Saturday June 8, 2013
10 am to 3 pm
Kippax Uniting Church,
Cnr Luke and Hardwick Sts, Holt, Canberra

Judyth Roberts, Godly Play, Messy Church and Playgroups consultant with the Uniting Church, NSW/ACT Synod, is leading a one-day workshop on Godly Play, faith formation for children and families, and dealing with challenging behaviour.

Download the flyer for all the details (PDF 1mb)

Flame Hats

In other Christian traditions, people like popes and archbishops wear flame shaped hats, representing the flames seen hovering over the heads of the people gathered at the first Pentecost, as described in the Bible.  A simple way of remembering this event is to make a cardboard headband and children can cut out flame shapes in red, yellow and orange and attach them to the band.

Sheets of coloured paper or light card can be folded into a flame shape as well.

Flame Collage

A simple and quiet activity children can engage in cooperatively during a worship service is to make a large group collage of flames.  Cut red, orange and yellow cellophane into a flame shape and have them in a large container.  Give each child a glue stick and encourage them to add to the flames on a large cardboard poster.  This can be displayed at the front of the church once it is finished.

Church decorations and worship ideas

It can be hard to decorate a space as big as most churches to make an impact, but one way is large swathes of fabric.  One year I bought 12 metres of cheap red fabric and draped it across the front of our church.  This fabric has since be used many times in a number of ways but always makes a dramatic back drop on Pentecost Sunday.  I have also used large shiny red gift boxes out the front, stacked up and with red ribbons tied around them – representing the gifts of the Spirit.  Red balloons, either helium filled or air filled and tied with red ribbon are effective decorations.  I have given young people and children noise-makers and novelty party blowers to re-enact the noise of rushing wind, and they have thrown streamers to dramatise the events being described in the Pentecost Bible reading.

It is fun to remind people the week before to wear red, and have some red stickers, ribbons or flowers for people who forget.  During the service encourage everyone to say the Lord’s Prayer in their own first language and hear the sounds of many voices using different languages to say the same thing.

A dramatic climax to a worship service for Pentecost is a large birthday cake with candles or sparklers which can be shared at morning tea.  If you use candles that can’t be extinguished (available from party shops) then this can illustrate the inextinguishable Spirit of the church.

Children’s Talk with Popcorn

Sometimes the best way to think about something as complex as the action of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, is to use a really simple analogy.

Here in my hand I have a few small corn kernels: they are closed, tight, hard. You can fit them in a small space.

They remind me of the first disciples: although they had witnessed the resurrection, encountered the risen Christ and seen first hand the power of God, they remained small, frightened, unsure and (literally) dis-spirited.

We place them in a small place, a small upper room (put them in the popper) a room where they might re-enact a meal, a ritual of when Jesus was there.

To these small items, we add something powerful: the word of the Holy Spirit: a mighty wind(turn on the popper) and we begin to see a transformation: we cannot see the Holy Spirit herself, but we can see the action she has on the disciples.

(The corn begins to pop) An explosion of energy! A rapid expansion! Beyond the confines of the upper room and into the world, the disciples are no longer tight, hard, withdrawn, but open, fluffy, delightful!

Some are spread far and wide into the world (making a mess on the  floor). It transforms the ritual of bread and wine from a simple memorial to a living re-enactment – as the Holy Spirit brings Christ present in our midst and the body and blood of Christ feeds the dynamic, living world of faith.

My dear friends, the Holy Spirit is here with us today, and can transform you in equally dynamic ways; the Holy Spirit can take that inner hardness, reticence, fear and doubt and help you to be open, fulfilled, released into the world to make a difference.

The Psalmist wrote “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8)

For it is through experience, not deduction or logic that we know this to be true. Taste and see my dear friends, and you will know that by the work of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed, we are like those first disciples, we are bursting with the energy and the love of God.

(Eat popcorn) We have tasted, and we know. Come Holy Spirit. Come. (Yummy!)

Amen.

Kites, wind catchers, sun catcher

For young children to enter into the Pentecost excitement, a variety of simple crafts enable them to create something to take home.  Simple decorative kites can be made from red cardboard and curling ribbon but an easy kite that actually ‘flies’ can be made from a paper bag and string and can be customised by each child. An alternative is to go to a $2 shop and purchase a DIY kite kit for each child.

Wind catchers are also simply made by rolling a piece of paper and attaching streamers to the end.  These can be hung in a window to catch the breeze.

Cardboard tubes can also be decorated with streamers, wand waved energetically to create ‘wind’.

A paper plate can become a beautiful sun catcher with ‘flames’ in the centre.

Windmills

When the Spirit of God came the first disciples heard a noise like roaring wind! Make a windmill to remind you of the power of wind to make things move, and the power of the Spirit in us. Instructions

Holy Spirit Sparkle Cakes

Pentecost is the church’s birthday -decorate cupcakes in flame colours, then put a sparkler on top and watch it sparkle as you sing ‘Happy Birthday!’

Fruits of the Spirit Smoothie Bar

The Bible tells us the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Mix a ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ cocktail or smoothie.

Flame Tree Prayers

Take a flame shape and write a prayer or wish. Hang the flame on the tree.

Spirit Signing

Check Auslan to find ways to communicate using Auslan – see if you can sign The Spirit, or Jesus, or God.

Red flame dove 1

The red dove that features in the Uniting Church in Australia’s logo can be added to kites, helicopters and spinners to symbolise the Holy Spirit as a dove and as flames. For ideas for helicopters see here

Red flame dove 2

The red dove that features in the Uniting Church in Australia’s logo can be celebrated by seating children in a circle and gently allowing some red feathers (available from craft shops) to float down over them. Encourage each child to pick up a red feather and say a prayer either aloud or silently and then blow the feather in the air. They can keep the feathers to remind them of the Holy Spirit’s role in enabling us to pray.

Bubbles

A simple and fun way to help young children celebrate Pentecost is to give each child a small bottle of party bubbles and show them how to blow gently to create bubbles. Bubble prayers are ‘breath’ prayers you say when you are blowing bubbles, and can illustrate the way our prayers make a beautiful offering to God. Or you could pass a pot of bubbles around the circle. As each individual blows a bubble, they say a prayer, either silently or aloud.

Links

SA Synod, mission resourcing network, all age worship, Pentecost

Barnabas in Churches – Christian Year – Pentecost

Older members can remember the momentous event when three separate denominations joined together to form the Uniting Church in 1977. But it is worth taking the time to tell the story to younger generations or new members, so that the joy of that occasion and all that has been achieved is not lost.

Here are few suggestions for telling that story using the UCA logo and a variety of materials:

Story in felt

I used this recently in a church worship service and not only the children but adults too were fascinated to see the logo emerge…

I have a story in this box (Hold up box, but leave lid on) – I wonder if the colours of the box are a clue? What are the colours? Mmm, three colours in one box. Let’s see what is inside.

(Place black felt circle on the floor and smooth it out slowly) What does this look like?  (Usually someone will say “it is a black circle”) Yes, well the person who first told this story said this is like a darkened earth … (Move your hand over the felt in a slow circle) Have you ever seen photos of planet earth in the dark?

(Get the next piece out of the box, a white felt u-shape, and place it on) This makes a difference. What does it look like now? (Usually someone will say “a smiley face”) It certainly looks brighter now.  What could it mean?  I wonder if this is a bowl … or a letter ‘u’…?

(Get the next piece which is a long white strip of felt) I wonder what this means? (Someone usually says it is like an anchor or boat) It could be those things, but what happens when we add this? (Place the other strip of felt to form the cross)

(At this point it looks strikingly like an anchor and you can agree with that suggestion, and perhaps point out that it also looks like a boat without a sail. Sit back and pause, looking puzzled) Hmmm, this is good, but it needs something more.

(Get the red felt dove out and place it in the middle) Ahh, this makes all the difference! This brings it to life! What do you think it is? Yes, it is a bird, but not just any bird. This is a dove, a sign of the Spirit, and it is red, like Pentecost. The red dove is flying not resting. Do you think it looks like a red flame too?

(By now people realise it is a familiar logo and they are intrigued) The three colours represent the three churches that formed the Uniting Church – Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational. The darkened earth has received the light of the cross, the u-shape stands for the Uniting Church but also helps form an anchor or a boat, both early symbols of the church. But the red dove expresses the movement of the Spirit, and just like it brings this logo to life, it brings the church to life.

(Get out some small red feathers) In the box there are also some red feathers, from the red dove, so take one and remember the red dove and what it means, and when you see this logo on a building, it might be a school or a church or an aged care centre or a shop, you will know what it means.

The story in a biscuit (sweet)

Take a plain dark chocolate biscuit like a wheaten.

Using white icing, either roll it between your hands to form shapes, or roll it out on a board and cut it out in shapes, form a u-shape on the biscuit.

Next add the cross the same way.

Then add the red dove, either cut out of fruit strap or using red icing in a squeeze tube.

See the felt story above for the meaning of the logo. Tell the story as you decorate the biscuit, then let children make their own.

The same technique can be used to decorate a cupcake. If desired a large round cake can be iced with dark chocolate and decorated with whipped cream in a can and fresh strawberries or frozen berries to form the UCA logo. This makes a spectacular morning tea after a church service.

The story in a Jatz/vegemite/cheese style (savoury)

Take a plain Jatz biscuit or something similar, like a round water cracker.

Spread with Vegemite.

Add the u-shape cut out of cheese or bent with string cheese. Add the cross in cheese.

The red dove can be cut from tomato or red capsicum or even a squeeze of tomato sauce.

See the felt story above for the meaning of the logo. Tell the story as you decorate the biscuit, then let the children make their own. They might like to make lots for morning tea for everyone!

Colour-in Uniting Church Logo

Download a colouring in version of the Uniting Church logo

Uniting Church wrist band

The three colours represent the three churches that came together to form the Uniting Church – the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches.

Children can plait together three colours of ribbon or dyed leather straps to form a wrist band.

Black and white and red beads can also be used to remember the three denominations that formed the Uniting Church.

You might also be interested in Pentecost ideas

Bible Society Australia is offering a limited number of FREE Bibles, NT, Gospels of Mark to Christian Religious Education Teachers / SRE / RE teachers & Chaplains for use in Australian Public Schools.

Here is the link with more information about the ‘Bibles for Schools Project’, Including the application form teachers will need to fill in and get back to Bible Society Australia before 5^th April 2013.

Follow the link for more information and application form:
http://www.biblesociety.org.au/projects/bibles-given/bibles-for-schools

Where?
Wedderburn Christian Conference Centre
(near Campbelltown)

Cost:
Registration $5 per camper

Accommodation:
Camping – $20 per camper per night
Limited bunk/cabin accommodation available @ $35 3-10yrs
and $39 (11+).

Who For:
Children in years 3-6

For more information contact Christine Bayliss-Kelly 0409 925 607

Lent is more than giving up some food or activity, it is a time of reflection and repentance, a time to study God’s word, live simply and explore Lent traditions that have helped Christians in the past come closer to God.

Download the Fridge Faith for Families 2013 Lent calendar

You might also like: The Grace Cube

The Grace Cube can be cut out, folded up and glued into a cube, each side providing you with a different way to say grace at the meal table, take it in turns to throw the dice before you eat and say the prayer on the cube.

A Grace is a prayer said before meals as a simple way to thank God for our lives and for providing us with the food we eat.

Download the Grace Cube

Wondering about Messy Church?

There will be a ‘come and try’ session on Saturday 9th March at 11.00 am – 12.30 pm at Engadine Uniting Church hall, Corner of Cambrai & Chipilly Streets, Engadine. From 12.30 – 1.30 there will be lunch and a chance for further discussion.

Already have a ‘Messy Church’?

Also on Saturday 9th March, there will be a Messy Fiesta, a time to share stories, craft ideas and chat with others involved in Messy Church. The Fiesta runs from 2.00-4.00 pm, and will be facilitated by Judyth Roberts, Messy Church Project, Uniting Mission and Education. Venue is Engadine Uniting Church hall.Corner Cambrai & Chipilly Streets, Engadine

More information is available from Patty Lawrence 9520 8859 engadineuca@gmail.com or Judyth Roberts 0409154625.

Download the Registration Form

Professional Training Day

13 February 9.30am – 4.30pm 

9.30
Welcome/registration, tea, coffee

10-11
Keynote by Ivy Beckwith
Formational Children’s Ministry

11-11.30
Morning tea

11.30 – 12.30
Q&A Ivy Beckwith

12.30 – 1.30
Lunch break

Workshops

1.30 – 2.40
Session 1

Break

2.50 – 4.00
Session 2

4.-00 – 4.30
Plenary session: Working for the church – what you need to know (panel)

Workshop Electives

SRE session 1 – Essentials of teaching SRE
(includes Safe Church and Working with Children Checks) with Emma Parr

SRE session 2 – classroom management and language in SRE
(includes Safe Church and Working with Children Checks) with Emma Parr

Session 1 Children’s spirituality – what it is and why it matters
(includes what makes a church child-friendly) with Judyth Roberts

Session 1 Post-modern children’s ministry with Ivy Beckwith

Session 2 ’Strategies for promoting what you do’ with Judyth Roberts

A Day in the Park is a free Children’s Week event, coordinated by Uniting Mission and Education and supported by a committed team including local churches, schools, playgroups, businesses, community groups, volunteers and the local government.

In excess of 800 people enjoyed the live music from local schools, a sausage sizzle provided by Rotary, stories, free books, fruit on sticks, a sticky box, icing gingerbreads, a playdough tent, and the Tooth Fairy with a bubble wand.

Children squealed in delight as they saw and touched baby animals for the first time, including chickens and ducklings, lambs, goats and rabbits. There was also face painting and ball games.

Everything was provided free to families with young children, and many grandparents also enjoyed the morning which was officially opened by Joanna Drayton, Leadership Development Coordinator for the Sydney North and Ku-Ring-Gai Presbyteries.

Update: See more photos from A Day in the Park