CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Training opportunity for people passionate about children’s ministry

A pilot project began in Cirencester in September 2001. Since then Open the Book has grown explosively in the Diocese of Gloucester and teams are now telling stories to ten thousand children every week! Volunteers are able to share their faith with the children in an easy and enjoyable way and innumerable anecdotes show that everyone is benefiting from the experience - children, schools, volunteers and churches.

What is it?

Open the Book is a series of 90 Bible stories presented in weekly collective worship over three school years; each lasting about ten minutes:

• The stories are taken from "The Lion Storyteller Bible" by Bob Hartman and two Storybooks produced especially for the project.

• The stories are presented using a variety of storytelling techniques.

• The thirty ten-minute stories are in sequence giving snapshots of the whole Bible from Genesis to Acts

• The Storyteller team for each school is made up of local volunteers drawn form local churches

• The project is a joint initiative by the Diocesan Board of Education and Parish Resources Department, Gloucester Diocese-and has set up successful partnerships with other dioceses.

• Open the Book is offered as a free service to local schools.

What are our aims?

1. To present the Bible in an accessible, enjoyable way.

2. To enable every child to hear the story of the Bible during their primary years.

3. To encourage links between school and church in a local context

4. To equip, encourage and enable adults to work with children in schools.

Who are we?

Dianne Brookes, although a qualified Primary Teacher, works as a Deputy Registrar. She has past experience of children's work within the local church as well as the wider challenge of children's ministry at New Wine. She has also been involved with outreach events and parish weekends through the God Is Good Trust

Jacqueline Rodwell has experience of a variety of children's work and children's evangelism in the local church context. She was recently ordained Deacon in the Church of England and is working as a Non-Stipendiary Assistant Curate in the West Cheltenham Team Ministry.

Saturday 14th July

9.30am - 3.30pm

Crudwell Village Hall; Tetbury Lane, Near Malmesbury SN16 9HB

  • Cost: £8 per delegate

  • Contact Catherine Coster or Dan Jones to book your places

    0117 927 7454