Archives for: August 2016

There were 5 posts published in August 2016.
26 Aug, 2016

ABOUT PRAY FOR OUR PACIFIC

Pray for our Pacific is non-denominational and open to interpretation. Therefore each church community has an opportunity to Pray for our Pacific in whatever way best reflects their community and capacity. These are some examples:

  • Dedication of a prayer during your sabbath service.
  • Dedication of your church service to #PrayForOurPacific
  • Youth-lead #PrayForOurPacific activities
  • A #PrayForOurPacific prayer circle
  • Sharing stories from relevant scriptures with Sunday school children
  • Sharing local stories of climate impacts
  • Remembrance service dedicated to lives lost during climate change disasters
  • #PrayForOurPacific church rally which includes all of the above!

Your event can be as big or as small as you like. What is important is that your church owns your event and you know that you will be joined by our brothers and sisters throughout the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Possibly beyond!

It’s important that we as a people use our faith to empower ourselves and this movement. We aren’t looking to our faith as a way to solve the issue of climate change, but we are looking to our faith to find the strength to continue the fight to protect the planet that was gifted to us. Not a planet that we have dominion over, but a planet we are stewards of.

16 Aug, 2016

Alpha’s Global Invitation

This year Alpha’s going global with over 52 countries launching at the same time in
September, extended over 18 months. Through the campaign video and materials, Bear Grylls will challenge the perception of being a fearless outdoor adventurer by sharing an untold story of his inner adventure to faith.

Aotearoa

bearWith the help of Bear Grylls popularity, Alpha New Zealand is planning on running a significant advertising throughout the country. My understanding is, that Alpha aims to have 350 churches in our country start an Alpha course just after Easter in May 2017.  Alpha can’t make this happen, and needs churches to partner with them.

In September 2016 Alpha New Zealand will be holding “Invite the Nation“, 1 hour events, across New Zealand. With food, a talk and discussion Alpha wants to encourage cities and towns to come together to invite the nation.

Whangarei: 5th September 2016, 7pm, St Andrews Uniting Church
Auckland – North Shore: 6th September 2016, 7pm, Birkenhead Baptist Church
Auckland – Central: 7th September 2016, 12pm, Mt Albert Baptist Church
Auckland – East: 7th September 2016, 7pm, Elim Botany Downs
Hamilton: 9th September 2016, 12pm, Hamilton Central Baptist Church
Tauranga: 9th September 2016, 7pm, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Hawke’s Bay: 10th September 2016, 7pm, St John’s Presbyterian Church, Hastings
Palmerston North: 12th September 2016, 7pm, Salvation Army Palmerston North
Waitara / New Plymouth: 13th September 2016, 7pm, Knox Church Waitara
Wellington: 22nd September 2016, 7pm, Salvation Army Johnsonville
Nelson: 15th September 2016, 7pm, St Barnabas Anglican Church Stoke
Christchurch: 16th September 2016, Grace Vineyard City Campus
Dunedin: 19th September 2016, East Taieri Church
Gore: TBC

RSVP

At these meetings you will get access to resources to invite your community/your peers/your colleagues to explore faith. With one of the worlds most recognised TV stars as the face of the Invitation, there’s never been a better opportunity to invite people on Alpha.

15 Aug, 2016

Curriculum on World Religions

As Christian communities we do not need to be fearful of our young people learning about other world religions. Given the multicultural landscape our young people are growing up in, it is in fact helpful for our young people’s Christian faith to learn about their neighbours.

“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15

Here are a few different options for you.

Curriculum

Christian Studies World Religions

Written by Dr Jennifer Macleod of Columba College, Dunedin. This curriculum is NCEA Achievement Standard: Religious studies 2.4. It explores what religion is and differing perspectives on it. It also covers the major world religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

World Religions

Loving Our Muslim Neighbours

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota have put together a great little resource to help learn the basic tenets of Islam

Youth Curriculum

Self Learning Resources

BBC World Religions

This is a good website for finding out about each religion ­ it is not overly detailed, so it is a good place to start!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

And it includes a really interesting Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders

Religion Facts

This is another good introductory website.

http://www.religionfacts.com/

CrashCourse Youtube Channel

John Green has a series of great educational videos, including some religious understanding in the World History Section.

3 Aug, 2016

Quick tips on engaging with parents

Communicating regularly with parents is vital. Parents can be great advocates for your ministry in the church and in the wider community when they are on board. Here are some recommendations from our Engaging with Parents Policy:

  1. Create a brochure/Facebook page or website that clearly communicates:
    • The aims and values of your youth ministry
    • How parents can get in touch with you
    • Information on specific dates and times venues and activities that are on offer (see example)
  2. Contact parents whenever you are doing something new outside of the normal interaction that you have with them.
  3. If you drop off or pick up a student from their home take 2 or 3 minutes to check in with the parents.
  4. When young people are being picked up or dropped off at your venue ensure you have some key leaders in the car park who will introduce themselves to parents and give any helpful information necessary.
  5. Try and keep in contact with parents with a phone call at least once a term.
1 Aug, 2016

Love Reaches Out – Art Competition

Each year Kid Friendly (the children’s department of the Presbyterian Church) runs an art and writing competition, with over $900 worth of cool prizes to be won..The compeition has different age categories, ranging all the way up to Year 8. So this may be worth checking out if you have an intermediate youth ministry.

The Love Reaches Out art and writing competition winds up on Friday, 26 August 2016.

Download the competition poster and entry forms.