These were some of the ideas I had for the TES creative suggestions competition a few years ago: I won an Arvon writing course, great fun!
Angela Pollard Support and maths teacher Crescent school, Rugby
My ideal targets for every child would be:
* Learn to run a small shop; play with sand and water; go on a jungle gym; cook and bake.
* Go on regular field study visits to different environments - including a residential visit - incorporating science, geography, history, art and craft, including literacy and numeracy skills as needed.
* Create and use a colourful addition to the outdoor environment: paint a wall; paint paving stones; build a rock garden; plant a small piece of garden; create a wildlife area.
* Produce a bound book, written and illustrated with own drawings, favourite pictures and photographs, using computer software and craft techniques. Work with all kinds of art and craft media in workshops. Learn how to draw upside down.
* Receive a card, booklet or simple craft token (eg a heart), containing affirmative statements from every child in the class and every adult with whom the child has contact every year.
* Speak or act before the whole school, commensurate with ability, at least once a term. Attend regular informal meetings to provide the chance to reflect on individual, class and school progress, brainstorming ideas for improvement.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Challenges for the Working Gal
Saturday, 24th January 2009
Challenges for the Working Gal: Survival at home and at work
Life is hectic!
Phew – Christmas is over and done with, and now it’s back to ‘normal’ – whatever normal is. We’re back at work and are busy trying to juggle our lives into a semblance of normality. Time becomes a premium again.
Great that everyone is here this morning. May God bless our time together. I think that just setting this time aside for God is brilliant – we may have felt like not getting up early this morning, not turning out in the cold and rain, but yet God honours our wish to meet together in pursuit of relationship with Him and each other. He honours our sacrifice of time.
Time poor, work rich
It seems to me that challenges for women who work full time outside the home are complex and yet quite simple:
1. To have enough time and energy to maintain relationships with friends, family, with God – whether this be through words, through caring – cooking, cleaning etc, through visiting...through spending time in worship or prayer, in Bible reading or study…
2. To have enough time and energy to nurture ourselves – to replenish reserves whether this be through quiet times on our own (exercising, caring for ourselves, prayer) or being energised through others.
3. To have enough time and energy to be Jesus to our work colleagues – thinking of and supporting them, being ready with a wise or encouraging word. Being prepared to be bold.
How do we balance all this?
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:6
One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work— More spitting into the wind. (The Message)
Psalm 127 verse 2 says:
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
1. Be easy on ourselves
1. Don’t compare ourselves with anyone else. Easy to say, hard not to do. Yet as we come to believe that we are unique, with our gifts and talents, our funny quirks and our hidden strengths – sometimes so hidden we don’t realise they are there until they are tested – we can become more relaxed.
2. Our best IS good enough. Whatever hours there are in the day, if we fill them, work hard, be ourselves in all we do, then that is absolutely fine. We don’t need to beat up on ourselves any more. Michele Guinness (Worth Knowing, wisdom for women, p67 says: “We can probably do two out of three well: church and work, church and children or work and children but the third, which will be different at different phases of our lives, will always be the poor relation.”
3. Enjoy what we are doing. That might seem obvious, but how often do we fall into ‘grumble mode’? I had an email recently, which said: Be thankful! Then followed a long list of irritants to be thankful for, including being thankful for clothes that are too tight because it means that we have enough to eat, and being thankful for a lawn that needs mowing or a floor that needs cleaning because it means that we have a home to live in!
2. Keep the right perspective
4. Take time to keep our priorities right and the demands on us in perspective. Just as Martin Luther prayed longer when he knew he had a busy day, so we need to take a step back and look at the demands we face. Review what we are doing: do we really need to do it now? At all?
5. We’re planned for a purpose, as Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life) might say. That applies just as much to our work and our role in the workplace. We are not at work to earn money, develop our talents or even to feel good about ourselves, though all those things are excellent and useful. We are at work, in that particular place, because God has put us there for His purposes. Romans 8:28 says for all things work to good for those who love the Lord.
We may have worked somewhere for years just to be there for a particular person at a particular time. Keep our eyes open: the needs are many and there may be just one person who, at a nudge from God, needs our love and care, or our witness or service. We may be like Esther, put into her position ‘for such a time as this’. We don’t’ know. Just believe that your work matters hugely to God because YOU ARE THERE.
6. That is not to say that we need to stay somewhere for ever. Jobs and roles change and we need to be open to God’s prompting to move on. It’s useful to review our purpose periodically: we are at the beginning of a new year, which is always a useful place to start. As a teacher, I often find myself doing that in September at the start of the new academic year. Maybe ask yourself what you’d like to be doing this time next year; or what you could achieve this year. Admit your secret desires to God.
Psalm 37:3-5 (New International Version)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
So how can we achieve a good work/life balance?
Make sure we have time for God. When we take sufficient time to rest and pray, the Lord renews, gives insight, and energizes us to accomplish twice as much when we jump back into the job at hand.
Approach the ‘must do’ chores with a good attitude: cooking, shopping, cleaning, washing, fetching, carrying, filing, telephoning, writing, preparing… whatever we do, imagine we are doing it for Jesus. This doesn’t always work, but it often helps lighten the load.
Don’t over commit ourselves. I venture to suggest that no one should be involved in more than one ministry at church. Remember: if you do it, you are depriving someone else of becoming involved. And if you are the only one who can get something done, maybe that thing doesn’t need to be done at all? Which leads me on to…
Let go of responsibilities when we have to. We can’t always achieve what we want. An old Swedish proverb says: ‘better a little dirt in the corners than a clean hell’. Don’t wear ourselves out. Give someone else the chance to do things. That applies in all spheres of life: at work, at home, in our social groups or activities.
Forgive ourselves when we can’t get everything done. At the end of the day (and I mean at the end of every day!) realise that we can only do our best. In the last few minutes before you sleep, review the day. Did you use the time wisely? If you did, you can do no more. If you didn’t, ask God’s forgiveness for wasting time or being lazy, and ask His help not to do that again. And remember: sitting down with your feet up and a cup of tea for 10 minutes when you first get home from work is not laziness – it is completing your last work assignment of the day: transforming yourself back into a human being!
Questions to think about:
What time of day is best to give to God? First thing, before everyone is up? Last thing at night? In a lunchbreak? What works for you?
Which tasks most trigger your grumble mode? Identifying them could help you deal with this – how could you transform them into a praise opportunity: sandwich them in before something you enjoy; remember to actively give them to God?
Review your commitments. Which are non-essential? Which come into the category of ‘I quite like doing this but realise I don’t really have to’? Which are activities where you feel fulfilled and energised?
Which regular commitments can you opt out of so that you don’t become overtired? Are these seasonal? Could you put a time limit on them?
How are you feeling about your work and home life? What do you need to do now?
Challenges for the Working Gal: Being a witness, making disciples
Time is sufficient; but opportunities are lost
If we give ourselves enough time, we can be open to the challenges that God has for us. I don’t know about you, but I find it horrifyingly easy to divide myself into several different people depending on where I am, and often, they don’t resemble each other.
Let me give you an example. At church, I can be a listening ear, a smiling face, an enthusiastic worshipper. At home, when I’m tired at the end of the day, my ears are far from listening and my mouth is far too ready to talk. At other times, my church and home personalities overlap as I am equally ready to pray in either situation – but not at work, even when scenarios are uncannily similar. I’ll pray for a Christian friend or family member who is struggling with a difficult relationship; I won’t, usually, for a colleague – although, when I have occasionally done so, it has been well received.
There are people we know who stay the same wherever they are. How can we do that too?
Here are some suggestions for bringing your church or home person to work.
Be yourself
Treat your colleagues as you want to be treated
Take a few minutes to read some words from the Bible in your lunch break. Refocusing will help close the gap.
Pray on your way to work; at work; before a meeting.
Take risks. Those who don’t ask don’t get. This applies to building relationships, offering prayer, sharing words of encouragement. It’s scary – but not as scary as the thought that Jesus will one day ask you why you didn’t share your treasure with others!
Challenges for the Working Gal: Survival at home and at work
Life is hectic!
Phew – Christmas is over and done with, and now it’s back to ‘normal’ – whatever normal is. We’re back at work and are busy trying to juggle our lives into a semblance of normality. Time becomes a premium again.
Great that everyone is here this morning. May God bless our time together. I think that just setting this time aside for God is brilliant – we may have felt like not getting up early this morning, not turning out in the cold and rain, but yet God honours our wish to meet together in pursuit of relationship with Him and each other. He honours our sacrifice of time.
Time poor, work rich
It seems to me that challenges for women who work full time outside the home are complex and yet quite simple:
1. To have enough time and energy to maintain relationships with friends, family, with God – whether this be through words, through caring – cooking, cleaning etc, through visiting...through spending time in worship or prayer, in Bible reading or study…
2. To have enough time and energy to nurture ourselves – to replenish reserves whether this be through quiet times on our own (exercising, caring for ourselves, prayer) or being energised through others.
3. To have enough time and energy to be Jesus to our work colleagues – thinking of and supporting them, being ready with a wise or encouraging word. Being prepared to be bold.
How do we balance all this?
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:6
One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work— More spitting into the wind. (The Message)
Psalm 127 verse 2 says:
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
1. Be easy on ourselves
1. Don’t compare ourselves with anyone else. Easy to say, hard not to do. Yet as we come to believe that we are unique, with our gifts and talents, our funny quirks and our hidden strengths – sometimes so hidden we don’t realise they are there until they are tested – we can become more relaxed.
2. Our best IS good enough. Whatever hours there are in the day, if we fill them, work hard, be ourselves in all we do, then that is absolutely fine. We don’t need to beat up on ourselves any more. Michele Guinness (Worth Knowing, wisdom for women, p67 says: “We can probably do two out of three well: church and work, church and children or work and children but the third, which will be different at different phases of our lives, will always be the poor relation.”
3. Enjoy what we are doing. That might seem obvious, but how often do we fall into ‘grumble mode’? I had an email recently, which said: Be thankful! Then followed a long list of irritants to be thankful for, including being thankful for clothes that are too tight because it means that we have enough to eat, and being thankful for a lawn that needs mowing or a floor that needs cleaning because it means that we have a home to live in!
2. Keep the right perspective
4. Take time to keep our priorities right and the demands on us in perspective. Just as Martin Luther prayed longer when he knew he had a busy day, so we need to take a step back and look at the demands we face. Review what we are doing: do we really need to do it now? At all?
5. We’re planned for a purpose, as Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life) might say. That applies just as much to our work and our role in the workplace. We are not at work to earn money, develop our talents or even to feel good about ourselves, though all those things are excellent and useful. We are at work, in that particular place, because God has put us there for His purposes. Romans 8:28 says for all things work to good for those who love the Lord.
We may have worked somewhere for years just to be there for a particular person at a particular time. Keep our eyes open: the needs are many and there may be just one person who, at a nudge from God, needs our love and care, or our witness or service. We may be like Esther, put into her position ‘for such a time as this’. We don’t’ know. Just believe that your work matters hugely to God because YOU ARE THERE.
6. That is not to say that we need to stay somewhere for ever. Jobs and roles change and we need to be open to God’s prompting to move on. It’s useful to review our purpose periodically: we are at the beginning of a new year, which is always a useful place to start. As a teacher, I often find myself doing that in September at the start of the new academic year. Maybe ask yourself what you’d like to be doing this time next year; or what you could achieve this year. Admit your secret desires to God.
Psalm 37:3-5 (New International Version)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
So how can we achieve a good work/life balance?
Make sure we have time for God. When we take sufficient time to rest and pray, the Lord renews, gives insight, and energizes us to accomplish twice as much when we jump back into the job at hand.
Approach the ‘must do’ chores with a good attitude: cooking, shopping, cleaning, washing, fetching, carrying, filing, telephoning, writing, preparing… whatever we do, imagine we are doing it for Jesus. This doesn’t always work, but it often helps lighten the load.
Don’t over commit ourselves. I venture to suggest that no one should be involved in more than one ministry at church. Remember: if you do it, you are depriving someone else of becoming involved. And if you are the only one who can get something done, maybe that thing doesn’t need to be done at all? Which leads me on to…
Let go of responsibilities when we have to. We can’t always achieve what we want. An old Swedish proverb says: ‘better a little dirt in the corners than a clean hell’. Don’t wear ourselves out. Give someone else the chance to do things. That applies in all spheres of life: at work, at home, in our social groups or activities.
Forgive ourselves when we can’t get everything done. At the end of the day (and I mean at the end of every day!) realise that we can only do our best. In the last few minutes before you sleep, review the day. Did you use the time wisely? If you did, you can do no more. If you didn’t, ask God’s forgiveness for wasting time or being lazy, and ask His help not to do that again. And remember: sitting down with your feet up and a cup of tea for 10 minutes when you first get home from work is not laziness – it is completing your last work assignment of the day: transforming yourself back into a human being!
Questions to think about:
What time of day is best to give to God? First thing, before everyone is up? Last thing at night? In a lunchbreak? What works for you?
Which tasks most trigger your grumble mode? Identifying them could help you deal with this – how could you transform them into a praise opportunity: sandwich them in before something you enjoy; remember to actively give them to God?
Review your commitments. Which are non-essential? Which come into the category of ‘I quite like doing this but realise I don’t really have to’? Which are activities where you feel fulfilled and energised?
Which regular commitments can you opt out of so that you don’t become overtired? Are these seasonal? Could you put a time limit on them?
How are you feeling about your work and home life? What do you need to do now?
Challenges for the Working Gal: Being a witness, making disciples
Time is sufficient; but opportunities are lost
If we give ourselves enough time, we can be open to the challenges that God has for us. I don’t know about you, but I find it horrifyingly easy to divide myself into several different people depending on where I am, and often, they don’t resemble each other.
Let me give you an example. At church, I can be a listening ear, a smiling face, an enthusiastic worshipper. At home, when I’m tired at the end of the day, my ears are far from listening and my mouth is far too ready to talk. At other times, my church and home personalities overlap as I am equally ready to pray in either situation – but not at work, even when scenarios are uncannily similar. I’ll pray for a Christian friend or family member who is struggling with a difficult relationship; I won’t, usually, for a colleague – although, when I have occasionally done so, it has been well received.
There are people we know who stay the same wherever they are. How can we do that too?
Here are some suggestions for bringing your church or home person to work.
Be yourself
Treat your colleagues as you want to be treated
Take a few minutes to read some words from the Bible in your lunch break. Refocusing will help close the gap.
Pray on your way to work; at work; before a meeting.
Take risks. Those who don’t ask don’t get. This applies to building relationships, offering prayer, sharing words of encouragement. It’s scary – but not as scary as the thought that Jesus will one day ask you why you didn’t share your treasure with others!
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
PRAY FOR THE FUTURE
Psalm 20 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
Proverbs 16
1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Draw round your hand on paper and cut out. Pray about this coming year: perhaps you could use each finger as a focus for a separate area for prayer: our world, our community, our church, our families, ourselves.
PRAY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Galatians 6:9-10 (New International Version)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ephesians 2:18-20 (New International Version)
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Wherever we come from and however we are, we are all joined together: write each name of those God has put on your heart on a strip of paper, then link them together into a paper chain.
THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS IN THE PAST AND PRAY FOR THE FUTURE.
1 Chronicles 4:10 (New International Version)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Looking back, think about how God has blessed you, thanking him as you do so. Then ask God to continue to bless you. Be specific: ask Him…
to bless you materially, providing for your needs;
to bless you physically, for good health; fitness; healing from ailments or other troubles;
to bless you emotionally, giving you joy this year even if/when sadness comes;
to bless you spiritually, drawing you close to him and revealing more of himself through his holy spirit.
Try any combination of these suggestions: draw, doodle, write or create a small collage as you pray, to take away as a reminder.
PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
As we look to the future, let us also look back, reflecting on God’s goodness to us. Think also about things we have done wrong, or good things we have not done , and ask for his forgiveness. Imagine you are kneeling in front of God’s throne. Blow bubbles to represent your sins and let them drift towards the throne. Imagine that as the bubbles approach, Jesus leaps up from beside God and gleefully bursts the bubbles: YOUR SINS HAVE VANISHED!
Psalm 20 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
Proverbs 16
1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Draw round your hand on paper and cut out. Pray about this coming year: perhaps you could use each finger as a focus for a separate area for prayer: our world, our community, our church, our families, ourselves.
PRAY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Galatians 6:9-10 (New International Version)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ephesians 2:18-20 (New International Version)
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Wherever we come from and however we are, we are all joined together: write each name of those God has put on your heart on a strip of paper, then link them together into a paper chain.
THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS IN THE PAST AND PRAY FOR THE FUTURE.
1 Chronicles 4:10 (New International Version)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Looking back, think about how God has blessed you, thanking him as you do so. Then ask God to continue to bless you. Be specific: ask Him…
to bless you materially, providing for your needs;
to bless you physically, for good health; fitness; healing from ailments or other troubles;
to bless you emotionally, giving you joy this year even if/when sadness comes;
to bless you spiritually, drawing you close to him and revealing more of himself through his holy spirit.
Try any combination of these suggestions: draw, doodle, write or create a small collage as you pray, to take away as a reminder.
PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
As we look to the future, let us also look back, reflecting on God’s goodness to us. Think also about things we have done wrong, or good things we have not done , and ask for his forgiveness. Imagine you are kneeling in front of God’s throne. Blow bubbles to represent your sins and let them drift towards the throne. Imagine that as the bubbles approach, Jesus leaps up from beside God and gleefully bursts the bubbles: YOUR SINS HAVE VANISHED!
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Contemplative prayer activities
PRAISE PARTY PRAYER ACTIVITIES
Praise and worship God.
Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on a 'tree'
Need: Wool, ready tied for plaiting. Advent ‘tree’ of twigs stuck into plaster in flowerpot/vase.
Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff
Winding wool around a cross
Need: prepared twig crosses and wool
Community
Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, 'plant' on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.
Need: printed Guernsey flags, flag sized pieces of paper, cocktail sticks, oasis.
Friends and Family
Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families
Need: cut outs of paper dolls, pens, pencils
People in any kind of need
Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.
Need: paper ‘lilies’, pencils, bowls.
Children
Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.
Need: balloons, small squares of paper, pens, small lengths of wool to hang balloon by, wool strung across room somehow
Pray for yourself
Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.
Need: paper, pens, scissors, giant green foam hand mounted on a kitchen roll holder or similar.
Healing
Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Need: yellow, orange and red paper and fabric scraps, paper strips, stapler
INSTRUCTIONS
Praise and worship God.
Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on the 'tree'.
Psalm 66
1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man's behalf!
8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff
Wind the wool around the cross. Pray for all those who work in church, for God’s support and guidance.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
1 Corinthians 12 :12 - 31
Community
Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, then 'plant' it on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18 - 20
Healing
Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew 14:35 - 36
Friends and Family
Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families and friends.
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
People in any kind of need
Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.
Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Children
Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
Mark 10:13 - 16
Spiritual Journey
Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.
Psalm 119:2,10 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 24
Pray for yourself
Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians’ 12:4 - 10
Spiritual Journey
Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.
Need: pebbles
Praise and worship God.
Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on a 'tree'
Need: Wool, ready tied for plaiting. Advent ‘tree’ of twigs stuck into plaster in flowerpot/vase.
Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff
Winding wool around a cross
Need: prepared twig crosses and wool
Community
Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, 'plant' on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.
Need: printed Guernsey flags, flag sized pieces of paper, cocktail sticks, oasis.
Friends and Family
Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families
Need: cut outs of paper dolls, pens, pencils
People in any kind of need
Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.
Need: paper ‘lilies’, pencils, bowls.
Children
Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.
Need: balloons, small squares of paper, pens, small lengths of wool to hang balloon by, wool strung across room somehow
Pray for yourself
Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.
Need: paper, pens, scissors, giant green foam hand mounted on a kitchen roll holder or similar.
Healing
Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Need: yellow, orange and red paper and fabric scraps, paper strips, stapler
INSTRUCTIONS
Praise and worship God.
Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on the 'tree'.
Psalm 66
1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man's behalf!
8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff
Wind the wool around the cross. Pray for all those who work in church, for God’s support and guidance.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
1 Corinthians 12 :12 - 31
Community
Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, then 'plant' it on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18 - 20
Healing
Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew 14:35 - 36
Friends and Family
Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families and friends.
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
People in any kind of need
Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.
Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Children
Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
Mark 10:13 - 16
Spiritual Journey
Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.
Psalm 119:2,10 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 24
Pray for yourself
Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians’ 12:4 - 10
Spiritual Journey
Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.
Need: pebbles
Praise and Power (Cleaning) Party
PRAISE AND POWER PARTY, SATURDAY APRIL 26TH, 9 – 11
From 9 – 10.30 (approximately) we will be busy cleaning the church: wiping surfaces, moving chairs and polishing the floor.
From 10.30 we can move into the Centre for the prayer activities: these will be set out in different rooms, so feel free to wander around and take part in any of them.
10.45: Coffee and cake!
Please bring if you can:
A bucket
A couple of cleaning cloths.
All purpose cleaner
Rubber gloves (optional)
Hand cream (even more optional)
WELCOME SHEET
Welcome! Please sign on the sheet which particular area you would like to clean!
Most surfaces need wiping with a damp cloth which has been rinsed and wrung out in a solution of flash/all purpose cleaner. Water can be obtained from the washbasin in the toilets or the small sink on the balcony.
The prayer activities are set out in various rooms in the centre. Please feel free to go and take part in any of the prayer activities at any time, either during cleaning or if you need a break! Otherwise, we will all, hopefully, stop by 10.30 to pray individually or in groups
MAIN CHURCH
Main Church seating area polish seats left
Main Church seating area polish seats centre left
Main Church seating area polish seats centre right
Main Church seating area polish seats right
Font area (back of church)
Organ area
Worship Group area
Chancel area
Window ledges
Toilets/lobby outside/hallway
Vestry
Boiler Room/Alleyway
Narthex
Area by the bell rope/cleaning cupboard/hallway
Stairs/Balustrades
Flagstones as you come in
BALCONY
Balcony Floor
Balcony Temporary kitchen area
Balcony Window ledges
Balcony Seats
Balcony Pews
Balcony: organ speakers (need careful and very thorough dusting)
FLOOR POLISHING: IT IS PROBABLY BEST TO MOVE AND STACK CHAIRS BEFORE STARTING TO LEAVE AS LARGE AN AREA AS POSSIBLE. THEN MOVE CHAIRS FROM ONE AREA TO THE NEXT AS EACH IS FINISHED
Main Church seating area floor left
Main Church seating area floor centre left
Main Church seating area floor centre right
Main Church seating area floor centre right
Font area (back of church)
Organ area
Worship Group area
Back of church seating area
From 9 – 10.30 (approximately) we will be busy cleaning the church: wiping surfaces, moving chairs and polishing the floor.
From 10.30 we can move into the Centre for the prayer activities: these will be set out in different rooms, so feel free to wander around and take part in any of them.
10.45: Coffee and cake!
Please bring if you can:
A bucket
A couple of cleaning cloths.
All purpose cleaner
Rubber gloves (optional)
Hand cream (even more optional)
WELCOME SHEET
Welcome! Please sign on the sheet which particular area you would like to clean!
Most surfaces need wiping with a damp cloth which has been rinsed and wrung out in a solution of flash/all purpose cleaner. Water can be obtained from the washbasin in the toilets or the small sink on the balcony.
The prayer activities are set out in various rooms in the centre. Please feel free to go and take part in any of the prayer activities at any time, either during cleaning or if you need a break! Otherwise, we will all, hopefully, stop by 10.30 to pray individually or in groups
MAIN CHURCH
Main Church seating area polish seats left
Main Church seating area polish seats centre left
Main Church seating area polish seats centre right
Main Church seating area polish seats right
Font area (back of church)
Organ area
Worship Group area
Chancel area
Window ledges
Toilets/lobby outside/hallway
Vestry
Boiler Room/Alleyway
Narthex
Area by the bell rope/cleaning cupboard/hallway
Stairs/Balustrades
Flagstones as you come in
BALCONY
Balcony Floor
Balcony Temporary kitchen area
Balcony Window ledges
Balcony Seats
Balcony Pews
Balcony: organ speakers (need careful and very thorough dusting)
FLOOR POLISHING: IT IS PROBABLY BEST TO MOVE AND STACK CHAIRS BEFORE STARTING TO LEAVE AS LARGE AN AREA AS POSSIBLE. THEN MOVE CHAIRS FROM ONE AREA TO THE NEXT AS EACH IS FINISHED
Main Church seating area floor left
Main Church seating area floor centre left
Main Church seating area floor centre right
Main Church seating area floor centre right
Font area (back of church)
Organ area
Worship Group area
Back of church seating area
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