Here’s a list of links you may find helpful:

Fridge Faith for Families – Lent Calendar that will engage the whole family

Children’s & Families Ministry - Lent & Easter Resources
Synod of Victoria & Tasmania

World Vision Lenten Resources – FREE Downloadable Bible Study and Youth Activity for Lent!

Mission Resourcing Network – A page full of resources for Lent & Easter
UCA Synod of SA

Lent Event – offers a great resource for use in congregations throughout Lent.

Christian Aid has a `Count your Blessings’ calendar along with their children’s activities

CAFOD offer ideas for reflection on the Gospel reading with children, along with intercessions and suggestions for preparing the worship space

Step 01

Give each child a noodle box and some Christmas stickers and explain that we are going to be sharing an edible Christmas story.

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Step 02

Give each child a copy of the main points and begin with the rocky road.  Ask the children to think about the rocky road in the Christmas story… usually they will identify the road to Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph took, but you could also remind them that the shepherds and wise men also took a rocky road into Bethlehem.  Ask them if there are rocky roads in their lives, things that can be hard to get through, and while they are thinking about this do step 3.

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Step 03

Into melted chocolate and copha, ask the children to add some large marshmallows and talk about the big rocks that sometimes can block our way, then add small marshmallows and say sometimes it is the smaller things, or gravel that cause us to slip, and then add some ripe raspberries and say sometimes it is the hard things that hurt us.  I usually ask if they have ever had a stone in their shoe and how even a small hard thing can cause so much discomfort and make it hard to keep walking.   By this time the rocky road is mixed but make sure everyone has a stir of it. Then it can go into a freezer for about 10 – 15 minutes to set while the rest of the story is told.

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Step 04

The next point is angels, so ask the children how many angels there are in the Christmas story.  Of course there are countless angels who appeared to the shepherds, but there are several other key points where angels deliver news to people.  Ask the children what’s the first thing angels say to people?  It is “Don’t be afraid!” so that tells us angels can be quite scary.  I usually make the point that angels are not fairies and not human, but are God’s messengers.  While this discussion is going on I give out a shortbread in the shape of an angel to each child and invite them to decorate it. The easiest way is to use the coloured icing in little tubes from the supermarket, but small bowls of icing and pop sticks can also work.  Silver and gold cachous, and sprinkles can be provided.  Children will often take some time to decorate a biscuit – it is like edible art, so don’t rush and use the time to talk about angels.  When the biscuit is finished, it can be placed in the noodle box.

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Step 05

The next point is a star, and all children know the star in the Christmas story.  I again ask the group to think about the star and the wisemen and ask exploratory questions like who follows stars today?  While talking each child is given a star shaped biscuit (I usually use gingerbread for this one) and again can decorate it, or if time is short you can give them stars that already have rainbow choc chips or cachous on top.  Then the finished biscuit is placed in the noodle box.

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Step 06

The last point is the baby in a manger.  I ask the children what a manger is, and what is kept in it.  I give each child a small patty pan, explaining this can be the manger.  Then each child is given a few mini shredded wheats to crush and make straw for the manger.  Then I ask about putting a little baby on straw and what would be needed to keep it warm and protected.  Each child is given a strip of fruit roll up for a baby blanket and a jelly baby and shown how to wrap up the baby and place it in the manger. During this process we talk about how it must have been for Mary and Joseph away from home, in a stable with a new baby.  This is then placed in the noodle box.

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Step 07

By now the rocky road should be ready, so get that, cut it into squares which are then placed in a foil patty pan or square of alfoil and also placed in the noodle box.  Each child can then roll up the story points and put that in the box before closing it.  I ask each child to share the story with someone before eating it, so they take it home and share it with their families and friends.

Note:  Always ensure children have clean hands before beginning.  Also check for food allergies.  It is hard for young children to wait to eat while handling food, so I always have extras and permit them to have a nibble as the story is told.

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Recipes for shortbread, gingerbread and rocky road below

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Short Bread

Mix together 4 tablespoons margarine and 1/4 cup sugar, then add 1 egg and a few drops of vanilla essence. Add 1 1/2 cups plain flour and 1/2 cup SR flour.  Knead and then place in fridge for a few hours.  Roll out on a floured board and cut out shapes about 1/2 cm thick.  Bake in a moderate oven 10 -15 minutes.

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Gingerbread

This mixture must be made the day before it is needed and can be kept in the fridge for weeks.

Melt together 2 tablespoons margarine with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 4 tablespoons golden syrup in a microwave.

In a large bowl put 2 cups plain flour, 1 teaspoon bicarb soda, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon mixed spice.  Add melted mixture and 2 tablespoons milk and stir until combined.  Put in the fridge until needed.  Then roll out on floured board, cut out shapes about 1/2 cm thick and bake for 15 minutes in a moderate oven.  These can be decorated before cooking with cachous or rainbow choc chips.

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Rocky Road

In a large bowl put 1 tablespoon copha and 2/3 family block of plain milk chocolate and melt in a microwave, stirring to avoid burning.

Add half a large packet of marshmallows and half a packet of small marshmallows and about half a packet of ripe raspberries.  Stir until everything is chocolate coated.  Put in a shallow tray and place in freezer to set.  Cut into squares and wrap in alfoil or cellophane bags.

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Advent Water Prayers

As you take a sip of water, thank God for fresh, cool water to drink.

Pray for those around the world without  safe water to drink.

Choose a word from the bottom of the water bottle and use it as a prayer thought.

Touch the star and remember the magi who followed the star to find Jesus.

Pray that you too will be wise enough to find Jesus in Christmas.

Note: Aqua Pura spring water bottles are embossed with the star and the words “Thankyou”, “Peace”, “Trust” and “Love”. This brand is available from major supermarkets.

• Clear, informative signage
• Welcoming and inclusive
• Safe environment – clean, well-maintained, well fenced, safe storage
• Child-protection policy
• Special needs accommodated
• Membership information, costs, requirements including insurance and policies are clearly explained
• Privacy of information respected
• Managed responsibly, either an individual coordinator or team, paid or voluntary
• Invites and values feedback
• Encourages participation
• Information about other family services available
• Range of play experiences provided
• Good quality toys and equipment
• Clean toilet with nappy change table and provision for disposal of soiled nappies
• Safe food handling practices
• Encourages healthy food choices – fruit for morning tea
• Offers choice of beverages for parents
• Risk management in place e.g. Emergency Evacuation Plan & First Aid box available, screening for volunteers, limit on numbers
• Commitment to play-based learning
• Sun safe policy regarding wearing of hats and sunscreen

(A short talk given by Judyth Roberts at the Breathe Conference, August 2009)

Why talk about playgroups?

Because playgroup is what happens when you put a child in the midst! (Mark: 9:36-37)

• Families with young children in our society are hungry for our hospitality …
• Searching for safe places for them and their children …
• Waiting to be welcomed…

Here are 10 compelling reasons why every church should consider having a playgroup:

1. It is how we can keep our promise to baptism families and to God, that we will support them as their child grows up. Playgroup is a good place to display information about baptism for families.
2. Research into the development of babies’ brains has revealed that most growth and the connections inside the brain that affect intellectual and emotional development are 85% complete by the time a child is 3 years. If churches aren’t interested in children until they start school, then most of the early years for forming relationships and nurturing faith are lost.
3. Both child and adult come to playgroup and stay, so the scene is set for playfulness and relaxed conversation about things that interest them. Many groups support children or parents but only playgroup is equally for both (but it’s the adult who decides whether to come or not each week).
4. It will get your church talked about in the community, in a good way. People who come will identify with your church; ‘that’s my church!’ they’ll say as they drive past. The partners and friends of people who attend your playgroup will hear all about it and may contribute skills or material things to your group. Your church becomes relevant to many people and moves from the margins to the centre of community life.
5. Churches tend to have many older people with well-honed parenting skills. Women can share their experience and skills to encourage and support younger women at playgroup.
6. Starting a playgroup is cheap and uses resources you should already have – hospitable people who can make a good cuppa, a comfortable space and a heart for children.
7. Having a playgroup means your church can apply for lots of community grants which will not only benefit playgroup, but will also add to the amenities and resources of your church for everyone and alert the local council etc to the fact you are there and a community resource.
8. We are called by God to respond in love to the needs of young families and share our faith with them. We can counter the negative effects of our culture (eg. isolation, consumerism, competitiveness) by creating a supportive loving culture at playgroup.
9. Playgroup’s experiential – enabling people to live well. Parents are sick of being told what they need to learn and do to be a good parent. They want to experience what it feels like to enjoy their child.
10. It’s sensory fun – playgroup is a sensory banquet for young children to taste and see that the world God made is good.

The Bible Society offers a number of  FREE short videos aimed at primary school children.  ”Because Jesus Loves Me” and other titles are  also available for a small fee.

So begins the adventures of Car Park Parables. A delightful collection of stories that Jesus told, but with a twist – cars are the characters!

Written especially for young boys more interested in cars than bedtime stories, they will delight boys and girls of all ages.

This DVD features animated photos from the books with narration by the author Paul Clark and special guest Gordon Burley (Shepherd of the Outback) as the voice of Old Mr T. Great for home, Children’s ministry and Worship.

• Old Mr T. (Luke 13:18-21). How it all Began. 5 min
• The Prodigal Pick-up (Luke 15:11-32). 8:30 sec
• The Good Ford (Luke 10:25-37). 7 mins
• The Missing Motorcycle (Luke 15:1-7). 6:45 sec
• Issi’s Baptism (Romans 6:1-5). A Baptism Story. 5 min

RRP $9.95
Order Now

Thanks to Neena Evans and her family for contributing these graces. If you would like to share a grace, let us know in the comments or email us!

Graces we use – Authors Unknown

We will we will Praise Him

Tune: We will We will Rock you
Rhythm: Stomp Stomp Clap Stomp Stomp Clap
Author – Unknown

Jesus is a cool dude,
Forty days without food
Livin’ His life by the golden rule
He died in our place
Amazing Grace
Spreading His love all over the place.
Singin’ we will we will Praise Him Amen
Singin’We will we will Praise Him Amen.

Superman Grace

Tune: Superman Theme

Thank You God
For giving us Food
Thank you God
For Giving us food
For the food we eat
And the friends we meet
Thank you God
For Giving us food
Woosh …. Amen

God is Great Grace

God is great
God is good
And we thank Him for our food
We’re gonna thank him
Morning, noon and night
We’re gonna thank you Lord
Cause you’re outta sight
Amen (clap clap)Amen (clap clap) Amen (clap, clap, clap)

Graces we’ve made up to popular tunes

Gods the Greatest

Tune : Bob the Builder

Gods the greatest! Do we love Him?
Gods the Greatest! Yes we do!
Whenever we’re Hungry, whenever we thirst.
God fills us up till we almost burst!
Thankyou God for being so great.
Help us enjoy what’s on our plate.
Gods the greatest! Do we love Him?
Gods the Greatest! Yes we do!

What About Me? (Grace)

Tune: What about me.

What about me? I’ve lots to eat.
I’m here with my friends
And it’s such a treat.
Can’t you see? He cares for me.
My God cares so much for me!
Please don’t take more than you need!
Thankyou God.

We’re here down by the River (Grace)

Tune : You make me feel like a river sung by Casey Chambers

We’re here down by the river
Where the water swiftly flows
I wanna shout it out from the mountains
Wanna sing it on the radio
I wanna thankyou for my dinner
O how we love you so oooo
We love you so oooo

Humpty Dumpty Grace

Tune: Humpty Dumpty

Thankyou God for giving us food
God you are a really cool dude
For families, for friends and gifts from above
We thankyou, please help us to share your love. Amen

Lovin’ Lord Grace

Tune: Mamma Mia

Chorus: Lovin’ Lord, Here we are again
My My, Great Food we can’t resist it
Lovin’ Lord, Here we are again
My My, Looks good don’t want to miss it
V.1.
Oooh we long to praise you
Especially for camp stew
Thank you – God for givin’ us this food
Chorus:
V.2
Oooh we praise you further
For a great hamburger
Thank you – God for givin’ us this food
Amen Aaaaamen.

Better than life

Tune: Better than life – Hillsong

Better than hot chips from the café,
Better than pies from the baker shop,
Better than choc-o-lates or coke,
that’s just the start.
Better than McDonalds or Hungry Jacks,
Better than pizza or ice creams,
Better than lunches from the canteen
Your love is,
Thank you God for this food
in Jesus name Amen
(Repeat)

It is a high quality resource to support families to share their faith with their children. Faith Family is produced by a national team of people from various Christian faith traditions including Uniting Churches, Lutheran, Anglican and Catholic.

Faith Family is an A3 glossy sheet folder over to A4 size. Each copy costs 25c and 4 copies are produced each year. It is distributed to congregations, schools and organisations who present it as a gift to families associated with them.

To find out more, to get a free sample copy or to subscribe please fill in the form below.

The Gospels in Playdough contains 73 stories about Jesus. Each story is set out in a way that guides the parent or teacher through the process of engaging their children. The appendix contains more examples and a recipe for playdough.

Rev’d Neil Millar, a lecturer at St. Mark’s National Theological Centre, has described that book as “a creative and enjoyable way of introducing children in their most formative years to the life-changing story of Jesus”.

Visit  The Gospels in Playdough website. Judyth has some copies of the book for $20 each, or it can be ordered through the Koorong website.

Ingredients:
1 cup plain flour
½ teaspoon bicarb soda
½ teaspoon powdered ginger
½ teaspoon mixed spice
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 tablespoon milk

1. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup together and pour into flour   mixture.  Add milk.
3. Mix well to form a dough. Leave if possible to cool down to room    temperature (preferably overnight).  Dough will keep in sealed container in fridge for a month.
4. Knead dough on a lightly floured board, then roll out to ½ cm thick or roll between fingers.
5. Cut out shapes, decorate with rainbow choc chips or cachous or currants, then bake on Gladbake in a 200° oven for 10 minutes or until beginning to brown.

The mixture should have the consistency of playdough and be easy for children to manipulate.  The created biscuits can be moulded without cutters or rolled and cut with cutters.  They taste delicious and look very good decorated with colourful dots or traditional currants and if decorated before baking, are ready to eat without further icing etc.  If using icing after baking, buy the tubes of coloured icing to enable young children to manipulate it successfully.

Note:  this is a good recipe for children with egg or milk allergies as it doesn’t contain egg and a milk substitute can be used.