Children’s Special Service Mission CSSM was the name that Scripture Union had for nearly 100 years before it took on the the current name in 1960. The anniversary of SU and the anniversary of my beginning work with SUNZ fall in the same month. Having just completed 16 years with SUNZ I took a moment to reflect on my time with SU and the above quote sums it up – the message we have is timeless, the challenge however is how we communicate it in a relevant way.
CSSM however has another meaning, for some, “Come Single Soon Married.” It was with great joy that I attended the engagement party of Carl and Soana who met through being team members on SUPAkidz camps. It was at this party where I was asked this question, “So what is a normal week for you at Scripture Union?” Well no week is ever the same at SU which is one of the joys of the job. It is never boring. So I thought I might just share the past 6 weeks as a diary.
Thu: Starship Hospital Children's church: 4 older boys. I told the story of Saul's conversion on the Road to Damascus. Managed to hold their attention and engage them in the story. Fast forward 6 weeks to just last night, 6 boys 2 from my previous visit. David and Goliath story. Again managed to hold their attention and then challenged them to a word search before they left. I lost again. As I drove home I thought, “We need more men in children's ministry.”
9 Day Week
Sat & Sun: First Aid course. Now I am qualified to handle almost any accident situation. We even got to practice using a portable defibrillator. Mon to Wed: Fun, food, hard work and planning. It was great to be together as a Children and Families team for three days. We really do work well as a team. It was time for catching up on what has been happening in our various regions and then spending some time planning ahead for next year. It was exciting as we realised how many children and families have been impacted by the work we do with churches. Thu & Fri: We were joined by the national and youth staff for two days of of preparation for what was to be a challenging AGM. We spent time being trained on how to present our financial needs to potential supporters, we looked at the pilot version of our new online events registration system, we “dug” into the Bible and we discussed the progress of the youth review, which was not easy. (This year we have been investigating our schools and camping ministry with youth; conducting a review to search out the best way ahead in today's changing society and secular culture. The process is not easy as we consider what changes may be needed. Please pray for wisdom.) Sat & Sun: At the best of times I don't enjoy AGM's and this one was not easy as all as we attempted to find a way forward as staff and volunteers worked through the youth review document. One of our youth camp directors who is doing her doctorate in youth activism shared some of her findings with regard to youth culture in the 21st century. I found it both challenging and insightful. On Sunday a new governance structure for the movement was voted in which will come into effect from next year's AGM.
Celebration - Launch
Sat Evening of AGM weekend: Helium balloons, stories of life changes and DVD's made the Winter Celebration a great success, enjoyed by over the 100 people. We were inspired with stories of lives changed through camps, entertained by a group of Tongaan young people and challenged about primary schools as the SUPAkidz club promotion DVD was launched. We are praying that this will result in many more children in schools hearing God's Word. If you would like to show this at your church please contact Scripture union or check it out on the SU website.
3 weeks
(Start of a new week) Mon: Meeting with pastor about all age activities in church. Thu: Camps Meeting to plan for the October SUPAkidz Camp. Fri: Auckland Staff Day. With the help of Tim Bulkeley from Carey Baptist College we explored the following, “Emmaus Road: how Jesus & the early disciples understood the Messiah and how we also can learn to read Scripture” Awesome stuff!!!!!! Sun: I lead an All Age service at St James Presbyterian church in Pukekohe. Parents of the church kindi, most of whom don't attend church, came along to watch their children perform two songs. We looked at the greatness of God and his creation using some fun activities like making snow flakes and young sharing with old what they were good at. The positive responses from the parents of the kindi children after the service were very encouraging as I realised that when all ages are together a church service becomes exciting and real.
(A new week) Mon: Bible in schools training in story telling and drama with new teachers. Sun: All Age talk and fun Bible activities with all ages after the service.
(Another week) Sat: WAY2GO focused in Hamilton. Paul, Hilary and I ran a day with 35 children’s ministry leaders from various churches. We each ran two workshops and inspired and challenged them in their work with children and families.
Please pray for the SUPAkidz camps' planning and preparation as we are running two camps in October (Auckland and Invercargill) and two in January (Auckland and Wellington).
Please pray for Mrs Jenkins as she relief teaches my class while I am away., and the team I am part of, as we prepare each week and teach our Bible in Schools classes each Friday morning at Glendowie Primary.
We still have places for campers at our October camp. Please pray for more campers.
Friday 1 to Monday 4 October
SUPAkidz camp leaders training and preparation. Please pray for the new leaders we have on the team. Also pray that experienced leaders will come with new vision and passion for working with the children. Monday 14 to Friday 8 October
Construction Zone SUPAkidz Camp. Please pray for team leaders Ruth and Kelvin as they run camp. Pray for new campers to settle quickly into small groups. Friday 8 to Sunday 17 October
Family holiday in Australia courtesy of free air miles and family time share gift. Pray for good rest and lots of fun.
Saturday 6 November
All age activities training afternoon. (See enclosed flyer.) This is one of my passions. Please pray that not only children's ministry leaders will be a part of this but that church leaders in other ministry areas will attend and be challenged and encouraged in all age ministry. Sunday 7 November
Leading all age service at Papatoetoe Bible Chapel. Please pray that this will be a celebration of all ages together learning about God.
The Boys
Sports
I am a sports monitor at school. I love it because I get to miss bits of school to do it. I also got to lead Thomas' year group around their cross country course. Thomas thought it was really cool having me leading. I also got to represent my school in cross country. I continue to play water polo as the goal keeper. I get to see a lot of action as our team is not very good. Some of the parents have nicknamed Dad the assistant coach as at the end of each chucker (quarter) he comes behind the goal and gives me some pointers, even though he isn't our coach. James 11
Sky Tower
Dad was one of a number of parents that went with us when we went up the Sky Tower. The bus was late picking us up so Dad did a crazy camp song with all the year 3's. We loved it and so did some of the teachers. I can't wait to go to camp with Dad. I have just finished reading “The Beginners Bible” from cover to cover. I started reading it, one night, when I was a little scared going to bed. I really enjoyed reading it all by myself. Chris 8
Paddington
I got the star of the week award in my class and so I got to take Paddington bear home for the weekend. I took him ten pin bowling and to watch Chris play rugby in the rain and mud. We had a wacky hair day (photo above) at school. Chris and I had our hair punked blue. It was, “Way cool!” Thomas 5
SUPAkidz Clubs Promotional DVD
Event
Thank you for being a part of the team that supports the work I do.
Blessings and peace
Scripture Union Auckland
Children and Families Consultant
+64 9 379 9363 x 5 +64 21 073 7363 AndrewR.SUNZ
P O Box 8517, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150, New Zealand
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+64 9 379 9363 x 5 
+64 21 073 7363 
AndrewR.SUNZ
P O Box 8517, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150, New Zealand
