Introduction

Church Army Sister Sandra Doore is the Diocesan Development Officer for Children's Work, and she has a busy year ahead with 2009 having been designated The Year of the Child .

Sandra says: "The Year of the Child is for parishes, both Anglican and ecumenical, the idea being that first of all we celebrate the work that we are already doing with children. This year is a time to take stock and offer this to God and each other."

She adds: "The second thing we can do this year is look to the future. Do we need to change the way that we work with the children we have? Or is there something that we would like to try, helping us to make links with the children in our community ?".

Sandra explains that the diocese has made available some small grants to parishes via the Diocesan Development Officer for Children’s Work at Church House. The grants are for new initiatives by the local parish church community as a way of saying "have a go at something new! Take a risk and we will help you in the process."

She asks: "Have you ever thought about linking with your local school to offer an after school club on a weekly or fortnightly basis? Or how about a family activity day on the local green or in the vicarage grounds? This would help in making contacts with families as well as providing a service that the community needs.

"Other ideas are setting up a ‘messy church’ or ‘teatime church’. This would involve the children in craft activities with their parents or carers and it's aimed at introducing families to the Christian faith and to the church. There is also the idea of having an activity afternoon or holiday club in the summer that children can go to for fun, games, and singing – all based on a theme from the Bible.

"The main aim is to provide money toward something new which will help children or families within the church or wider community."
Practical advice is available from Sandra and members of the Children’s Work Task Group.

"Let's celebrate the gift that God has given us in children ! " she says. "Relate to them, care for them and introduce them to the greatest friend that they could ever know! Let’s take a risk and see what God is doing in the lives of our children today!"

There will be a series of Thanksgiving and Commissioning Services in 2009 for Children’s Work Leaders:

6th June 11 am Hexham Abbey.
13th June 11 am St Michael’s Church, Alnwick.
20th June 11 am St Nicholas Cathedral.

All the services are for Children’s Leaders and their families and there will be a sandwich lunch afterwards for everyone.
Sandra Doore can be contacted at Church house by phone on 0191-2704151 or by email s.doore@newcastle.anglican.org