AWA Christmas 2010

"Children, who are on a weekly basis evicted from the ‘main’ church service, are being trained to leave church. Children who are removed from their families in order to be discipled are being denied access to the foremost biblical model of faith sharing and discipleship.” This was one of the quotes that I shared with the 34 people representing 16 churches at the all-age training event. The fact that that many people took the time on a Saturday afternoon to be a part of this was very encouraging for me. We spent some time looking at why we should look at doing things with all ages together. Then we looked at how we can do things with all ages together. Finally they gathered in small groups of four or five and planned Christmas services for all ages together.

It was with my usual excitement that in February this year I accepted the invitation to take the end of year Bible in schools assembly at Windy Ridge Primary. However, some of that excitement died when I heard just weeks before taking the assembly that it would most likely be the last as the school had decided that Bible in Schools was no longer to take place “during school hours.”

Nevertheless, I re-enacted the Christmas story with the help of the students focusing on the fact that God came down from heaven because he loved us and wanted us to know how we could love Him and know who He is. My prayer is that as the children celebrate Christmas with their families they will remember who God is.

I ran an all age service at Papatoetoe Bible Chapel along the theme of the breastplate of righteousness. We had some fun shooting rubber bands and assembling a nerf gun before exploring the Bible together.

Our SUPAkidz camps had a CYF's (Child Youth and Family) audit which we passed with flying colours. This means that we continue to be an approved provider of OSCAR care and access funds from the ministry of Social Development.

I have spent a lot of time planning for 2011. See below for details of some of the exciting things being planned for next year.

Gill has continued to get relief teaching which has meant the juggling has continued. She is looking forward to being on holiday and having time to do fun things with the boys. The last month has been filled with lots of good busyness. We celebrated Gill's birthday with a family dinner, made pancakes for 20 people for our traditional home group pancake breakfast and put up our Christmas tree without breaking any decorations.

Both boys touch rugby sides made it to the finals with Chris' team winning the tournament and James' team (the one I coach) drawing their game.

Check out pictures of what we have been doing at
http://picasaweb.google.com/ramsbottomfamilynz or click on any picture in the newsletter.

I scored my first water polo goal and as I am usually in the goal keep position I was really rapped to score. I also took three catches in a cricket game and continue to love my sport. I have also really liked helping Dad enter the stats for the games onto the website.

James 11

I found a baby bird on the pavement as we walked back from the beach. I named him Alfy [miss spelt Elfy] and we looked after him. He died after 3 days. I was very sad. I still miss Alfy. If you want to know more about him check out his blog at elfythebird.blogspot.com

Chris 8

I threw a ball which dunked my teacher in the dunk tank at our school fair. Dad said I shouldn't be dunking my teacher but I loved it. I have also learnt to whistle and love walking around the house whistling. Dad and I have whistling competitions but end up laughing so much that we can't whistle.

Thomas 5

The Jesus Storybook Bible
tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the centre of the Story, there is a baby, the child upon whom everything would depend. From Noah to Moses to King David, every story whispers his name. Jesus is like the missing piece in a puzzle – the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together.

…..is going to be a big year for New Zealand as well as Scripture Union New Zealand. Please join us, if you can, but if you can't please pray for the below events and activities.

“Bringing lasting value in community through providing nation-wide services for the Rugby Community” www.engagerwc.org (click on the logo) Engage has been set up as the organisation that will co-ordinate the and pull together the church's initiative to serve the Rugby World Cup community while they are in in New Zealand

My parents celebrate 50 years of marriage on 28 January and they are very kindly flying me back to share this special occasion with them. I will be away from 20 January to 6 February. Please pray for Gill and the boys while I am away.