AWA September 2011

26 August

What is significant about the date above? Well it was the day that our staff conference ended and the Scripture Union SUMMIT weekend began! On this date in 1868 Josiah Spiers stood on the beach in Llandudno Wales and got some children to decorate the text 'God is love' that he had written in the sand. This was the start of many beach missions and was to become Scripture Union. The sketch below shows Spiers at Margate in 1870, along with a photo of him in later life – and alongside I am re-enacting the scene at Eastern Beach as part of our closing interactive SUMMIT service. It was good to be reminded of the rich history of Scripture Union as we look ahead to new challenges as we work with churches in New Zealand.
josiah_spears_beach_andrew2 (126K)

We spent two days together as a national staff team (pictured above including some key volunteers) and then the next two days in departmental staff teams. It was a very busy week as we looked at our vision, did some team building exercises, did some creative art work (pictured below) prayed together and had Tim Bulkeley (lecturer at Carey Baptist College) instruct us and challenge us in how we look at the Bible and explore it. Each evening we did something different including an evening of prayer using creative work stations, Laser Strike, theatre sports and an interactive look at an archaeological dig in Israel. Although it was a long week, the advantage was getting to know staff, whom I see only once a year, much better.
art (197K)

When the six children and families staff were together we evaluated the past year and were greatly encouraged by what we have been able to do with churches. We spent some time planning for the WAY2GO training days in 2012. We also looked at some of the trends that are developing in children and families ministry across the world and in New Zealand. Some of the trends will disappear as trends do, but some will continue to challenge the church and us as we work with churches well into the next decade.

In this issue...

26 August

Kerikeri

Starship and Wainui

Ellerslie

Home

Italy

AB's

Technology

SU NZ links

PDF version

Kerikeri

   I travelled up to Kerikeri with Paul Dadd on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup. No we weren't going to get away from the crowds in Auckland but to run a WAY2GO Focused children's ministry event on the Saturday. We had 28 people turn up from 3 areas of ministry: Bible in Schools, Girls' Brigade and Sunday children's ministry.
   I ran two workshops: storytelling, which was received with its usual enthusiasm, and “Hook into the Book” on getting children excited about the Bible for themselves.
   A Bible in schools teacher asked if it was permissible to pray in a class with a child who wanted to become a Christian, and another shared that this had happened at one school resulting in the whole programme being closed down. Pray for Christians to be wise and respect the secular/pluralist environment in which we live and still to take the opportunity to tell the stories of the bible and let them speak for themselves. way2go_focused_logo1 (10K)

Starship and Wainui

   I continue to love the unique opportunity to open the Bible at the Starship Hospital Children's Church every Thursday evening, although I am there only about once a month. This month was no exception. I was telling the story to a group, which included a 14 year old and a 15 year old boy. The 15 year old tried heckling but I stuck with it and amazingly he did not leave As a result of this, I was able to have a very engaging conversation with the two boys towards the end of the evening.
    I also enjoy being invited to share with large groups of children. I was invited back to share with the Wainui (near Silverdale, North of Auckland) Bible in Schools classes. They have been looking at five different values and the value I chose was good relationships. We considered the Ten Commandments – how God gave them, and how they were given for good relationships with God and each other. I focused on the four commandments that help us to have good relationships with each other.
    I was amazed at how positively the children responded to the “ten rules” given to help us have good relationships with others, and God.

Give Thanks and Praise

For a very productive and inspiring week of staff conference and SUMMIT (AGM).

Please Pray For

A boy who was in my group at Angel Tree – SUPAkidz camp in July who is really struggling with some issues that could get him into a lot of trouble. Pray that what he experiences at the SUPAkidz club he goes to each week will transform him.

Saturday 15 to Monday 17 October
SUPAkidz camp training

Monday 17 to Friday 21 October
team_up_logo

Team Up (years 4 -6 at school)

Creative Craft (girls years 7-8 at school)
Both camps are at Camp Morley on the southern end of the Manukau.

Every Friday 9:10-9:40 am
Bible in Schools year 1 class at Glendowie Primary. Please pray for the team I am part of as we open God's word in our local community each week.

Sunday 30 October – All-Age service St Oswald's. Please pray for the key leaders and me as we plan for the service. Also pray that it will be a wonderful time of sharing and learning together.

Ellerslie

     The Rugby World Cup is certainly dominating the landscape at home. Gill took all the boys plus two friends to see the Australians beat Italy. Gill and the boys have been to a number of other games too, the highlight being Australia being beaten by Ireland.
    Gill has also been very busy as the school where she teaches is having an Ellerslie Flower Show. Each class has done an arrangement around a garden theme. Gill spent a lot of time assembling the parts of sunflowers her children had created.
    They look awesome!

Click on the YouTube logo to watch a video of the boys doing a haka in the rain.

Home

We “lived” at my Gran and Grandpa's house for a week while Mum and Dad cleaned at Fashion Week. I quite liked it but It was good to move back to our home at the end of Fashion Week.

Thomas 6

Italy

Mum took us to watch the Rugby World Cup game of Australia playing Italy. James said we could not support Australia. We sat near some really loud Italian supporters. It didn't take long for me to join their cheerleading crew.

Chris 9

AB's

We have AB (All Black) flags and posters up all over our house. Mum has a flag on her car and Dad has AB wing mirrors. Dad also won an AB's rugby jersey signed by the Tri Nations team. I love rugby and the AB's.

James 12

Thank you for reading this and being a part of the team that supports the work I do.
Blessings and peace

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

Technology

Technology is having an impact on most aspects of our lives, even the way we engage with the Bible. Read this short article and let me know your thoughts.

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