Alan Charter

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Dirt can be good for children, say scientists

Messy play should be encouraged, according to the hygiene hypothesis Children should be allowed to get dirty, according to scientists who have found being too clean can impair the skin's ability to heal. Normal bacteria living on the skin trigger a pathway that helps prevent inflammation when we get hurt, the US team discovered. The bugs dampen down overactive immune responses that can cause cuts and grazes to swell, they say. Their work is published in the online edition of Nature Medicine.… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on November 24, 2009 at 10:40am — No Comments

Children should make up own mind about faith, says EA

The Evangelical Alliance says it agrees with the message of a new humanist advertising campaign proclaiming that children should make up their own mind about their beliefs. The British Humanist Association has put up posters in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast depicting children alongside different faith labels and the slogan ‘Please don’t label me. Let me grow up and choose for myself’. The campaign has been timed to coincide with Universal Children's Day on 20 November and follows on f… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on November 20, 2009 at 9:30am — 1 Comment

New Research Explores the Long-Term Effect of Spiritual Activity among Children and Teens

November 16, 2009 - What is the connection between childhood faith and adult religious commitment? Parents and religious leaders are naturally interested in knowing if spiritual investment in young lives pays off in the long run. A recent study conducted by the Barna Group provides new insights into this age-old question. The survey asked adults to think back on their upbringing and to describe the frequency of their involvement in Sunday school or religious training. The Barna researchers then… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on November 16, 2009 at 4:14pm — 2 Comments

New Research Explores the Long-Term Effect of Spiritual Activity among Children and Teens

November 16, 2009 - What is the connection between childhood faith and adult religious commitment? Parents and religious leaders are naturally interested in knowing if spiritual investment in young lives pays off in the long run. A recent study conducted by the Barna Group provides new insights into this age-old question. The survey asked adults to think back on their upbringing and to describe the frequency of their involvement in Sunday school or religious training. The Barna researchers then… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on November 16, 2009 at 4:14pm — No Comments

Dawkins subsidising camps for children...

So, Richard Dawkins is moving more into children's work?! I wonder what will be next... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6591231.ece Continue

Added by Alan Charter on June 29, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Done and Dusted - but only for now...

Alan is grateful to Mark for some excellent input as well as to all who came to make it such an excellent day. Watch this space for information on more to come... Continue

Added by Alan Charter on March 5, 2009 at 12:53am — 3 Comments

Global Children's Forum: Aim lower... but think bigger!

This weekend at Wheaton, Illinois a group of 50-60 people gathered as part of an exploratory global children's forum. Taking up the challenge to aim lower, think smaller, give up and go have a cup of coffee, the group began a journey towards imagining what it would take to see God's kingdom come in the lives of the 2.1 billion children in the world. - “Catalysing a movement that engages every child, in every generation with Jesus, through his Word.” An adept facilitation team led delegates from… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on July 14, 2008 at 5:18am — No Comments

BBC News - Adults 'scared to go near kids'

Many adults are afraid to interact with children for fear of being labelled as paedophiles, a report has claimed. Think-tank Civitas said the "escalation of child protection measures" had made everyone from sports coaches to Santas seem like "potential child abusers". The Home Office said there was no evidence that vetting had deterred volunteers or eroded trust. It plans to tighten the rules further, so all parents hosting foreign exchange students will face background checks. In its report… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on June 26, 2008 at 8:24am — 8 Comments

Family Matters Research Project: 'What churches are doing with children and families'

A request from The Consultative Group on Ministry Among Children: "Family Matters are undertaking some important research work on what churches are doing with children and families. They have now produced an e-survey and the link is attached below. http://www.surveypark.co.uk/uc/main/bafe/?a=cgin This research could prove to be invaluable for us all and it would be great if you could pass it on to as many people as possible!" Continue

Added by Alan Charter on June 20, 2008 at 12:58pm — No Comments

Diocese of Worcester need a Children’s Officer... (Vacancy)

Diocesan Children’s Officer The 100,000+ children living in the Diocese of Worcester need a Children’s Officer who will: • champion their voice in the life of the church • help them to discover and worship God in safety and joy • represent the church in its partnerships in Dudley and Worcestershire and be their advocate • promote “Every Child Matters” We are seeking to appoint an Officer who: • has skills in championing children and who can train and motivate volunteers.. • is confident… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on June 6, 2008 at 10:32am — No Comments

LightLive - new from SU. Beta testers needed...

Many of you will have seen WordLive.org - the great new online devotional tool from Scripture Union, well soon to arrive is a free to use web based resource for anyone working with children and young people called LightLive. Amy, the project manager for LightLive writes... "LightLive launches on April 29, 2008. SU are currently recruiting enthusiastic volunteers to preview and test the site. You do not need to have any particular web expertise but it would be helpful if you have some experienc… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on March 7, 2008 at 5:22pm — No Comments

Faith to Faith, Ethics and Evangelism

Faith to Faith is organising a conference for all Christians who are involved in ministry and mission amongst people of different faiths in the UK. It will include sessions on working with new age spirituality, Hindus' issues about conversion and working with children and young people. Please do pass it on to other Christians you know who might be interested. The easiest way to book is through the Global Connections website:… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on March 3, 2008 at 12:20pm — No Comments

Children in Prayer Global Consultation

See below for details of this event:

Invitation to the Children in Prayer Global Consultation

… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on February 7, 2008 at 4:58pm — No Comments

Kids' work isn't always child's play

"Let's pray for our
… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on January 24, 2008 at 2:26pm — No Comments

Office of the Children’s COMMISSIONER: 11 MILLION TAKEOVER DAY

Office of the Children’s COMMISSIONER: 11 MILLION TAKEOVER DAY
www.childrenscommissioner.org/adult/takeoverday/takeoverday.cfm?id=2007
Join the Children’s Commissioner for England and be part of celebrating the importance of children and young people in our society. On the 23 November 2007, the 11 MILLION children and young people in England will be invited to takeover our leading institutions, j… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on November 5, 2007 at 4:39pm — No Comments

Children's Ministry in the 21st Century

Check out this new Stateside book from Group.

It combines lots of practical ideas with some helpful and accessible contemporary theory from 10 frontline workers in the US.

It addresses a good reange of topics including intrpreting culturl changes, addressing children and family ministry, education and church for postmodern kids. It also includes ready to use materials with permission to copy...

It doesn't answer e

… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on October 5, 2007 at 10:28am — 1 Comment

Tools to be an Advocate

One of the things that Children Matter! are working on is a free to use DVD for anyone working with children.

Many of you will have made good use of the 'Aim Lower' video and others from our friends at Max7.org - if not download it now! (see main page). You may also have seen a powerful video clip from the Church of the Nazarene in the States called 'New Generation'. We have been given permission to reshoot this and 'Anglicise' it, which could then be put together with the Aim Lower cl

… Continue

Added by Alan Charter on June 18, 2007 at 3:20pm — 2 Comments

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2009

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News

Leading vs Empowering Children

Challenge Team UK is recruiting a Full-time Team Leader...

Faith schools are better at tackling extremism

The Advent Conspiracy Resource

Starting a Christian Union

Eating Disorders and Self Harm Seminar

What do you say to an eight-year-old girl?

The Spirituality of Boys

Still looking for gifts or ideas for your children’s group Christmas party?

Faith schools dominate primary school league tables

Schools vetting volunteers at Christmas events

Parents splash out for nativity costumes

A Nativity story with a difference

Children on atheist billboards 'are actually Evangelical Christians'

More Christmas Resources

Nativity plays not dead yet?

Dirt can be good for children, say scientists

Teach both evolution and creationism say 54% of Britons

Rowan Williams condemns 'oppressive' English educational system

RE Resource Praised

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Events

[May 7] Children Worldwide Sports and Activities Weekend

[Jan 14] Class in Children's Spirituality

[Jan 22] Hand in Hand - Children's Ministry and Family Ministry Conference

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