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Shaping Faith with - and within - Children

• Worship
  • http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/ - ideas to engage children in church for those using Revised Common Lectionary. This site has a topical, lectionary and scripture index.
  • http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/ - blog with ideas for creative storytelling, prayer stations, seasonal activities
  • http://www.godlyplayfoundation.org - Godly Play: method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives based on Montessori principles. The handcrafted story telling materials allow the participants to see the story and interact with it.
  • http://www.worshipwoodworks.com/ - Young Children and worship and Following Jesus by Dr. Sonja Stewart is a Montessori method for teaching young children Bible stories.
  • http://ministry-to-children.com/family-worship/ - This site is dedicated to providing worship resources to encourage family to worship at home.
  • http://www.seasonsonline.ca/11/92/   - 6 pamphlets  to share with your congregations: Ministry of Children, Welcome to Worship, Being With Children in Worship, Including Children in Worship, Children and Baptism, Children and Communion
     
  • Children and Communion- Three free reproducible pamphlets for families with children engaging in preparation for participation in the sacrament.  A list of additional resources can be found here.
    • Jesus Loves Me: The Young Child and Communion. (PDF) A resource for discussion of full inclusion of children in the celebration of communion.
    • Do This To Remember Me!” A Book For Families on the Sacrament of Holy Communion (PDF)
    • Communion with Your Child (PDF)
       
  • Children’s aids in worship- The effective inclusion of children in worship is an important goal for 21st century congregations.  Worship is the central, formational activity of congregational life and children benefit when they are incorporated into this interage opportunity with regularity.  How often, when and how is for your congregation to decide.   The material here will assist you to do so.
    • http://www.spiritualchild.co.uk/liturgyboxes.html  - learn about Liturgy boxes which are designed to help young children worship and participate in a service in a very tactile way
    • http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2014/06/what-goes-into-worship-bags.html - learn about ideas for what to include worship bags
       
  • Prayer stations in Worship
    • http://vcckids.blogspot.com/2013/11/worship-response-station-wall-of.html – Blog with numerous prayer station ideas
    • http://www.spiritualchild.co.uk/worshipprayerstations.html - themes: “joseph,” “Hunger”, “Light”, “Exodus”
    • http://www.allageworshipresources.org/category/prayer-stations/ - themes: “I am Statements,” “Welcome,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Christmas”
    • http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/ - blog with ideas for prayer stations
       
  • Storybooks in worship
    • http://storypath.upsem.edu/ - This site provides suggestions of children’s books to use in worship. The site has a lectionary, scripture, and theme index.
       
  • Comment Field – Sharing our ideas
     
• Learning 
  • http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/children.html - this learning exchange provides information on children’s research studies (Principles and Practices) on faith development.
  • http://www.ucc.org/children_choosing-a-bible-for-children - advice on choosing a Bible
  • http://www.buildfaith.org/how-to-evaluate-your-christian-education-curriculum/ - how to evaluate curriculum.
  • http://www.buildfaith.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/10/2016CurriculumChartforChildren.pdf - chart that evaluates the most popular curriculums for Children’s Faith Formation in 2016
  • http://www.auce-ucc.org/#!children/khmws - a list of resources from AUCE to talk to children about the tough issues of death, loss, violence, and disasters.
  • http://trainbibleteachers.com/special-needs.htm - resources to help gain a general understanding about special needs to create an inclusive environment.
    
  • Comment Field – Sharing our ideas
     
• Service
  • http://kidworldcitizen.org/2013/02/20/35-service-projects-for-kids/ - 35 service projects ideas for kids
  • http://www.heifer.org/ - the gift of animals to save lives
  • http://www.unfoundation.org/what-we-do/campaigns-and-initiatives/nothing-but-nets/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ - Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa
  • http://www.kidsincrisis.org/ - Helping kids in crisis in Southwestern Connecticut.
  • http://covenanttocare.org/new/ - Helping to provide direct assistance to Connecticut’s children who are neglected, abused and/or impoverished.
     
  • Comment Field – Sharing our ideas