Great meeting with Sheila from PWRDF! We discussed the We Day initiative and implications for our church community! More to come!
PWRDF to have a display table at the CECE Children's Ministry conference Nov 5th!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
response to 'Youth ministry needs to be part of mainstream' article by Judy Steers
I agree with Judy Steers’ comment in the Anglican Journal June 2011 that ‘When it comes to youth ministry, it may be time for the Anglican Church of Canada to wake up and smell the coffee.' Youth ministry may be perceived as an extra in the church community but take heart, it is also addressed in many Ontario schools through the Character Development initiative and supported by the Free the Children/We Day organization (http://weday.freethechildren.com/about/). Although the church may see youth ministry as ‘ a nice thing to do’ We Day inspires youth to make a difference in the world by taking on local and international missions. It becomes a school commitment. This involves a lot of youth – our youth, now learning leadership skills in discipleship through the secular world. Oh sorry, they are not learning about discipleship. They are learning to make a positive difference in their local communities and the world at large - also perceived as a ‘nice ting to do.’ There is no Christ in the We Day mission work – unless we are talking about a Catholic school. This initiative grows out of the school community. It looks as though, thanks to the We Day organization, that this kind of mission work is thriving in the schools. Students who attended the one day event (last year it drew over 20,000 youth to the Air Canada Centre) are encouraged and inspired to a make a difference and learn about leadership skills and given the opportunity to work on a local and/or international project. The impact is considerable. Two years ago at the We Day event, the Honourble David Only, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, spoke at the We Day event and challenged the youth to take back to their faith communities what they were learning. I think it is time that the faith communities, our faith community, became aware and recognized the efforts of the schools and We Day and to help our students see these activities ‘to make a difference in the world’ as discipleship – what we are called to do as followers of Christ.
Steers is correct in saying that ‘churches don’t need to hire professionals to set up and run youth initiatives’ this is already being done. I encourage church youth leaders to take advantage of the existing grassroots connections and networks already out there in the schools our youth attend.
Anglican Youth Ministers have the opportunity to learn more about how We Day re-energizes and inspires our youth. We Day is prepared to offer support to our Youth Ministers to learn more about how they train their leaders in the schools as well as share their many resources (much of which are free). As Steers says we are not alone, ‘there's support, there are people out there doing similar things.’
Steers is correct in saying that ‘churches don’t need to hire professionals to set up and run youth initiatives’ this is already being done. I encourage church youth leaders to take advantage of the existing grassroots connections and networks already out there in the schools our youth attend.
Anglican Youth Ministers have the opportunity to learn more about how We Day re-energizes and inspires our youth. We Day is prepared to offer support to our Youth Ministers to learn more about how they train their leaders in the schools as well as share their many resources (much of which are free). As Steers says we are not alone, ‘there's support, there are people out there doing similar things.’
Sunday, June 12, 2011
characters in education . . .
I met a former colleague on the street today. We talked about our teaching experiences. I was glad to hear him say that the kids today seem better than they were earlier in our careers. They are more motivated and involved in positive things. I was so glad to hear this ...maybe the character development initiative in schools is making a difference for kids - we live in hope!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
TREY ANTHONY August 13, 2011
TREY ANTHONY August 13, 2011
Trey Anthony is a Canadian comedian & playwright known for creating and starring in Da Kink in My Hair, based on her theatre play of the same name.
Koerner Hall
in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
August 13, 2011 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
See Shane Claiborne and get both lectures for $25.00
Shane Claiborne
August 12, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI
MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Trey Anthony is a Canadian comedian & playwright known for creating and starring in Da Kink in My Hair, based on her theatre play of the same name.
Koerner Hall
in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
August 13, 2011 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
See Shane Claiborne and get both lectures for $25.00
Shane Claiborne
August 12, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI
MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Shane Claiborne August 13, 2011
Shane Claiborne writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus.
Trey Anthony appearing . . .
August 13, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Trey Anthony appearing . . .
August 13, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Shane Claiborne August 13, 2011
Shane Claiborne writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus.
Trey Anthony appearing . . .
August 13, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Trey Anthony appearing . . .
August 13, 2011 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm
Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performing Arts
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
FOR TICKETS CONTACT: MELODIE MUI MMUI@UNITED-CHURCH.CA
416.231.7680, EXT. 4142
Friday, June 3, 2011
More news from our friends in the United Church of Canada and upcoming webinar
Friends –
I’m writing to remind you about the second Walking with Children in Faith webinar with Dr. David Jensen on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
This webinar will focus more on the spiritual nurture of parents and grandparents. Some questions Dr. Jensen will respond to include:
1) How is play related to parenting? How is play Christian?
2) As parents work and play with their children, how should parents understand their responsibilities toward their own children in relation to their wider responsibilities in the world? Does parenting ever conflict with our labours for justice in the world?
3) How can parents and grandparents mark changes in their relationships with children?
Participants may register ahead of time, by going to this link: http://blogs.united-church.ca/edge/transforming-ed/webinars/. At the time of the webinar, you will use this link: http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/dj/. To view the webinar, simply sign-in as a Guest, using your own name, and click on “Enter.” There is no need for a password, account, etc. It’s not absolutely necessary to register ahead, but it helps us know who many people to expect.
Some tips for those of you who have not often participated in webinars or have had some technical difficulties in the past:
+ Use a “wired” rather than “wireless” connection
+ Close down other programs on your desktop
+ Use a high speed rather than dial-up connection
+ If this is your first time participating in a webinar, please visit this link before the webinar to ensure your computer is running the necessary version of Flash, and that the Adobe Connect add-on software has been installed:
https://admin.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.
When you are participating in the webinar, you will see some different areas on the screen. Some of these may include:
- Video: this is where the speaker(s) will be shown talking and discussing the topic of the webinar.
- Materials: you may see a PowerPoint presentation, video files, Word documents, or other items here which will be used by the speaker(s).
- Chat: you can type in this area and when you click the “conversation cloud: your comments will be seen by everyone taking part in the webinar. If you have a question in the middle of the presentation and don’t want to forget it, go ahead and type it in and then click the cloud when we begin taking questions.
- Q&A: you can send questions to the speaker(s) or the host of the webinar which will only be seen by them.
- Polls: you can answer polls when they are brought up on the screen, relating to the speaker and their topic.
- Files: download materials, handouts, presentations, and other items relevant to the webinar and topic .
- Attendees: Names of the other people participating in the webinar with you.
Finally, if you would like to watch again or share the webinar with Rebecca Nye, it is available at: http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/p9ig9pb7kta/. I find the recording to be quite clear, so if you have problems viewing or hearing it, it may be due to your available connection or bandwidth.
Looking forward to our time together,
Amy
Amy Crawford
Program Minister Children and Youth
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor Street West, Ste. 300
Toronto , ON M8X 2Y4
416.231.7680 ext. 4186
416.231.3103 (fax)
acrawfor@united-church.ca
www.united-church.ca; http://www.rendez-vous2011.org/
I’m writing to remind you about the second Walking with Children in Faith webinar with Dr. David Jensen on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
This webinar will focus more on the spiritual nurture of parents and grandparents. Some questions Dr. Jensen will respond to include:
1) How is play related to parenting? How is play Christian?
2) As parents work and play with their children, how should parents understand their responsibilities toward their own children in relation to their wider responsibilities in the world? Does parenting ever conflict with our labours for justice in the world?
3) How can parents and grandparents mark changes in their relationships with children?
Participants may register ahead of time, by going to this link: http://blogs.united-church.ca/edge/transforming-ed/webinars/. At the time of the webinar, you will use this link: http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/dj/. To view the webinar, simply sign-in as a Guest, using your own name, and click on “Enter.” There is no need for a password, account, etc. It’s not absolutely necessary to register ahead, but it helps us know who many people to expect.
Some tips for those of you who have not often participated in webinars or have had some technical difficulties in the past:
+ Use a “wired” rather than “wireless” connection
+ Close down other programs on your desktop
+ Use a high speed rather than dial-up connection
+ If this is your first time participating in a webinar, please visit this link before the webinar to ensure your computer is running the necessary version of Flash, and that the Adobe Connect add-on software has been installed:
https://admin.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.
When you are participating in the webinar, you will see some different areas on the screen. Some of these may include:
- Video: this is where the speaker(s) will be shown talking and discussing the topic of the webinar.
- Materials: you may see a PowerPoint presentation, video files, Word documents, or other items here which will be used by the speaker(s).
- Chat: you can type in this area and when you click the “conversation cloud: your comments will be seen by everyone taking part in the webinar. If you have a question in the middle of the presentation and don’t want to forget it, go ahead and type it in and then click the cloud when we begin taking questions.
- Q&A: you can send questions to the speaker(s) or the host of the webinar which will only be seen by them.
- Polls: you can answer polls when they are brought up on the screen, relating to the speaker and their topic.
- Files: download materials, handouts, presentations, and other items relevant to the webinar and topic .
- Attendees: Names of the other people participating in the webinar with you.
Finally, if you would like to watch again or share the webinar with Rebecca Nye, it is available at: http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/p9ig9pb7kta/. I find the recording to be quite clear, so if you have problems viewing or hearing it, it may be due to your available connection or bandwidth.
Looking forward to our time together,
Amy
Amy Crawford
Program Minister Children and Youth
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor Street West, Ste. 300
Toronto , ON M8X 2Y4
416.231.7680 ext. 4186
416.231.3103 (fax)
acrawfor@united-church.ca
www.united-church.ca; http://www.rendez-vous2011.org/
Another Walking with Children in Faith webinar on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
This webinar will focus more on the spiritual nurture of parents and grandparents. Participants may register ahead of time, by going to this link: http://blogs.united-church.ca/edge/transforming-ed/webinars/. At the time of the webinar, use this link to view: http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/dj/. To view the webinar, simply enter as a Guest, use your own name to sign in and click on “Enter.” It’s not absolutely necessary to register ahead, but it helps us know who many people to expect.
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