Keeping connected
|
The families who are part of your groups are now potentially feeling very alone. Do you have a Facebook page? If you do maybe post ideas on that. Or even do your singing and story time on Facebook Live. Daniels Den – a lovely toddler group has posted theirs and the families joined live to join in and help pick the songs. Maybe pick the time of the week you usually meet? Don’t forget that you can email too if you have permission. If you would like the CYP team to provide you with some of these sessions do let us know, we can video and send over, however your children may prefer a friendly face but we can suggest ideas & resources for you to use. Children Use email & social media (within GDPR perimeters) to contact your children’s parents. Let them know they are being prayed for. As you are offering children and family activities Saddleback Church (Rick Warren’s) is keen to help with a pack of their videos free to download that can be used as you wish https://store.saddlebackkids.com/free-bible-story-pack One Way Ministries One Way UK we are passionate about providing resources and training in puppetry and creative ministries, but we also want to do what we can to help churches connect and stay connected with children and families. Through many people submitting links we are building up this new Online Resource Centre, to point you to some of the wonderful resources that are available. This page will be constantly developing and growing as more ideas are submitted https://onewayuk.com/resources
Young People As you want to support your young people through this difficult time we have a few suggestions We have put together some Guidance – approved by our Safeguarding Team - to help you keep your young people and you safe as you meet together. Click here for the link and resources A lot of groups have found Zoom to be a really helpful tool for meeting virtually. Here is a guide to help you get going. It can be used for free with a 40 minute limit to conversations. Your church, as a charity, is able to buy the package with no limits for half price – still £53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcEXn4mnyLM As more young people need to isolate please consider those with difficult home situations – find a way for them to have a support network they can reach out to. Encourage young people to have regular (i.e. daily) communication with at least 2 other young people not in their home, ideally by phone/Skype rather than text. Other Churches are finding ways to go online- maybe suggest them to your young people - alternatively make them your worship and Bible study for the week? Children & Young People Sessions on Anxiety & Fear Youth For Christ are running weekly sessions for Children & Young People, the content produced for you in this time of uncertainty is completely free. Please also share it with other team members in your church or other children’s and youth workers that you know to help them stay connected. Sessions 1 & 2 (split into age appropriate content) are up on their website and be found here and here Youth For Christ have put together some resources for Youth Leaders to use with their young people online. Sign up and they will send you weekly updates. Connecting Differently Kathryn Belmont youth leader is a youth leader in a larger church (in Preston-on-Tees) for her older youth, using Instagram really effectively. https://www.instagram.com/all.saints.youth/ (first video) - copy of the video she uploaded is here if you’re not on insta. Well worth looking at for inspiration. |
Toddler Groups
