SUNZ Adventure Magazine February 2016

ISSN 1176-5143

ADVENTURE GOE 2 Y A W AZIN

FEBRUARY 2016

G MA SIDE IN

WHAT SORT OF FAITH ARE WE FORMING? The intentional, faith-based interactions we have with children right now are crucial to their life-long relationship with God

INSIDE HOW ARE WE GOING WITH FAITH FORMATION IN NZ?

THE SPACE BETWEEN

STEPPING BACK ACROSS THE GAP

editorial In recent months our family has undergone a few changes: both daughters have gained their driving licences and then moved to different cities to pursue study. Life events and the festivals we celebrate not only fill photograph albums and mark milestones, but also play an important part in forming faith. The different seasons of life provide opportunities to explore how our faith helps us to make sense of life. And as we grow and develop into more mature human beings, how we view life and understand our faith grows and changes.

In our earliest years what is real and what is fantasy may be mixed together. We’ve all witnessed children immersed in the absorbing world of make-believe play — the innocence is enchanting. During this stage children’s most basic ideas about God are usually picked up from parents and/or society. As we move into our school years we look at the world in more logical ways. Stories told to us by our faith community are understood in literal ways.

When we get a little older we construct an allencompassing belief system to make sense of the diverging social circles we encounter.

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And so there is a challenge for all of us who seek to nurture the faith of young people.

How can we be truthful and present faith as real in ways that are appropriate at life stages? The Victorians viewed childhood as something distinct and separate to adult life.

As a consequence stories and life events would be simplified and ‘cleaned up’ to make them more acceptable. But is that the most helpful thing to do? This edition of the Adventure takes a look at how important it is to engage with children in their interests and help them discover ways to trust God’s character and experience his family. Continue reading and explore how important building an ageappropriate foundation of faith is for a lifelong faith journey.

WAYNE FRASER National Director

contents Features 4

WHAT SORT OF FAITH ARE WE FORMING?

10

HOW ARE WE GOING WITH FAITH FORMATION IN NEW ZEALAND?

12

Hilary Hague

Annette Osborne

THE SPACE BETWEEN

Hilary Hague

Interviews 8

Q&A

14

STEPPING BACK ACROSS THE GAP

Friends of SUNZ Raewyn Rowney

Updates 24

LIGHT FOR THE PATH

26

OUT AND ABOUT FEBRUARY

Nigel Winder

Children’s Ministry 15

WAY2GO MAGAZINE

Resources 28

RESOURCES FOR LIFE

*These photos were taken on our 2015 SUPAkidz Camps February 2016 3

WHAT SORT OF FAITH

Are We forminG? The intentional, faith-based interactions we have with children right now are crucial to their life-long relationship with God

BY HILARY HAGUE S U C h i l d re n and Fam ilie s M inistr y L e ad er

Something very significant will be happening in our children. Faith formation will be happening.

I live in Wellington and every time a visitor comes to stay with us, we ask them what they would like to do. Almost without fail, they say the same thing: “Take us to Te Papa”.

That means I’ve been there a lot of times. On one visit I discovered something interesting.

Just before you go in through the main entrance, there hidden away off to the side is a little door. If you go through it and down a steep flight of stairs, you find something you wouldn’t normally think about when you visit Te Papa. It’s the foundations of the building and they are fascinating. Te Papa is sitting on 150 large rubber blocks laminated with steel with pure lead columns inside. They are shock absorbers to protect the building from earthquake movement. They were invented here in New Zealand by a scientist called Dr William Robinson and now they are in use all over the world.

It seems to me that children’s ministry can be like the foundations of Te Papa. We can be so

focused on the programmes we are running, so busy organising crafts and telling Bible stories and recruiting leaders, that we never think to look underneath the busyness and see what’s actually happening in the children who attend our programmes.

50%

50% of Australian young people have left church by age 15

But we should take the time to stop and look because down there, underneath the activities, something very significant will be happening in our children. Faith formation will be happening.

Our children will be forming ideas and feelings about what it is like to follow God and live as a February 2016 5

Christian. Actually, it is essential that we take the time to look, because faith will be forming regardless of whether or not we are aware that it is happening. Everything we say and do - even the unintentional things - will be shaping the way our children relate to God, to His church and to the world around them. This means we need to be very careful, otherwise the faith our children are forming may not be what we really want for them. It may not be the sort of faith that will help them to grow in their understanding of God and get to know Him in ways that will sustain them on their journey through life. In fact, the probability is very high that the faith they are forming may not be life-long. David Goodwin tells us that 50% of Australian young people have left church by the age of 15. David Kinnaman went further in his research.

He says that there is a further 43% drop-off in American young people between the teen and early adult years. Our New Zealand patterns are probably similar – we see this happening to the children we know as they grow into adulthood as well.

43% 43% further drop-off in American young people between the teen and early adult years Although the statistics show that many leave church in their teens and as young adults, it’s not just a youth or young adults’ problem.

David Goodwin tells us that the problem starts much earlier. Many of these people are actually being lost while they are still children, but no-one notices because they continue to be brought along by their parents. We have 6 www.sunz.org.nz

lost their hearts but the loss is hidden because we still have their physical presence. Then they become teenagers and they are old enough for their feet to do what their hearts have already done. They walk away from the church and often their faith as well. David Kinnaman says “Young adults describe their individual faith journeys in startlingly similar language. Most of their stories include significant disengagement from church – and sometimes from Christianity altogether.”

We need to be a lot more intentional about faith formation. We need to understand how to help our children develop the sort of faith that is not just about accumulating information, but also about a relationship with God that will be life-long and transformational; the sort of faith that includes experiences that are both personal and interpersonal; the sort of faith that will sustain them in the sad times and tough times, as well as the good times. We need to be a lot more intentional about making sure that the sort of faith that is growing in our children is the one that we want them to have.

So please! Stop and look at what is happening under the surface of everything you do with your children. > What sort of faith is being formed? > What sort of faith do you want to be formed? > How will you help it happen well?

2016

deep faith in a surface world

Scripture Union NZ’s conference or all children’s ministry leaders

Auckland 14 May 2016 Dunedin 28 May 2016 Wellington 11 June 2016 Discover how faith grows when the whole church comes together and learn valuable leadership skills to help you with the essentials of children’s ministry.

Q&A wh a t are some e xperiences in your life th a t have helped form yo ur fait h?

Joseph.

My name is Joseph Martin and I am the Parish Assistant at Waiuku & Districts Combined Churches. I currently run two SUPAkidz Clubs in local schools. I’m passionate about connecting others with the truth found in the Bible and as they take hold of that truth, seeing real change in their own hearts and situations. I guess I would describe it as ‘Evangelical Pastoral Care’.

As I reflect on my faith journey, a key aspect of my spiritual formation was witnessing my parents taking their faith seriously. I recall my mum reading her Good News Bible at the table at lunchtimes and busting through a door as a young child, finding my dad kneeling in prayer beside the bed. These bring back fond memories but more importantly, have installed family values that my wife and I are now passing on to our children. Let’s be intentional about teaching godly values to our children and let them see us living those values out in our own lives.

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Alex.

I love going on SUPAkidz Camps and I have been on four so far. I love the night games and doing activities like walking to the waterfall and taking photos along the way. Camp has helped me understand more about who God is and I have learnt about people of faith in the Bible, like Daniel, Moses and Noah. Noah believed that God would take them safely through the flood.

Moses believed God would protect them and led them to the Promised Land. Knowing this has helped me try new things and given me confidence at school camp.

Alexandra Young, age: 10 Loves mountain biking, ice-cream and anything to do with craft and model making.

Francesca.

One of the acts of worship that has always caught my attention is singing in church. Over time my love for this has grown and I’ve attended Parachute Festival, Easter Camp, and many Scripture Union camps because of how much I connect with God through music. There’s no one point where I felt my faith take hold, rather a gradual expansion in my faith, and much of that has come from the freedom to worship through song and music.

In church, I lead a group of primary school children and attend youth group. I also go to Scripture Union camps, enjoy theatre, play guitar, and look after my little sister.

February 2016 9

HOW ARE WE GOING WITH FAITH FORMATION IN

New

Zealand?

We take a real look at the state of children’s ministry in New Zealand.

BY ANNE T TE OSBOR NE | SU Ch ildren and Families Worker

The children of Aotearoa, New Zealand, are our treasure, our taonga. We want to see them grow and flourish. To do this, we must work together: he waka eke noa – we’re all in this together.

In August 2014, Scripture Union New Zealand produced a survey, designed to gather in-depth information on what was happening for our children, in church and in the church’s community programmes. This survey represented over 87,000 children stretching from Kaitaia to Bluff, in a range of denominations. That’s a lot of children! Who are these children, and how is their faith being formed by the life of the local church?

Research suggests that one of the key strategies for faith formation is intergenerational relationships. The church as a family means that our faith is strengthened by developing friendships that stretch across the ages, as well as with those of the same age and stage.

One of the indicators that this is happening for our children is the number of adults actively involved in the children’s ministries. This is by no means the only way, but the research 10 www.sunz.org.nz

shows that the average primary-aged Sunday programme has 22 children and less than 2 leaders. This tells us that although the leaders of the programme may believe in relationship building and the value of small groups, this is not physically possible. The number of leaders dictates the style of programme: the large group model.

We know that only 5% of the church is actively involved in the Sunday children’s ministry of the church, and around 6% in its community ministry. This raises questions for us. How are relationships being formed through other aspects of church life? Where are the conversations of faith ONLY being held across generations? Where is the example of faith being lived out as a only 5% of the church is still actively involved in whole church family?

Sunday children’s ministry

5%

According to David Goodwin, children who attend all or part of the adult service on a regular basis are twice as likely to make a successful transition to adult church.1 The time that is spent with the church as a whole, helps children feel like they belong. It connects them to the faith practices of their church community, and models to them the expression of faith and worship. This is also a crucial time for children to contribute in their own right, and to model to adults and young people, what a life of faith looks like for a child.

60%

60% of churches have chlidren in the service with everyone together for more than 10 minutes

The survey tells us that almost 60% of churches have children in the service with everyone together, for more than 10 minutes. Add to this that a third of churches have children actively involved during this time. That’s great news because it is helping our children to belong to the wider church family, to take their place in church alongside young people and adults.

And as David Goodwin’s research suggests, it is helping them to grow lifelong faith.

How is faith being formed in those children in the communities surrounding these churches?

What is a concern is that 14% of churches in our survey have no community programmes for children of preschool or intermediate age. While large numbers of children are attending one-off events hosted by the church, such as Light Parties or holiday programmes, this number is not reflected in the weekly programmes or Sunday involvement. While there has been a massive increase in the number of churches who run preschool programmes, this has not translated into

primary and intermediate-aged programmes.

Over a third of churches have no children who have joined as a result of the churches community ministries. There is a growing gap between church and community.

One acknowledgement of this gap may be the rise of alternative services. 66% of churches who participated in the survey are running such services on a regular basis or at least four times a year. Many of these services seek provide a place for community families to get involved, to explore the Bible and to connect with God and others. The rise of alternative services is partly due to recognition by children’s workers and church leaders that we need to find creative ways to connect with our communities. Those who attend these services represent different families and display more ethnic diversity: alternative services are attracting a different group than the traditional Sunday service.

There is much to be encouraged about. Across New Zealand, churches are finding varied and creative ways to help children grow in their faith. There is recognition that some of the ways we have done things in the past are not working. There is a growing awareness that faith formation is something the whole church needs to nurture, not just in its children, but across the generations and beyond the church walls.

If you would like a copy of He waka eke noa: Children’s Ministry in Aotearoa, New Zealand 2015 email us at way2go@sunz.org.nz with your name and address, or download it from our website www.sunz.org.nz

1. David Goodwin, Lost in Transition – or Not?

February 2016 11

THE SPACE B E T W E E N Running a church program is just the beginning.

We need to be forming real relationships between the church and community.

BY H I L A RY H AGU E S U C h i l d re n an d Families Min istr y L eader

When my children were young, I moved house and although my life was busy – as only life with young children can be - I was lonely. Finally I discovered a playgroup run by a local church and in no time at all I had met new people and made friends.

Recent research2 from SUNZ shows that in New Zealand there are a lot of churches running community programmes for children and families like this one. Our research sample alone, found 60,000 children across New Zealand are involved in programmes run in their community by the local church. Sixty thousand! That’s a significant number of children and we can rightly celebrate what we are doing in our communities.

40,000 of these children were involved in one-off activities like Light Parties or holiday programmes. The other 20,000 were involved in regular community ministries such as mainly music, clubs and classes in their local schools, or regular after-school programmes. These are all valuable programmes. They provide places for children and families to get together and they can offer much needed friendship, support and advice.

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‘there is a space between our community programmes and our church life, and very few children and families make the journey across this space.’

HOW ARE YOU DOING? 1. List the community programmes and activities that your church runs.

2. Now list the activities that make up your church life.

3. How do people journey through the space between them?

4. Who are the people in your church who build relationships between the activities as well as within each activity?

But the research also shows us something else. Something that is very worrying. It shows that while lots of children are attending our community programmes, they are not connecting with the churches that are running them. In spite of all the children we are in contact with, there is a space between our community programmes and our church life, and very few children and families make the journey across this space. When we asked about the children who have found their way into the life of the church through community programmes, we discovered that 34% of the churches we surveyed had no children or families join the church as a result of their community programmes, and the majority of the rest of the churches had only one or two children who became regular attenders at church.

34%

34% of churches surveyed had no children and families join the church as a result of their community programs

The research is very clear. And it shows that we need to be asking ourselves an important

question: how are the children and families in our community programmes connecting with our churches?

This question sounds simple but it is actually very significant. We need to think about what we actually do that helps our children and their families’ journey through the space between our community programmes and our church life. We need to ask about what happens in ‘the space between’, and find ways to help people that are intentional and proactive.

As we consider this, it will help to remember that it is the people that are important. That means that relationships will be a fundamental part of any answer we come up with. Steve Taylor says “Community development is like Velcro, creating lots of relationships to help things stick.”1 When it comes to connecting children and families with church, relationship building will be important and it is the quality of those relationships that will be the difference between success and failure.

I encourage you to take the time to pray and think about what ‘the space between’ looks like in your church. As you do so “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else”3.

1. emergentkiwi.org.nz 2. He waka eke noa: Children’s Ministry in Aotearoa, New Zealand 2015.

3. from 1 Thessalonians 3:12, NIV

February 2016 13

STEPPING BACK ACROSS

THE GAP

As we chat with Mel, she shows us how her church was able to connect with her.

BY R A E W Y N ROWNE Y S U C h i l d re n an d Families Wo r ker

I hadn’t seen Mel for many years until she recently started attending our church regularly with her husband and young daughter.

As a pre-schooler Mel came along to our church playgroup with her mother, who wanted to develop friendships with other mothers in the area. Mel’s mum later worked beside me on the playgroup leadership team where she enjoyed the closer friendship of the team, and although she went to church occasionally she never opted into regular church attendance or membership. She did however start sending Mel to Sunday School.

Mel still remembers being at playgroup and her days at St Johns’ church as a child. “Jesus’ birthday parties in the vicarage garden on Christmas Eve and Christmas Sunday School breakups. I still have my little Chinese outfit that I have kept for my daughter. Awesome memories… Camps were amazing for me - I remember heading off in the orange van…

Trips and the 40 hour Famine… Friendships with particular people.” But as she got older she found different friends and different priorities. Church became a restriction rather than adding to life and Mel opted out of church when she was around 14.

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But now Mel has found her way back to St Johns. What has drawn her back? “ I always felt that although I had a few years where I didn’t attend services I never forgot what I learned.. . When I look back I can see the jigsaw that came together and it couldn’t have just happened. God incidences rather than coincidences.

“Friendships attracted me and they still do.

If my friends weren’t at church we may have moved now, or looked around. It is vital you have people you can talk to and friendships you can make outside of church and Sunday. relationships are key and always have been. real friends doing real life together. you can worship anywhere in a way. it is the people that attract you to a church. it is people. the people make the difference. ”

MAORI PROVERB

H e tan gata, h e t a n gata, h e tan gata I t i s the peopl e, i t i s t he peopl e, i t i s the pe opl e

February 2016 15

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Rehua Place, Whakapapa Village The Lodge is 1km beyond the Chateau on Mt Ruapehu. It accommodates a maximum of 32 people with kitchen and living areas upstairs, bunk rooms, bathrooms and drying areas downstairs.

On the ground floor, there are 4 separate bunk rooms. Each sleeps 8 people with 3 sets of bunks with an additional sleeping shelf available for two mattresses end to end. Mattresses are supplied.

The building is electrically heated and equipped with two drying rooms, hot water, showers and toilets. In the kitchen, two electric stoves, a microwave oven, zip, 2 fridge-freezers and chest freezer (downstairs), cooking gear, crockery, cutlery and tea towels are supplied.

// SPECIAL AMENITIES:

6 km (5-10 minutes) to top car park at Whakapapa ski field. Beautiful views to mountain. Private and quiet. Walk to info centre, Chateau and cafes. Large car park.

Communal upstairs lounge with board games.

Warm, relaxing environment in established lodge. Two drying rooms and boot room for ski equipment. The two bathrooms have 2 toilets and 2 showers each.

// RATES:

> 1 June – 31 October: $22.00/Night (Fri-Sun) & $18.00 rest of week > Rest of year: $18.00/night Minimum charge of $110.00 per night (children under 5 free)

To make a booking go to: http://bit.ly/SUAdventureLodge Email: info@sunz.org.nz

FAITH FORMATION IN A MODERN WORLD

Our mission to encourage bible engagement with today’s teenagers.

BY N EV ILLE B A RT LEY | SU You th M in is t r y L e a d e r

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How do we help teenagers grow and deepen their faith walk? How do we help this age group connect daily with a living God, especially as He doesn’t have a Facebook, or Twitter account.

Some of you may think I am trying to be funny but I am totally serious. For many teenagers, social media and technology is the standard method of communication and connection, so how do we help them discern His voice.

So how do we, in this modern technological age, help teenagers to connect with God and develop their faith? Well one way we are endeavouring to do that at SUNZ has been to create a free daily Bible reading app. This app is designed to be easily accessible it can be on many different devices that the young people own, such as smartphones and tablets, and it can even send them a message to remind them to connect in.

it is with teenagers wherever they go. Once the app is downloaded it is there at their fingertips.

The other exciting thing is that the readings are done by their peers and the readings are recorded and uploaded in a very raw manner, which means that any stumbles over words and pronunciation remain in the recording for all to hear. We record like this intentionally in to encourage teenagers to read scripture and not to worry if you have trouble with names and strange words; it’s more about connecting with God rather than correct grammar and pronunciation. The other exciting thing is that we usually try to follow scripture through one book of the Bible each month which helps teenagers realise how stories flow and connect with one another rather than just getting snippets from all over the Bible and putting the focus on a particular topic. Lastly the exciting thing about this app is that we currently have the recordings in Te Reo Maori and English and hope to expand the languages over time.

The app has a daily audio reading that is read by a young kiwi teenager and at the end of the each scripture we ask them a few questions Faith development is essential in these teenage for them to ponder and we finish each reading years and engaging with scripture is a vital with a prayer. Teenagers can listen to the daily component of that development. The ability reading literally anywhere and anytime. They to connect with God through scripture to think can listen to it about what the message means on their own and apply the truth to their lives How do we help or play it to is crucial at this formative stage a group of in their lives. We need to think this age group connect friends. They about engaging young people daily with a living God, can ponder with relevance to their world especially as He doesn’t the answers to and that means using technology the questions whether we like it or not. If we have a Facebook, or themselves or don’t begin to use techniques Twitter account. they can listen like this Bible app then the in a group and things presented to them daily discuss the questions amongst themselves. by this world will be the defining voice that They can even go to a Facebook page and write shapes their faith formation. Please pray that their thoughts and questions on that days this app will play its part in helping to develop scripture and engage with what others are the faith of young people in New Zealand. thinking and asking about it.

For me the exciting thing about this app is that

For more information about the Engage App or to download it please visit www.sunz.org.nz/engage February 2016 21

“

Co ntact us if you want to know more. h i l a r y. h @ s u nz . org.n z

|

w w w.su n z.org.nz

“It’s not th e to o l s that you ha ve fa i t h i n .

To ol s a re ju s t to o l s .

Th e y work o r t h e y do n ’t wor k .

It’s p e opl e yo u h a ve f ai th i n or n o t .”

S t eve J o b s

ONE- OFF EVENTS One-off events are very popular and an excellent way to lift your church profile.

Events like Light Parties and Family Fun Days can add a short burst of energy and provide a great way to meet lots of people.

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KIDS’ CAMPS SUNZ runs kids camps. Your church can use them as a highlight in your overall programme. They are action-packed and full of adventure, games, crafts, and heaps of fun. Children in school years 4 - 6 explore the Bible together and learn all about God. Simply collect your children up and send them along.

You can come along too and be a leader if you want to spend time with your kids.

Steve Jobs was talking about technology, but his words are also true for our churches as we reach out to the communities around us. It will be the people that are important. It is us and the friendships we build with the children and families around us that God will use to change lives.

Just as the right tool will empower people to accomplish far more than they could without it, so too the right programme - chosen carefully and used strategically - will enable you and your church to connect with people far more effectively than you would without it.

Scripture Union’s Children and Families’ Team have a variety of tools to help you connect with your community. We will help you choose the right tools, and provide ideas, resources, support and encourage you as you use them.

KIDS’ CLUBS HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES Holidays are all about fun! Holiday Programmes keep children entertained with a range of activities and games while they learn about God and discover what it means to be his friend. They are an effective way to connect with your community and provide a place for church and community to mix. They can also be a valuable service for busy parents.

Kids’ Clubs let children have fun together as they explore the Bible and learn about God. Kids Clubs are ongoing and so children can grow and experience church community together - sometimes for the first time. They take place during the week in a church or community hall.

SUPAkidz and SURGE Clubs are especially designed to fit the school setting. They are for primary and intermediate school children and they have carefully written programmes that are sensitive to the educational context they are in. They run during lunchtime or after school on school grounds.

February 2016 23

LIGHT FOR THE PATH

BY NIGE L WINDE R S U C h ildren an d Families Wo r ker

shaped

BY THE POWER OF GOD

I love nothing better than swimming in the ocean and being smashed and tumbled by the waves. It can be both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. The power of the ocean reminds me of God. It is where I go to feel closest to God and help put things back in perspective. Vast, powerful, unable to be measured or contained - the ocean (and God) humble me and remind me of my smallness, insignificance and powerlessness.

Running along the beach recently I was fascinated by the amount of wood washed up – stripped, polished, shaped, debarked, bleached – each piece stunningly beautiful, unique, yet collectively creating a natural piece of artwork that turned my heart and attention to God. Where had the wood come from?

What sort of tree was it originally? How long has it travelled the ocean currents? How much had been stripped away by the ocean? How different was it from when it first entered the waters? Each piece of wood had its own story.

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PSALM 93

3 The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea the Lord on high is mighty.

I reflected on the refining process God takes us all on. In a sense we all exist in God’s ocean. We all start out from different beginnings, yet God takes us on a journey of refining and shaping: stripping away and bringing out the inner beauty, grains and colours that He created in us to reflect Him.

to continue their shaping, rearranging and redisplaying on another beach in a different configuration, possibly in a completely different location. And so too for us - life continually changes, but God remains the same and his purposes in refining and shaping us remains the same.

We travel that journey with others – it’s not always comfortable or pleasant – then God dumps us on a beach together for His collective purpose and display of His glory to the world.

If I had stumbled across only one stick on the beach I would have passed it by. But it was the sheer volume and diversity of the scene that spoke to me. I could pick out individual pieces, but it was also their collective beauty.

That is the church. We aren’t called to faith in isolation but in community. We need each other to reflect the true beauty of God.

Our refining continues as we exist in the ocean of God, but one day our journey and transformation will be complete where we will rest in the still waters, submerged in the depth, breadth and glory of God.

Later that night the tide may well have come in and gathered those sticks and logs back up,

REFLECTION:

How are you different now than when you started your faith journey?

What things has God stripped away?

What has happened in the last year that has shaped you?

February 2016 25

out &

about Otago/Southland NIGEL WINDER

We are so grateful to God for the two junior summer youth camps in Wanaka and TeAnau being full. It is particularly pleasing to have these opportunities and other junior camps during the year for past SUPAkidz campers and others to grow into.

It has also been exciting to get the inaugural Otago E3 Expedition off the ground in December and a strong contingent of young leaders from the region attending Exodus Prime in Wellington. Both of these camps are providing amazing leadership development opportunities as we seek to partner with local churches in the disciplining and mentoring of their young people.

We look forward to the year ahead - training, resourcing and encouraging churches in the faith formation of their children and young people.

Auckland SYLVIA COULTER

In January SU camps in this region involved all our field staff, 100 plus volunteer leaders and almost 400 campers. We praise God for people who joyfully give up time to make this ministry possible. Help us continue to find the volunteers we need, including the cooks whose role is most essential!

Meanwhile I’ve cleaned my office for the new regional facilitator we seek - a part-time position to grow SU’s contacts to better serve the region’s churches and communities. As for me, I’m still on staff, two days a week developing prayer support and growing our volunteer base.

Youth Campers at our Wild Wanaka Summer Camp

Ponui Camp changeover time at Kawakawa Bay 26 www.sunz.org.nz

Waikato, Bay of Plenty GRAHAM FULLERTON

On a recent Sunday afternoon 33 people from around some of the Churches in Hamilton gathered to attend a ‘You’re Losing Us’ seminar led by Scripture Union’s Andrew Ramsbottom and Paul Dadd.

Some comments from those attending were: • Today affirmed us in what we are doing .We now see some points that we can tweak on.

• We need to look into mentoring.

• Thought provoking. Challenging.

• The Work Stations were very creative. Should have brought my camera to photograph the Work Stations that we created.

• So glad that I came.

• To plan successful Intergenerational Sunday Services will take a lot of planning. That is a challenge.

• Really practical, down to earth, helpful.

Campers at Exodus Prime

Wellington JAMUEL ENRIQUEZ

‘You’re Losing Us’ workshop in Hamilton

We have just finished our Summer Camps period, one of our busiest times of the year, and our camps here in Wellington were filled with excitement. This year is the second year we have run ‘Exodus Prime’, a camp where we train young leaders. We had forty four youth campers at Exodus Prime this year, almost twice as many as we had last year.

We also held one SUPAkidz Camp here in Wellington over summer and we had an amazing group of campers this year with over 30 children attending this camp. As we have recently finished the camps the next few weeks are still filled with excitement (and busy-ness) as we prepare for WAY2GO as well as our brand new website going live in the next few weeks!

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GET SOME “TOP TIPS” The Top Tips booklets are designed for all those working with children or young people.

Big on practical advice, but small enough to digest over a cup of coffee, all of the books in the Top Tips series are packed full of great ideas from experts to encourage and inspire you in your work. With loads of titles to choose from, there’s bound to be at least one that will be perfect for you and your group.

THERE ARE 23 TITLES IN THE SERIES: Explaining the Cross, All-age worship, Welcoming special children, Reaching unchurched children, Growing faith with families. Welcoming children of other faiths, Prompting prayer, Encouraging faith to grow, Sharing Bible stories, Communicating God in non-book ways, Developing partnerships between church and school, Discovering the Bible with children, Explaining the Trinity to young people, Exploring the Bible with young people, Helping a child respond to Jesus, Inspiring all kinds of learners, Leading small groups, Running holiday clubs, Working with mixed ages, Working with lads, Worshipping with under 5’s, Offering the best children’s ministry, Dealing with challenging behaviour.

EASTER IS ONLY NEXT MONTH – SO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES AT: WWW.SUNZ.ORG.NZ

Delight children aged under 11 with this comic-strip retelling of the Easter story. Through the high-quality illustrations and text, children will encounter the true story of Easter, together with quizzes, puzzles, facts and information to help them engage the story more fully.

We also have a great range of Easter storybooks from as little as $1.99 each – so make sure you check out our website under Seasonal items.

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$2.50 + pp

THE EASTER BIBLE STORYBOOK: “This is a full-colour board book, ideal for toddlers and young children, telling the story of Easter and packed with Bible Friends on every page.”

$8.99 + pp

CANDLE EASTER COLLECTION: “An adorable collection of six pocket-sized board books for pint-sized readers! Stories include: Ride in to Jerusalem, Easter meal, Jesus is arrested, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection, and Jesus returns.”

Boxed set of six little books for

only $9.99 + pp

THE EASTER STORY: “This retelling of the Easter story is both clear and detailed, explaining fully the message of God’s love in a way that children will be able to easily understand. The book follows this important episode from Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem right through to the resurrection. Giuliano Ferri’s illustrations are peaceful, gentle and elegant, making this a sophisticated picture story book for older children.”

$16.99 + pp THE FIRST EASTER: “This book tells the story of the last week of Jesus’s life, simply and straightforwardly faithful to the biblical accounts of his death and resurrection. The charming illustrations by Sophie Allsopp respectfully complement the great story, adding detail and warmth that will be appreciated by adult and child alike. This little hardback is a beautiful but very accessible presentation of the Easter story, which makes a thoughtful little gift.”

$9.99 + pp February 2016 29

BIBLES AND DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES We have expanded our range of Children’s and Youth Bibles and devotional resources so please check these out at: www.sunz.org.nz

GUYS LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE – paper Back (NLT): $34.99 + pp “Created for guys ages 11 to 14 and packed full of notes and features, it is easy to use and helps answer the questions preteen guys may have about God and life. The notes help them learn to think biblically about real issues they face, such as self-esteem, friendship, and peer pressure. Discovering God’s will for their lives has never been this much fun! FEATURES: Age-appropriate notes, including: Freeze Frame--First-person narrations from the perspective of Bible characters about their own experiences and lessons learned What Now?--Unique, authentic scenarios about boys that are written in the third person, in a conversational format. Designed to leave readers to make their own decisions about reallife situations, while being pointed to Scripture for answers Amazing Facts-Interesting tidbits of information from the Bible designed to engage readers in Scripture, and plenty more….”

GIRLS LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE – hardcover (NLT): $36.99 + pp “Created for girls ages 11 and up it is packed full of notes and features, and is easy to use and helps answer some of the questions preteen girls have about God and life. Discovering God’s will for their lives has never been this much fun! Features: “What Now?” Learn how to make good choices in tough times “I Survived!” Personal survival stories from older teens about how they made it “Amazing Facts” Bible trivia “At a Glance” The lives of famous women in the Bible “Is It OK?” A reality check on what the Bible says about the questions that are really on your mind, and much more….”

CEV YOUTH BIBLE – Denim zip cover: $19.99 + pp “The CEV has been described as a user-friendly translation that can be read aloud without stumbling and heard without misunderstanding. The Global CEV adjusts American phrases to phrases that are easily understood throughout the English speaking world. This denim-covered edition provides: General Introductions for each book of the Bible and a Mini Dictionary; Readings for Special Days and Events.”

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ADVENTURE BIBLE FOR TODDLERS – hardcover: $14.99 “The Adventure Bible for Toddlers starts children ages 2-5 on the journey of a lifetime, teaching them about the Bible’s great stories and themes. It helps young children grow in their relationship with God using stories and art from the wildly popular Adventure Bible Storybook. With ten beautifully illustrated and beloved Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, this sturdy padded board book will stimulate toddlers minds and fill their hearts with love for their heavenly Father.”

JESUS CALLING 365 DEVOTIONS FOR KIDS: $22.99 + pp “Devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child’s heart. Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives. After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down what she believed He was saying to her through Scripture. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her devotionals. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.”

ADVENTURE BIBLE BOOK OF DEVOTIONS (NIV): $21.99 + pp “Grab your spyglass and compass and set sail for adventure! Like a map that leads to great treasure, this revised edition of the NIV Adventure Bible Book of Devotions takes kids on a thrilling, enriching quest. This year long devotional is filled with exciting fictional stories about kids finding adventure in the real world.

Boys and girls will learn more about God and the Bible, and be inspired to live a life of faith-the greatest adventure of all. Companion to the Adventure Bible, the #1 bestselling Bible for kids.”

THE ONE YEAR DEVOS FOR TEENS 2: $22.99 + pp “With so many pressures from friends, parents, and teachers sometimes it’s hard to know where to turn. Best-selling author and Brio magazine editor Susie Shellenberger reveals the energy and purpose that can come with daily time in God’s Word - each day’s devotion includes a suggested Scripture reading, a devotional thought, application idea, and a short prayer.”

THE ONE YEAR JOSH MCDOWELL’S YOUTH DEVOTIONS 2: $22.99 + pp “Josh McDowell’s Beyond Belief message is the foundation to launch a spiritual revolution among youth. This is a revolution to equip churches and families to raise up a generation of the cross—young people who have been transformed by Christ and the cross, who are empowered to live crossgrain to the culture and are committed to share Christ across all cultures. Josh provides 365 daily encounters with the one true God who is beyond our belief in love and grace.”

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PO BOX 760, Wellington 6140 | 0508 423 836 | info@sunz.org.nz He rama t찾u kupu ki 천ku wae | Your word is a lamp to my feet. Psalm 119:105 SUNZ is a member of the Scripture Union International Family