Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

This Sunday's Gospel is about God's provision for creation- the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, and us.  Here's a printable colouring sheet to download and colour in, inspired by the passage.  Click here to download:  Link this to the activity here for more exploration of the text.

This is a striking way to think about God being with us in our worry and whatever we are facing in life and is a useful activity if you are looking at 'do not be afraid' passages or the 'do not worry' passage in Matthew 6. Here is a short video (1 minute 20 seconds) to show you the simple art activity: For those who prefer written instructions: You will need : small pieces of paper (I used A7 size), wax crayons, watercolour paints, paint brush, water. Cover the whole of the paper with wax crayon. Screw the paper up tight and then unscrew it and flatten it out. Paint over the wax with a contrasting colour of watercolour paint. The paint will get into the creases you created when screwing up the paper. Let the paint dry and it will become more pronounced. Scrunching up the paper is symbolic of the feeling of worry and anxiety we often get inside us. Filling the creases with paint is symbolic of God being with us in those worries. Talk about How does worry make you feel? ...

Across the world we are seeing violence, war and unrest and it is understandable that children will have questions about what they see and feel. Giving the opportunity to discuss and explore questions and prayers for peace is important and this is a resource to help in a hands on way. While using the play dough, children will have space to think and talk if that is what they would like to do. To print out the play dough mat, click here. Cover with a plastic sheet protector for multiple uses and give children space to explore. Talk about: what is peace? what is a 'peacemaker'? How would you recognise a peacemaker? What could you do to be a peacemaker? Where in the world will you pray for?  

This is a fun scientific activity to explore the theme of hidden things being revealed that is a key to the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. You will need: A sheet of red cellophane, red colouring pencils, blue or green pencils, white paper Here is a video of what you need to do: On Paul's journey to Damascus he encounters Jesus in a way that transforms him.  Even though he is temporarily struck blind, Saul/Paul's eyes are opened to who Jesus really is. Write words about or draw a picture of Jesus with your non-red pencil and then hide it with red squiggles. Use the red cellophane to reveal the hidden words! The red cellophane acts as filter for the red light so only the non-red words or pictures will be seen.

 This Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, so here's some resources to help if you're doing that too! Baptism of Jesus Story Video Baptism of Jesus Spinners Story Cards Colouring Play dough mat Take home activity

In the joy of Christmas it often feels like bursting a bubble to remember Herod's slaughter of the children but, sometimes, it's fitting to acknowledge the difficult and uncomfortable parts of the Bible. This year, we used the opportunity to think about those people across the world who are suffering and in despair, and to stand alongside them in their tears, even as we were still in the midst of celebrating Christmas. Obviously this is a subject that needs to be handled sensitively and with knowledge of individual life situations if at all possible. As part of an all age service we spoke about loss and sorrow and sometimes having to ask where God is in a situation. We also remembered that Jesus, the hope and light of the world was not extinguished, even in this despair. As a craft activity we invited people to make teardrop sun catchers from tissue paper and sticky back plastic. Our prayers focussed on those people and places we knew who were suffering, with each person adding...