July/August issue highlights from Pam

Welcome to another jam-packed issue of Children & Youth, bursting with fruitful ideas to explore the Bible this summer! The weekly materials explore lectionary readings from Matthew’s Gospel, helping to deepen our understanding about what discipleship means and how we can witness to the wider community – see The message of Matthew article for more about the context Matthew was writing in. The reading for 20-26 August from Matthew 15 enables us to explore the voices of the marginalised and excluded. Read Chine McDonald’s article A tapestry of colour in which she explores racism in Scripture, in response to the passage.

I’m delighted to showcase our brand-new Big Summer Holiday Bucket List resource – designed to explore God’s big story with children and families, these materials are versatile and inspiring.

Now is a great time to plan outside activities – the latest Discovering God is a fun, reflective resource that looks for evidence of God in creation. The activities would work well as part of a woodland walk or a picnic with your group, or with families. Alternatively, it could be used to support schools in their delivery of spiritual development, mindfulness and wellbeing for pupils – see if you can use the school playing field or your own church grounds, and work with teachers to ensure the session is safe and enjoyable for all.

Back by popular demand for this issue are the Colouring sheets – a simple provision that we hope encourages our very youngest children to engage with the Bible stories and themes.

Thanks to your ongoing support and helpful feedback, we’re enhancing our resources over the next few months. So, look out for a refreshed magazine, a new website and more besides!

Pam Elliott,
Children & Youth Editor
pam.elliott@rootsforchurches.com