Your Faith - United Reformed Church /category/urc-pages/your-faith/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:58:37 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2021/12/favicon-1.png Your Faith - United Reformed Church /category/urc-pages/your-faith/ 32 32 Wise Words 4 All: 2026 Children’s and Youth Work Theme /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/wise-words-4-all-2026-childrens-and-youth-work-theme/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:19:36 +0000 /?page_id=62549 The post Wise Words 4 All: 2026 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Wise Words 4 All: 2026 Children’s and Youth Work Theme

Resources designed to support all churches, regardless of whether they have children and young people in their midst. This resource focusses on Wise Words and has been designed to offer many starting places  for worship, youth groups, small discussion groups, toddler groups and more.

Within this resource you will find ways to explore the particular wisdom of the URC contained in our Statement of Nature, Faith and Order; the Charter for Children; and expressed in our approach to making decisions. You will be challenged to hear wise words from unexpected sources: different ages, different cultures, different media, different places. Online you will find even more resources, including colouring pages, a puzzle page, an intergenerational people bingo sheet, and some mutual interviews to conduct.

You’ll find a wide variety of ways to involve everyone, whatever their age or stage, across the year, and you will discover a wealth of material to enjoy with children, young people, young adults and in intergenerational contexts.

The resource headings for sections are only guides – please don’t limit yourself to those that most obviously fit your context as you will find great ideas you can adapt in other places.

If you don’t have any children of young people connected with your church, please:

  • Enjoy the colouring pages and use some of the prayers, Bible studies and other materials with your adult groups
  • Pray for those churches nearest to you which do, and the children and young people in your local community
  • Offer these resources to your nearest uniformed group or school
URC 2026 theme - Wise Words 4 All

Downloadable resources

The post Wise Words 4 All: 2026 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Go with Greta and Connect to Transcarpathia /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/go-with-greta-and-connect/go-with-greta-and-connect-to-transcarpathia/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:58:36 +0000 /?page_id=59206 The post Go with Greta and Connect to Transcarpathia appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Go with Greta and Connect to Transcarpathia

Welcome to our free online teaching resource to help children, young people and adults become more involved in mission, global development and social justice.

The latest region we’re visiting is Transcarpathia.

There are two elements to this resource, and each one is aimed at different age groups:

  • Go with Greta is the name of the materials aimed at children aged between 5 and 10
  • #Connect2 is the name of the resources aimed at older children in the 11 to 14 age range

For hard copies of the booklet, please email commitmentforlife@urc.org.uk giving your postal address and preferred number of copies.

URC resources on Transcarpathia

Tap the tabbed pages below to download the each booklet or the five individual sessions for each age group.

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These resources are aimed at children aged between 5 to 10 years of age and focus on Transcarpathia.

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 4mb) or download the individual sessions below.

Session 2 will help you identify what makes Transcarpathia so special.

Use this session to find out what life is like in this region of Ukraine.

Session 3 will help you see what childhood is like in a wartime country.

Use this session to discover the reality wartime Transcarpathia.

Session 4 will help you find out about how difficult it is for many people living in countries taken over by war.

Use this session to discover what it feels like to be displaced from your home.

Session 5 looks at how welcoming and accepting the people of Transcarpathia are.

Use this session to help spread the message that all are welcome.

Draw your series of sessions to a close by holding an intergenerational celebration to share what you’ve learned with others. Ideas for decorating your hall, for praying and singing and dancing together, for games to play, recipes to make, activities to do.

These free resources are suitable for the 11 to 14 age range and provide materials for teaching and exploring mission, global development and social justice over five sessions.  It includes suggestions for an international celebration.

It’s ideal for use by young people and those engaging with them in:

  • group weekly meetings to form the basis of a half-term’s session
  • holiday club gatherings
  • church events taking place over one or two days
  • face-to-face gatherings
  • online group activities

 Download or browse resources online

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 2 mb) or view and download all five individual sessions, below:

Session 2 will help you identify what makes Transcarpathia so special.

Use this session to find out what life is like in this region of Ukraine.

Session 3 will help you find out about how difficult it is for people of all ages living in countries taken over by war.

Use this session to discover what it feels like to be displaced from your home.

Session 4 will help you see the impact war has on young people from Transcarpathia.

Use this session to discover the reality of war and the effect it can have on young people.

Session 5 looks at how welcoming and accepting the people of Transcarpathia are.

Use this session to help spread the message that all are welcome.

All the images and a pack of recipes from both resources are available on request from children.youth@urc.org.uk

The post Go with Greta and Connect to Transcarpathia appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> All Are Welcome: 2025 Children’s and Youth Work Theme /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/all-are-welcome-2025-cyw-theme/ Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:59:13 +0000 /?page_id=57271 The post All Are Welcome: 2025 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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All Are Welcome: 2025 Children’s and Youth Work Theme

Resources designed to support all churches, regardless of whether they have children and young people in their midst, this resource considers how all are welcome in God’s kingdom.

  • How do we ensure that people don’t simply fit in, but truly know that they belong and are valued, just as they are, both within our church communities and within God’s family?
  • Who are the people on the margins whom we might wish to assure of a true and sincere welcome?
  • How might we take the message of welcome into our wider local community?

This resource contains opportunity to consider together as a congregation the welcome you might extend. We can’t do everything at once – at least not overnight – so why not choose one thing to work on and aim to do that well?

You’ll find a wide variety of ways to involve everyone, whatever their age or stage, across the year, and you will discover a wealth of material to enjoy with children, young people, young adults and in intergenerational contexts.

The resource headings for sections are only guides – please don’t limit yourself to those that most obviously fit your context as you will find great ideas you can adapt in other places.

If you don’t have any children of young people connected with your church, please:

  • Enjoy the colouring pages and use some of the prayers, Bible studies and other materials with your adult groups
  • Pray for those churches nearest to you which do, and the children and young people in your local community
  • Offer these resources to your nearest uniformed group or school
URC Children and Youth Work theme 2025 - All are welcome

Downloadable resources

The post All Are Welcome: 2025 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Story story story: 2024 Children’s and Youth Work Theme /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/story-story-story-2024-childrens-and-youth-work-theme/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 10:48:39 +0000 /?page_id=43504 The post Story story story: 2024 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Story, Story, Story : 2024 Children’s and Youth Work Theme

Resources for everyone engaging with children, young people and young adults.

This resource explores the theme of stories – our story, God’s story, the stories Jesus told – and how the three intermingle; with an exploration of five different genres of story for all ages as well as the usual variety of articles, puzzles, colouring pages and more.

You’ll find a wide variety of ways to involve everyone, whatever their age or stage, across the year, and you will discover a wealth of material to enjoy with children, young people, young adults and in intergenerational contexts.

The resource headings for sections are only guides – please don’t limit yourself to those that most obviously fit your context as you will find great ideas you can adapt in other places.

If you don’t have any children of young people connected with your church, please:

  • Enjoy the colouring pages and use some of the prayers, Bible studies and other materials with your adult groups
  • Pray for those churches nearest to you which do, and the children and young people in your local community
  • Offer these resources to your nearest uniformed group or school

Downloadable resources

The post Story story story: 2024 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Go with Greta and Connect to Zimbabwe /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/go-with-greta-and-connect/go-with-greta-and-connect-to-zimbabwe/ Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:48:24 +0000 /?page_id=41437 The post Go with Greta and Connect to Zimbabwe appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Go with Greta and Connect to Zimbabwe

Welcome to our free online teaching resource to help children, young people and adults become more involved in mission, global development and social justice.

The latest region we’re visiting is Zimbabwe.

There are two elements to this resource, and each one is aimed at different age groups:

  • Go with Greta is the name of the materials aimed at children aged between 5 and 10
  • #Connect2 is the name of the resources aimed at older children in the 11 to 14 age range

For hard copies of the booklet, please email commitmentforlife@urc.org.uk giving your postal address and preferred number of copies.

Tap the tabbed pages below to download the each booklet or the five individual sessions for each age group.

loader-icon

These resources are aimed at children aged between 5 to 10 years of age and focus on Zimbabwe.

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 2mb) or download the individual sessions below.

Session 2 will help you understand what everyday life is like for children living in Zimbabwe.

Use this session to find out what life is like and think about how your day is different to that of a child that might attend Falcon Primary school.

Session 3 will help you identify what makes Zimbabwe so special.

Use this session to discover the beauty, the  culture, the community and the people that make up Zimbabwe.

Session 4 will help you find out about how difficult it is for many people in Zimbabwe to get fresh water, to eat or to visit the doctor when they are sick.

Use this session to discover what can make daily life challenging for people in Zimbabwe.

Session 5 looks at how love is working in Zimbabwe, helping the people there change their lives.

Use this session to discover how the future of Zimbabwe is changing.

These free resources are suitable for the 11 to 14 age range and provide materials for teaching and exploring mission, global development and social justice over five sessions.  It includes suggestions for an international celebration.

It’s ideal for use by young people and those engaging with them in:

  • group weekly meetings to form the basis of a half-term’s session
  • holiday club gatherings
  • church events taking place over one or two days
  • face-to-face gatherings
  • online group activities

 Download or browse resources online

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 3 mb) or view and download all five individual sessions, below:

Session 2 will help you find out about daily life of young people in Zimbabwe and how they fit education in around other daily activities.

Use this session to explore how different, or how similar their life is compared to life in the UK.

Session 3 will help you understand what makes Zimbabwe amazing, including the natural beauty, the culture, dance and music and crafts.

Use this session to learn more about the things that matter to young people in Zimbabwe.

Session 4 examines the challenges and difficulties that young people face growing up in Zimbabwe.

Use this session to learn about the differences between the health systems in the UK and Zimbabwe, and learn about how the impact of the climate crisis is affecting young people.

Session 5 explores the ways in which support programmes are helping local communities in Zimbabwe.

Use this session to find out how the people of Zimbabwe are changing their future.

All the images and a pack of recipes from both resources are available on request from children.youth@urc.org.uk

Intergenerational celebration ideas

Draw your series of sessions to a close by holding an intergenerational celebration to share what you’ve learned with others. Ideas for decorating your hall, for praying and singing and dancing together, for games to play, recipes to make, activities to do.

The post Go with Greta and Connect to Zimbabwe appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Small Group Studies /your-faith/prayer-and-worship/small-group-studies/ Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:27:52 +0000 /?page_id=26264 The post Small Group Studies appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Small Group Study Material

From time to time we use material from the Daily Devotions to create small group study series. These can be used in person or online, over a series of weeks, or at a retreat or quiet day. Some are seasonal, others could be used at any point of the year.

They can be downloaded and freely used in the hope they will encourage local churches to nurture discipleship. We offer participants notes to download and some leaders’ notes to help facilitate a series.

Small group study materials Edgy Saints

A five-week series of small group studies looking at saints who, in different ways, were on the edge of their world. We look at people from the early Church, the high middle ages and from the 20th Century who each had an uncomfortable ministry which pushed at boundaries. Each week we look at three saints and there’s an image of them to focus minds, some information about them, a reflection and wee prayer. We suggest a hymn to end each week’s session.

The material has been devised by the Revd Professor Elizabeth Stuart, an Anglican priest and academic theologian at the University of Winchester, the Revd Dr Jack Dyce, a retired minister and Professor of Nordic Theology at the Scottish College, the Revd Dave Herbert, Moderator of the Northern Synod, the Revd Dr John McNeil Scott, Principal of the Scottish College and the Revd Andy Braunston, Minister of Digital Worship.

A series of four sessions which reflect on music and inclusion, our ecumenical calling, challenges in our life and mission, and musings about our future.

Each session has the opportunity to sing a hymn, normally written by a URC person, to read some Scripture together, to hear some reflections, to discuss questions arising from the reflections and to pray together.

We’re aided in our thinking by: Susan Durber, Darnette Whitby Reid, Andy Braunston, David Thompson, Lindsey Sanderson, James Breslin, Kirsty Thorpe, Fleur Houston, John Ellis, David Cornick, John Bradbury and Fiona Bennett.

Hymns, old and new, reflect a range of styles and themes but all reflect on our life and challenges.

The reflections on the O Antiphons were written by Elaine Colechin, Terry Hinks, Jonnie Hill, Sarah Moore, Helen Everard, Paul Simon, and Martin Knight. These reflections have been turned into a small group study series that might make good content for a church away day or for three mid-week sessions either in person or via Zoom. You’ll need Bibles, pens and paper for the last session and at each of the three sessions it’s suggest that verses of O Come O Come Emmanuel are sung so you might need a musician or someone with a good voice and accurate timing!

Many of our members don’t realise we have a Statement of Faith.  We use the longer Statement on the Nature, Faith and Order at ordinations and inductions of Elders and Ministers and at the Commissioning and Induction of Church Related Community Workers but we don’t often use Statements, or Affirmations, of Faith in worship and, when we do, we rarely use the URC one.   This small group study resource has been created from material written by the Rev’d Dr Susan Durber wrote for the URC’s Daily Devotions.   We’ve created three sessions, each starts with a hymn to a well known tune – even if the hymn isn’t well known – then there are some pieces to read and some questions for discussion.  In the last session you’re asked to, in groups, think about what you might put into a contemporary statement of faith for your church.  We hope these studies help enrich your discipleship.

Statement of Faith Booklet Format

Statement of Faith Large Print Format

Leaders' Notes Booklet Format

Leaders' Notes Large Print Format

In recent years theologians have started to look at how the world views of people who live in, and under, empires have affected how the Bible has been interpreted.  The Bible was formed, written, and edited in imperial ages - the mighty empires of Assyria, Babylon, Greece, and Rome were the background to all the stories, teaching, poetry, hopes, and despair of the Biblical writers.  When the Psalmist sat down and wept by the Rivers of Babylon the Jewish people were formed anew in the crucible of imperial oppression; when Jesus was nailed to the Cross he was executed in the way the Romans dealt with those it held in utter contempt.  Biblical writers struggled with the advantages and disadvantages of Empire - good roads and communications meant the Gospel could be spread whilst unimaginable oppression was cruel and anti-Christ.

We still live in empires, but our empires now are harder to see - just as, it is believed, goldfish don’t perceive the water in which they live.  We have world powers who seek to rule as ruthlessly as their imperial forebears, we have economic systems at least as cruel as the ancient institution of slavery and most URC folk live in lands which once ruled much of the globe.

The Biblical writers’ experience and critique of Empire has much to each us now.   A series of reflections published by the Daily Devotions project in 2019 is offered now as a small group resource.  The reflections were written by two URC ministers, the Revd Peter Cruchley,  Director of the Ʒҹ Council of Churches’ Commission for Mission and Evangelism, and the Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer for Cytun - Churches Together in Wales.  We hope these studies will help us reflect on the interaction between the ancient Biblical witness in the context of Empire and our own contemporary situation.

The material has been designed to deliver over 4 sessions – these might be mid-week group over four weeks or it might form the focus of an away day for a church group.  It could be delivered in person or on line.  These notes are to assist you prepare to lead a group.

Standing Up to Empire Booklet for participants
Standing Up to Empire Large Print for participants

Leaders Notes for Standing Up to Empire
Leaders Notes (Large Print) for Standing up to Empire

Vocation, or calling, are central facets of the life of the Church and, in our Reformed tradition we’re clear that call is heard in the context of our various Councils.  Local churches nurture and encourage leadership and stimulate discipleship.  Our Elders’ and Church Meetings discern calls to Eldership, Accredited Lay Preaching, Pioneer Ministry as well as Church Related Community Work and the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments – in their many forms.   These reflections, most of which were first disseminated through the URC’s Daily Devotions, help us think about a number of aspects of Call – I reflect on the fact that our Baptism is the basis of all our callings, Leo Roberts, the Children and Young People’s Officer for the North Western Synod reminds us of God’s universal call to serve in the world, Ruth Whitehead reminds us to ask who benefits from any particular sense of Call.  Some are called to the specific task of leadership and John Proctor reflects on what this might mean whilst Gordon Woods reflects on the ministry of Eldership.  I consider the way in which we discern in the URC – never a personal thing alone, always a discernment task done together.  Susan Durber examines the fact that we are all called in multiple ways and John Ellis helps us consider the call to let go and move on.  Finally I reflect on the different ways in which the URC offers a variety of recognised ministries.  We hope that these studies will help you focus on your calling; maybe you are exploring a call to join the Church, to become an Elder, or to candidate for ordained or commissioned ministry.  Maybe you already serve the Church in some way and wonder how that role may develop or if it’s time to let go of that role.  Whatever your situation we hope and pray that you will listen and discern more fully your own vocation.

The material has been designed to deliver over 3 sessions – these might be mid-week group over four weeks or it might form the focus of an away day for a church group.  It could be delivered in person or on line.

 

Exploring Call Booklet for Participants (482kb)
Exploring Call Large Print for Participants (535kb)

Exploring Call Leaders' Notes Booklet (390kb)
Exploring Call Leaders' Notes Large Print (334kb)

The Revd Dr Susan Durber designed this five-session course for small groups in local churches who want to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the United Reformed Church’s traditions and ethos which are expressed in our Statement on the Nature, Faith and Order.

Statement on the Nature Faith and Order Course (252kb)

The URC’s Church Life Review Group, in thinking about where the URC’s financial resources are located and how they are utilised, became aware of the necessity of reflecting upon our theology (or theologies) of money. A review of General Assembly resolutions on the topic revealed that we have been more vocal on how other people and other institutions should use their money than on how we should view and use our own!

The Church Life Review Group believe that a refreshed theology of money will resource our various Councils as we make decisions together. It seemed particularly opportune to be carrying out this work given the current (2023) cost of living crisis and global economic situation.

The following reflections may help stimulate much thought and debate across the URC.

Study Materials

The post Small Group Studies appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Love Is…: 2023 Children’s and Youth Work Theme /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/love-is-2023-childrens-and-youth-work-theme/ Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:40:46 +0000 /?page_id=26118 The post Love Is…: 2023 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Love is…. : 2023 Children’s and Youth Work Theme

Resources for everyone engaging with children, young people and young adults.

This resource explores the theme of Love is…. , based on 1 Corinthians 13 and the commandments to love God, others and ourselves.

You’ll find a wide variety of ways to involve everyone, whatever their age or stage, across the year, and you will discover a wealth of material to enjoy with children, young people, young adults and in intergenerational contexts.

The resource headings for sections are only guides – please don’t limit yourself to those that most obviously fit your context as you will find great ideas you can adapt in other places.

If you don’t have any children of young people connected with your church, please:

  • Enjoy the colouring pages and use some of the prayers, Bible studies and other materials with your adult groups
  • Pray for those churches nearest to you which do, and the children and young people in your local community
  • Offer these resources to your nearest uniformed group or school
Love Is Youth Work Theme booklet image

Downloadable resources

The post Love Is…: 2023 Children’s and Youth Work Theme appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Developing your faith /your-faith/developing-your-faith/ Tue, 29 Nov 2022 09:05:53 +0000 /?page_id=25139 Developing your faith (discipleship) is learning that enables us to love God, self and neighbour in order to grow as people of God. It is a journey that lasts our whole life and involves our whole being

The post Developing your faith appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Developing your faith

Developing your faith (discipleship) is learning that enables us to love God, self and neighbour in order to grow as people of God. It is a journey that lasts our whole life and involves our whole being

It is a journey we make as individuals and as churches, and helps us adapt, change and grow in a changing world, with love at the heart of all we do. This is enabled in many different contexts and ways, seeking to make learning as accessible as possible, including funding.

Stepwise

Stepwise is the discipleship development programme from the URC. Stepwise is for everyone: all ages, shapes and sizes – including you!

Visit the URC Learning Hub, the home for all the URC blended learning and self-access online programmes

Church Leadership Programme

A comprehensive programme to refresh experienced lay and ordained leaders in authentic leadership, helping church leaders to develop external skills

Three men in a library looking at a book

Education for Ministry

Advice, information and guidance for students on the three phases of Education for Ministry

Preparing to lead worship

Guidance for those exploring a call to become either a Locally Recognised Worship Leader or an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher

Resources to develop your faith

Resource Centres for Learning

Find out about the URC’s engagement in adult discipleship learning with the Northern College, the Scottish College, and Westminster College

Metal toolbox

Mission and discipleship toolbox

A resource to help you explore mission and discipleship, as well as share God’s vision of justice and love

Synod training contacts

Find out who to contact about life-long learning and discipleship at the URC

Accredited Lay Preacher Grant

Find out more about the Accredited Lay Preacher Grant and how to apply for it

Discipleship Development Fund

Find out more about the Discipleship Development Fund and how to apply for it

Authorisation for support of Education for Ministry Phases 2 & 3

Find out what support is available and download the application form

Related content

Newbigin Pioneering Hub

The Newbigin Pioneering Hub is an initiative which will offer spare-time training in pioneer ministry for those starting out and a community for pioneers within the URC and beyond

Seedlings growing in pots

Fresh Expressions

Fresh Expressions of church are new types of church that tend to (though not always) develop outside of church buildings, amid contemporary culture and in ecumenical settings

Two people standing together in conversation

More about ministry

Advice, guidance and support for people wanting to find out more about ministry or thinking about taking an ordained or leadership role in the URC

The post Developing your faith appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> URC Prayer Handbook /your-faith/prayer-and-worship/urc-prayer-handbook/ Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:23:30 +0000 /?page_id=25158 Your prayers for the 2024 United Reformed Church Prayer Handbook, with the theme Full to the Brim, are now invited.

The post URC Prayer Handbook appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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URC Prayer Handbook

The 2026 URC Prayer Handbook – Touching God

The prayers in this 2026 edition come from many and diverse writers, both from within and beyond the United Reformed Church. All of them are shaped by scripture; the lectionary-based prayers in the first part, but no less the prayers for worship together and private devotion in the second part. Many relate to the theme for the year, reflecting on times when God comes close to us and when we, in prayer and in daily life, may come close to God. They have been composed thoughtfully, edited carefully and presented beautifully in the hope that they will find a ready home, whether from a lectern or at a bedside. May they provide words with which to pray, so that God’s loving touch may be known.

Thank you

Thank you for your prayers  for the 2026 Prayer Handbook.

Prayers 2027 Prayer Handbook

We have now received prayers for the 2027 United Reformed Church Prayer Handbook on the theme of A larger belonging, thank you to all who submitted.

We will bring you news of the 2027 Handbook later in the year.

The post URC Prayer Handbook appeared first on United Reformed Church.

]]> Go with Greta and Connect to IOPT /your-faith/children-young-people/children-youth-work/go-with-greta-and-connect/go-with-greta-and-connect-to-iopt/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:05:35 +0000 /?page_id=14584 The post Go with Greta and Connect to IOPT appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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Go with Greta and Connect to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory

Welcome to our free online teaching resource to help children, young people and adults become more involved in mission, global development and social justice.

“Must-Read” Information for leaders: This background history and guidance from the URC will help you share Go with Greta and #Connect2 confidently and appropriately with children and young people.

There are two elements to this resource, and each one is aimed at different age groups:

  • Go with Greta is the name of the materials aimed at children aged between 5 and 10
  • #Connect2 is the name of the resources aimed at older children in the 11 to 14 age range

For hard copies of the booklet, please email commitmentforlife@urc.org.uk giving your postal address and preferred number of copies.

Tap the tabbed pages below to download the each booklet or the five individual sessions for each age group.

loader-icon

These resources are aimed at children aged between 5 to 10 years of age and focus on IOPT.

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 6mb) or download the five individual sessions below.

There is also a supplement to help you adapt the sessions for the younger children in the age range.

Session 2 will help you find out why the region is known as the “Holy Land” and why it is special to Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Use this session to think about how different faiths can live together.

Session 3 will help you hear the voices of Israeli and Palestinian children as they talk about how the conflict affects their daily life.

Use this session to think about how normal days are the same and how they differ for Palestinian and Israeli children and children in Britain.

Session 4 will help you find out about walls, checkpoints and water control and how these affect some children in the occupied territory.

Use this session to think about freedom and safety and what access to water feels like.

Session 5 will help you find out about what people within IOPT, both Israelis and Palestinians, and outside are doing to promote peace. Read about Sindyanna, (a fair-trade olive oil producer staffed by Jewish and Arab women) and Oasis of Peace school.

Use this session to think about peace, how we can build peace and break down barriers in our own community and how we can help IOPT break down barriers too.

If you are experiencing difficulty adapting the sessions for the younger members of your group, here are some suggestions to help you

Supplement to the five sessions for younger children (PDF|628kb)

These resources aimed at older children aged between 11 to 14 years of age and focus on IOPT.

You can download the whole booklet (PDF | 7mb) or download the five individual sessions below.

Session 2 will help you discover why IOPT is known as the Holy Land and is important to all the Abrahamic religions.

Use session 2 to think about the role of religion in the current situation and how Jews, Christians and Muslims might live side by side.

Session 3 will help you discover a bit about education and what might affect education for young people in IOPT, about access to water supplies, freedom of movement and the separation barrier.

Use session 3 to think about how barriers might be broken down between different people and also about what you take for granted in your daily life.

Session 4 will help you find out about the employment options for Palestinians and the poverty many experience, about National Conscription for Israeli young people, and about the housing challenges in the occupied territory.

Use session 4 to think about what ‘home’ means and also what ‘hope’ means. Try a recipe from the region using Palestinian olive oil.

Session 5 will help you discover more about some of the organisations working towards peace both within and beyond IOPT such as Sindyanna (fair trade olive oil company), the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI), and Solutions Not Sides.

Use session 5 to think about what peace is and what we can do to promote it from the UK.

This document outlines the current situation in IOPT, some of the background leading up to it, and the United Reformed Church's response.

Pre-reading: information for leaders (PDF | 5mb)

All the images and a pack of recipes from both resources are available on request from children.youth@urc.org.uk

Intergenerational celebration ideas

Draw your series of sessions to a close by holding an intergenerational celebration to share what you’ve learned with others. Ideas for decorating your hall, for praying and singing and dancing together, for games to play, recipes to make, activities to do.

The post Go with Greta and Connect to IOPT appeared first on United Reformed Church.

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