Giving support and training to those working with children and young people, resourcing their work in a variety of contexts and with a variety of partners.
A voice for children and young people and their workers in the diocese and in the parishes.

 

 

Year of the Child 2009

2009 is the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations year of the Child. In Wakefield Diocese we have taken the opportunity to listen to the voices of children and young people. More information.

Please download the topic you require for more information:

1. My Community - Feedback and Review
2. School Life - Feedback and Review
3. The Church - Feedback and Review
4. God's World - Feedback and Review
5. The People of God's World - Feedback and Review
6. My Life - Feedback and Review
7. Prayer - Feedback and Review
8. Gifts - Feedback and Review
9. A Dream Church - Feedback and Review
10. What now?
Conclusions and Recommendations

What will you do to make a change in the Year of the Child 2009? - PCC Pledge

 

What's On

Calendar: April - September 2009

 

Year of the Child 2009 Event

Saturday 19 September 2009, 2.00pm - 5.30pm at Silcoates School, Wakefield WF2 0PD. An afternoon celebrating the Year of the Child. Activities, Barbecue and Communion! The event is ticket only, so to book - contact Ann Hall on 01924 371802.

 

Children and Youth Team Newsletters

Mailing from the Children and Youth Advisors for all age groups.

Latest newsletter - April 2009
Year of the Child 2009 newsletter - December 2008
Good Practice Special - December 2007

 

Transforming Lives 2009

Every parish in the diocese is encouraged to produce a Transformational Plan which will be presented to the Bishop in November 2009. These plans are to be the shared vision of the whole church family, from the youngest to the oldest in each congregation. The packs below have been written to ensure that the voices of those between 0 - 18 years of age are heard:

1. Worship (large download 1MB)
2. Pastoral Care (large download 1MB)
3. Prayer and Spirituality (large download 1MB)
4. Evangelism (large download 1MB)
5. Community Involvement (large download 1MB)

 

Children and Youth Leaders' Pathway

For more details - click here (updated 6 April 2009). To confirm dates, check the Calendar or contact Ann Hall on 01924 371802.

Modules include: Induction, Context, Good Practice, Child Protection; the Bible, Multigenerational worship, Ways of working, Evangelism and Outside the Church.

 

Important note re Car Lifts

Parishes and group leaders are asked to make special note of the problems surrounding offering lifts to a group of children who may be delivered to their homes one by one. If this leads to one child being left in the car, the Code of Good Practice is being broken. It is the firm recommendation of the Code of Good Practice that one adult is NEVER alone with a group of children or with one child, whether it be in a building or in a car or out of doors. For the protection of the adult and the well being of the children, it is good practice for 2 adults always to be present.

Sample Forms for working with Youth and Children

Admission to Communion before Confirmation

New regulations came into force on 15 June 2006.
For information and resources - click here.
Also download a copy of the Regulations (pdf 48kb) and a copy of the Form requesting the Bishop of Wakefield's permission for children to be admitted in your parish.
Also suggested Admission of Children to Communion Liturgy.

 

Also...

Employment Guidelines for Youth and Children's Workers
Insurance: important information for children and youth groups - April 2007
First Aid at Work: Health and Safety Executive (external link)
Supporting children with special needs - ideas which may be helpful - September 2007.
Church or parish halls - model hiring agreement for PCCs (downloadable Word doc)

 

X:site Calderdale is a fun-filled, Jesus-centred, action-packed, multimedia event for school years 3 - 6, held at the Salvation Army, St James Street, Halifax at 6.00pm. It is supported by Scripture Union.

Urban Saints aims to help young people live lives of faith, hope and love through Jesus Christ by providing resources and training to UK churches. Once known as 'Crusaders' they also organise events, residential's, mentoring courses and opportunities for service at home and abroad.

 

Energize is a complete web-based support package for youth and children's leaders. The Energize website is stacked with a huge range of resources including creative meeting plans, online articles, drama sketches, online training for leaders and online mentoring for young people. Produced by Urban Saints it gives young people a chance to connect with God in a new and refreshing way.

Fresh Roles is an online job board specifically for Christian youth and children's workers. Advertisers can post job listings instantly for just £40, and job seekers can subscribe to a free weekly email update.

 

 

Useful Resources

Christmas Tableau A script for creating a Christmas Tableau in the style of Godly Play. Ideal for a Christmas service or party.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Words, background explanation and actions. Ideal for a Christmas party or service.

Christmas Stars A simple idea for using plastic drinks bottles to make decorations.

Back to Church Sunday Thoughts on including children and young people in 'Back to Church Sunday' planning.

Lutheran Prayer Beads A resource from Finland. Kits for the beads are now available from the resource centres. Click on the link to download details of the beads and a liturgy.

Paper Tearing Origami Cross Fold the paper, make two tears and spell the word 'LIFE' then miraculously open the rest of the paper to discover the cross.

Pentecost Ideas Creative ideas to explore the Holy Spirit and the Holy Trinity.

Halloween Stickers Ideal for when "Trick or Treat" night comes around. Print out the page onto stickers and then give them to those who call!

Better than Halloween An inspiring resource book to help plan alternative Halloween activities for 5 to 11 year olds.

Focus on Poetry How about a bit of poetry? Some resources to buy or borrow.

Planning your Sunday School - An overview of different resources designed to help people planning Sunday-by-Sunday work with children

How about an animal service? An idea and Service Outline for a celebration next summer.
Click here for resources for Children and youth for the Everyday God Lent Course

 

Resource Centres

Visit the Resource Centres

Wakefield Resource Centre
Church House, Wakefield: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
No late night opening in August.
From September, late night opening will be the first Tuesday in the month, 7.00pm - 9.00pm.

Mirfield Resource Centre
Mirfield Centre, Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield:
Monday - Thursday, 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Fridays, 10am - 1.00pm
During August, the Centre will be closed.

 

 

New Resources Reviews of new resources available - Bible notes, games books and Sunday School ideas.