministry Expo at Toronto Uniting Church on Saturday June 30 and lead an Afternoon for Pastoral Leaders at Broadmeadow Uniting Church.

This is an opportunity for children and adults to experience what Godly Play and Messy Church are about and how it may be used.

For more info and to register for the event, download the PDF flyer.

Playtimes are an awesome tool for reaching out into your local community. Playtime ministry at a time when raising a young family can be daunting, overwhelming and exhausting.

Finding a nurturing community to help cope with these challenges is a God-send, literally. Playtimes can be just that. At a season when parents are looking for answers, the church can help them find The Answer: Jesus.

Bring your playtime/playgroup team along to be encouraged, equipped and trained at this conference.

For more info and to register, see the Christian Playtime website.

Please pray for the leaders and children who will gather at Narrandera 17/18 March to share life and faith and celebrate KCO.

Around Australia there is a growing interest in Godly Play. In July 2012 the National Godly Play Conference is being held in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. Last year the first National Conference was booked out so be quick to register!

There are four events happening as part of this Conference:

• Godly Play Open Day and Expo
  Sat 7 July , 10am – 4pm
• Godly Play Conference Dinner
  Sat 7 July
• 3-Day Core Training Provided by International and Australian Godly Play Trainers
  8 – 10 July
  For children’s ministry workers, teachers, school and aged care chaplains and ministers to receive the internationally accredited Godly Play certificate
• Trained Godly Play Storytellers gathering
  8 – 9 July
  For accredited Godly Play storytellers to network, practice storytelling, receive and provide feedback, and share ideas and resources

Whether you’ve only heard a bit about Godly Play or have already trained in it there’s something at this Conference for you!

To download the brochure or register online, go to the Mission Resourcing SA website.

It is a shame that so many do not come to the conference, or if they come they do not bring their whole team! This is especially sad when I hear from so many in kids ministry just do not feel encouraged, or resourced.

Here are just a few of the top reasons for going to Kidsreach:

1. Networking opportunities – get to meet hundreds of others kids ministry workers.
2. Always lots of new, cool stuff to look at and examine in the resource centre.
3. Great speakers, presenters and workshop leaders. Have a look at the workshop subjects alone. There is something there for everyone.
4. It is only for one day – and such a good price.

Download the brochure

Freshwater Uniting Church

Saturday Nov 19 5 – 7pm Advent theme ‘Getting ready to come close to the mystery of Christmas’

Umima Uniting Church

A family fun Christmas event on Saturday December 17th at 5pm

Oatley Uniting Church

Sunday 4 Dec 4 – 6pm

Gordon Uniting Church

Saturday 3 Dec 4.30 – 6.30pm see their website for details

Cromer Uniting Church

Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December 2011 from 6:30 to 9pm. Come and explore the Christmas Story. Start the festive season out in tune with the Christmas Spirit. Play with light and make your own light masterpieces. Or just take some space to reconnect with the beaty and hope of Christmas.

Balmain Messy Church

Sunday 27th November, 4-6pm. Balmain Uniting Church @ The Circle Cafe, 344 Darling St, Balmain. Contact: Nicole 0438639258 or nfleming74@gmail.com

Over 300 people came and enjoyed the baby animals, the Knox Grammar bands, the story tent, the free gingerbread decorating, fruit and sausage sizzle, the Tooth Fairy who blew lots of bubbles, the singing, the face painting and the playdough.

This free event was organised by the Uniting Church in Australia, in particular the Berowra Uniting Church and St John’s Wahroonga, and was supported by the Baptist Union. To find out more contact Judyth Roberts.

Click to view the A Day in the Park 2011 photos

About this time of year schools are already planning for the next intake of kindergarten children, and most schools will have parent information evenings and one or more “orientation” days for the new kindergarten children to have a taste of “big school”. These may already be taking place, but will certainly be taking place soon after the holidays.

This is a most opportune time for SRE coordinators and advocates to speak to school principals or staff SRE coordinators about informing the new parents about SRE. Many new parents still refer to it as “Scripture” or do not know it even exists.

ICCOREIS has produced a Kinder Orientation Pack which could be used in a number of different ways. 

• There is a brochure which can be customized with information about your school to be given out to parents. 
• There is a PowerPoint which could be used at a parent information session.
• There are sample letters to be given to parents and to the classroom teacher.

These resources can be downloaded from the links below.  Read the Orientation Pack Overview first as it outlines what is contained in the pack and how it can best be used.   

These resources are editable so they can be customised for your particular school and with the appropriate local details. If you would liek any more information please feel free to contact Emma Parr (02 8267 4290; emmap@nsw.uca.org.au )

SRE Kindergarten Orientation Pack Overview - Advice on how to use the resources below

SRE Orientation – Powerpoint Presentation - a slide show for use on computer or data projector

Sample letter for Class Teacher - template for a letter from the SRE teacher to the classroom teacher.

Sample Letter for Parents – template for a letter from the SRE teacher to the parents/carers of children in their class.

SRE and your Child - a tri-panel brochure for parents outlining what available at your school

Download

Download the A Day in the Park Poster

When?

Thursday October 27th, 10am-1pm

Where?

Wahroonga Park, next to Wahroonga Station on Coonanbarra Road

Why?

Celebrate Children’s Week 2011

Who?

Children and families

To find out more ring 0409 154 625

Or email judythr@nsw.uca.org.au

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