* The flyer is out for Activate Leaders conference in the first week of the NSW September holidays. There's nothing quite like Activate - 4 days of personal mentoring by top kids ministry professionals. More >> Download the flyer from the Calendar page.
* If you're planning to teach SRE this year there are several helpful new resources on the School Scripture (SRE) page.
* To prepare for teaching Scripture this year, especially if you're a new teacher, there's a handy article to download on the School Scripture (SRE) page to help you get the information you need from the school to start well.
* There's a new article under RESOURCES about participation of kids in making decisions that affect them that's worth thinking about. In general churches lag well behind other community organisations in this area.
* Looking for training events for next year? Check out the CALENDAR page.
* SAVE THE DATE April 14 2012 is an international day of prayer and fasting for kids. One million Christians across the world will be prayer for TWO BILLIONS kids aged 4-14. Put this on your church calendar now and start planning.
* The December e-News is out now. Go to the subscribe tab on the left to download it. If you would like it to be emailed monthly, request it via the CONTACT US page.
* There's a new article under RESOURCES about 'Connecting with Urban Community'. It originally came from the max7 website and is very useful to help churches decide how they want their church to be placed and thought of in their community. Download.
While you're there, check out New Voices for a New World under BOOKS and ARTICLES to INSPIRE and TRANSFORM LEADERS.
* Have you checked the Playtime website recently? There's a lot of new content. www.christianplaytimes.com.
* Our SRE Basic Accreditation course is being run in many regional centres next year. Check under the CALENDAR tab for dates and to download flyers. All SRE teachers from any church are most welcome at each of these events.
* The new SRE Update is out. Download it now from the bottom of the School Scripture (SRE) page.
* If you still haven't arranged a speaker for your Christmas assembly, there's list under the SPEAKERS tab on the left or consider running your own assembly with the message on screen using the DVD Anton's Antics from www.kidzlink.com.au
* The Term 4 SRE Bulletin will be emailed this week with encouraging stories of whats happening in schools. If you don't receive it and would like to, request it via the CONTACT US page.
* The final SRE training for 2011 is at New Vine Baptist (Newcastle) on 2 November and Dubbo Baptist 3 November. See calendar to download brochures.
* Activate Leaders Conference was top quality with a friendly group of kids leaders with varying experience who had an interesting, relaxing time learning heaps from the speakers, loving the chance to see first rate kids ministry up close at the kids camp.
* The brochure is out for Kiah Kids Camps in January and July school holidays. Download
* When you're setting up church calendars for 2012, look at the events under the calendar tab and see which would fit with your ministry. Attending a quality event, retreat or training day that someone else has organised saves you a lot of time and stress. Make sure you mark in Revive 16-18 August.
* Do the White Thing 7 September is White Balloon Day, instigated by Bravehearts with the aim of making Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child by saying NO to sexual assault. www.whiteballoonday.com.au. Let's do what we can to show our support for those who want to keep kids safe.
* Resourced, Refreshed Training is on Saturday 10 September at Canberra Baptist Church 9.30am-3pm with a team of excellent presenters and endorsed by Canberra Children’s Ministry Network http://cmn.org.au/items/sat-10-sep-resourced-refreshed-training/
* A Day in the Park It's on again this year, this time at Wahroonga Park (right by Wahroonga Station) to celebrate Children's Week. Bring your whole playgroup. Cheryl Clendinning who was at the Revive Good Times at Playtime events will be leading singalong times and the Cecil the Lost Sheep mega-book will make another appearance. There's a petting zoo, and lots of activities. More information Download flyer.
* This year as well as the 4 day intensive, Activate has a One Day conference on Saturday 24th September at Stanwell Tops near Wollongong. This would be the a good choice to spend the day with your kids ministry team. The $75 price includes both lunch and dinner so it's a good time out, well worth it. Register at www.thetops.com.au
* If you haven't received the August e-news in your inbox yet, you can download it here. Why not subscribe so it's sent to you each month. Ask for it via the Contact page.
* You can pay for your school SRE materials using tax deductible money. FInd out more.
* Our new Playtime website is live! On it you'll find the latest Playtime news and events and have the chance to add your comments. The PLAYTIME tab now goes direct to christianplaytimes.com.
* The latest Encourager for Playtime leaders is now out. Download it here. or better still contact us to be added to the email list.
* If you're a pastor. kids ministry coordinator or key leader interested in exploring how all ages can worship happily together, Beth Barnett from Baptist Union Victoria will be unpacking this at Epping Ministry Centre on Tuesday 23 August, 9.30am - 12 noon. Phone 98689238 for more information or to RSVP.
* Registrations are open for the Director's Cut camp for kids in years 3 to 5 at The Tops 24-28 September. This runs alongside our Activate leaders conference on exactly the same days, so if you have kids in the age group you could enjoy Activate knowing that your kids are also having an awesome faith-building time. Download Director's Cut flyer. Download Activate flyer.
* If you're wondering about safety in electronic communications with children, the Safe Churches Training Agreement has helpful guidelines. We suggest you go over them with your leaders and junior leaders. Download
* The Playtime Conference on 7 June saw up to 70 leaders from 40 different churches exploring their mission, sharing stories and ideas and leaving refreshed and better equipped to reach out to and nurture the 1200 families they are in relationship with each week. Check out photos and workshop notes http://childrensministry.org.au/2011/06/playtime-conference/
* If you haven't received your July E-News yet, request to go on the list via SUBSCRIBE on the left. Download the July e-news.
* Activate is having a one day conference as well as the 3 day residential conference at Stanwell Tops this year. More information
* Crossover is so keen for Baptist Churches in the NSW and ACT to do the National Church Life Survey this year to get a good overall picture that they’re paying the base registration fee of $200 for churches. Talk to your church leadership and encourage them to get the survey and to include the children’s survey for 8-14 year olds as well. They’re encouraging churches to register in May. Download form for more information and free registration now.
* Flyers are available for the Revive kids events. If you'd like hardcopies posted please contact kidsmin@baptistnsw.asn.au. Download Saturday events flyer. Download Friday GoodTimes at Playtime flyer. More information
* Modules from the Basic Accreditation Course for SRE teachers will be run this term at Temora (4 June) and Mayfield (24 June). All 4 Modules will be run at Eastwood 29/20 July. Download flyers from CALENDAR page.
* For the latest on Revive 2011 and the kids and families events which will happen on Friday 25 August and Saturday 26 August look under the navigation tab at the top.
*NEW Is your church prepared to recognise The Elephant in the Room? Here's a challenging article to share from barnabas.org.uk
* CLAIM THE DATE Saturday 27 August is Revive Children and Families Day. The morning is ministry skills training for 7-14 year olds and the afternoon is for all ages together. Mark your calendar now and think who you'd like to invite to hang out with your family for a day with great activities in the presence of the Living God. Is it grandma, that family on the church fringe that you keep thinking you should get to know better, your kids club leaders or your all ages small group? Cost $10 per individual or family.
* Your children and youth leaders should be working to safe churches guidelines for electronic communications. Download them here.
* Catch up on the latest newsletters for Playtime, SRE and Baptist children and Families ministries by going to the SUBSCRIBE page.
* Everyone in ministry with under 18s needs to have filled out and signed the Volunteer/Student Declaration. Leaders, now is a good time to check the forms on file at the church and make sure you have them for everyone in your kids and youth ministry. (This replaces the old Attachment 4 which are still valid for those who started before June 2010.) Go to www.kids.nsw.gov.au.
* Do you have a spare 10 minutes to help us get a better handle on the way school Scripture is done in NSW? If you teach SRE please complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7ZLQPGM, then take another minute or two to pray for all everyone involved in SRE in your area. Please let other SRE teachers know about the survey. Thanks.
* This year’s Playtime Conference will be on Tuesday 7 June at the Epping Ministry Centre. Special guest speaker will be Mike Frost. Claim the date now and plan to come with another Playtime leader from your church. See more under the Playtime tab at the top. Download Flyer