Page 7 - Summer 2015 Contact issue 34

Awakening to the needs in our Faith at Home Seminar Community Jane Butcher works for the Bible Reading This seminar was an opportunity to hear Fellowship’s Children and from and interact with local charities. Families Team (Messy Church is one of Although we are aware of them we may their ministries) and she spoke to us on not know exactly what they do. the critically important subject of how we as parents, grandparents and carers pass St Vincent De Paul, Ethnic Minorities our faith on to our children. Forum and the Hope Centre were the 3 Key challenges mentioned included organisations invited to participate. While fnding time, having the family all not linked to each other, it was apparent together, children (or adults!) not that they deal with very similar issues and interested, a sense of failure, lack of it was humbling, verging on embarrassing, knowledge or unworthiness and kids to hear how they share the same passion with diferent learning styles. We need to and servant heart, working long hours, with remind ourselves that this is not about little or no wages at the end of it. Those success or failure nor about parents who attended the seminar were obviously having all the answers, rather it is a challenged by what they heard. journey together and kids can often teach us as well. In a large church with so many missionary organisations and projects, A recurring theme was that no one size we can be blinkered as to what is going strategy fts all. We can use whatever on just outside our church doors. When ideas ft our family and this may change asked in the seminar “How could we in over time. We need to fnd ways that ft High Kirk help your organisation?” all our daily life with its sleep deprivation, replied, that they would appreciate prayer. tantrums, exam pressures, peer group SVP and the Hope Centre also issued an issues, fnancial difculties, divorce etc. invitation for volunteers to stand with them We can use what we are already doing for as they tackle poverty, racism and conversations eg while being ‘taxi’, and addiction in our town. during issues and confict. The inspiration for this seminar came to She talked about protected fun family me from a quote of Carl Jung’s who stated time with no distractions even once a “Those who look out are dreamers and month and how flms can be great those who look within awaken.” I felt this discussion starters about life issues. was a perfect opportunity for us to look The whole church body have much to within our own community and awaken bring especially during the teenage years. to the needs around us. Just because a We had opportunity for short discussions movement is not “birthed” in a church it in twos and threes (not long enough) and does not mean it is does not echo God’s for questions. Perhaps we could continue heart for people in crisis. As God’s children some of these conversations as we seek we should be standing shoulder to to support one another and share ideas. shoulder, with those who see a need, and are making sacrifces to address it. Useful resources: We can’t change the world (or Ballymena) http://commonsensemedia.org/reviews for Christ, if we are not part of it. (to check out suitability of books, flms, computer games). Martin Delaney ‘Digital Parenting’ book by Bex Lewis. http://faithinhomes.org.uk (for creative ideas and discussion starters). Claire Wilson