Church and Society Commission launches leaflet on spiritual care in dementia
The Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission launched a leaflet on the spiritual care of people living with dementia at the Church of Ireland General Synod, in Limerick, on Thursday, 4th May. The leaflet is also available online at https://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/435/spiritual-care-in-dementia
Speaking of the launch, the Revd Adrian Dorrian said: “Dementia continues to be an issue that impacts our Churches at every level. This leaflet provides some useful information for pastors, church visitors and family members. It’s also a very real sign of the Covenant between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church. We are very grateful for permission to reproduce this material.”
Discussion Paper – Rural Isolation
The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has published discussion papers on organ donation and rural isolation to inform members of the Church as they consider both issues. The Commission commends the papers for study and discussion in parishes across the island.
The paper on organ donation summarises statements made by the Church and its central committees on donation and consent for donation (including presumed consent) in recent years. This includes the General Synod’s endorsement for thefleshandblood campaign, which encourages organ donation as an act of Christian giving, and links to information on becoming an organ donor.
The rural isolation paper outlines some of the factors contributing to increasing levels of isolation in rural Ireland, which may be experienced by couples and families as well as individuals. It also includes links to advice and resources on improving mental health and reducing financial stress.
Both discussion papers will form part of a series which will cover a number of important current policy issues from a Christian perspective.
Discussion Paper – Organ Donation and Consent
The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has published discussion papers on organ donation and rural isolation to inform members of the Church as they consider both issues. The Commission commends the papers for study and discussion in parishes across the island.
The paper on organ donation summarises statements made by the Church and its central committees on donation and consent for donation (including presumed consent) in recent years. This includes the General Synod’s endorsement for thefleshandblood campaign, which encourages organ donation as an act of Christian giving, and links to information on becoming an organ donor.
The rural isolation paper outlines some of the factors contributing to increasing levels of isolation in rural Ireland, which may be experienced by couples and families as well as individuals. It also includes links to advice and resources on improving mental health and reducing financial stress.
Both discussion papers will form part of a series which will cover a number of important current policy issues from a Christian perspective.
Childrens Ministry Advent Newsletter 2015
Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. It is a time of hope even in the darkness. It is a time of knowing that Jesus the Light of the world has come and has brought light to all of us. At this time of the year we remember that we are called to be light and hope to others in dark times. When people are waiting in darkness – maybe they are waiting for test results from hospital or are worried because they have lost their job or are fleeing war or are lonely and are not excited about Christmas because they don’t have anyone to celebrate with – Jesus calls us. Just as He is the Light of the world, bringing hope and joy and welcome to the majestic magi and the lowly shepherds, we also bring that Light to others at this time. Here are some ideas for including children in this time of waiting, hope, welcome and light this season.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY RESOURCES FOR CHRISTMAS
ADVENT ECHO STORY:
This is a great story for children under 7. The leader reads the phrases and the children provide actions and sounds.
Joseph & Mary went on a lo…o…o…ng trip (walk on the spot)
They went to Bethlehem to be counted in a census (count from one to five)
There was no room in the inn. (shake heads – ‘no’)
So they stayed in a stable. That night when all was quiet (shhhhhh), a baby boy was born to Mary (cradle arms)
Mary rocked the baby (rock cradled arms from side to side)
As she sang a lullaby (hum lullaby)
Out in the field there were shepherds
They watched over their sheep (baa baa)
An angel came to them (arms partially raised as if wings)
There was a bright light (shelter eyes)
The shepherds were afraid (look afraid, bite nails)
The angel said ‘Do not be afraid’ (shake head)
‘Be Happy’ (smile and in joyful voices say ‘be happy’)
Today Jesus is born in Bethlehem. He is the Lord. Go and look for him (point)
He is lying in a manger. Suddenly many angels sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest’.
Peace on Earth, Good will to all people. The angels were gone (look all around)
The shepherds went to Bethlehem to look for Jesus (walk on the spot)
They walked fast (increase pace)
They found Mary (point) and Joseph (point) and the baby in the stable (point)
They were happy to see baby Jesus (clapping)
JESSE TREE
For Advent why not try a Jesse Tree – everything led up to Jesus! Find out about it by clicking on the hyperlink below where you can download symbols for colouring in.
http://healthy-family.org/free-jesse-tree-advent-patterns/4/#jessetree
Websites with Children’s Songs
Here are some websites where you can find children’s songs.
(Action Songs, Animal Songs, Christian Songs, Christmas Songs, Easter Songs, etc.)
(List of songs, hear them sung, actions to the songs. Can download the music and buy from the site.)
(Great music for children that wont drive parents bonkers!)
www.church-of-christ.org/shrock/songs.htm
(List of children’s songs: ‘Arky, Arky’, ‘I’m in the Lord’s Army’, ‘Jesus Loves Me’, ‘I’m Happy Today’, ‘Jesus is the Name-O’, ‘This little light of mine’, ‘Jesus loves the little children’, ‘I’ve got the joy down in my heart’.)
Plenty of songs to choose from based on the Bible. Listen to samples and download via iTunes.)
www.duggiedugdug.org – Doug Horley
(Straight to Duggie’s website with music and books to buy. Also shows other music from other artists too.)
www.fischy.com – Stephen Fischbacher
(Fischy Music supports emotional, social and spiritual health and wellbeing in children through songs. Primarily work with schools and churches.)
(Music for all ages from pre-school up.)
www.springharvest.org/digisongbook
(A new resource for churches and worship leaders on CD. A feature-packed digital songbook and printed music book, with scores to 100 new songs, including 22 scores from the ‘Fresh: New Songs for the Church’ CD.)
www.ishmael.org.uk/home.php – Ian Smale
(Loads of children’s songs – wrote ‘Father God I Wonder’)
www.vineyardmusic.com – Kids Vineyard Worship
Great Big God 1, 2 & 3, Great Big for pre-schoolers and Backing tracks)
Childrens Songs
Click on images to download videos (.wmv format)
Faith as small as a mustard seed
God you’re good to me
Great big God
I’m gonna jump
If I were a butterfly
One Way
101+ Mission Ideas
101+ IDEAS FOR CHURCHES TO ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY
This short resource is a collection of ideas to help churches think about different ways to engage with the community. However ideas are not solutions, they are only tools and are only good in the hands of the right people. Ideas are the ‘what’ we do to engage but it is much more important for us to consider ‘how’ we engage as ambassadors of Christ…