Explore the links between Christianity and the environment and ecology with children and young people. This module is packed full with ideas and activities to introduce ecology and creation care in children's work or clubs in church, with uniformed organisations and schools.
Choose a resource from the list below.
A Rocha UK have resources for work with children included in the packs that they have been producing annually. This was initially called 'Conservation Sunday' but is now 'Environment Sunday'. The resources can be used at any time!
The Environment Sunday pack for 2007 is called 'The Heat is On' and contains many resources suitable for use with children, including a presentation on climate change for use in primary assemblies. And you can even order online.
Christian Ecology Link have service suggestions for LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal friendly, Fairtrade) suitable for use with children and young people.
Eco-Congregation Scotland have a resource list produced by Forth Environment Link which covers a number of areas, including work with children. This is a list of what they have available for Scottish churches to borrow, but it might give ideas of things to look out for if you are wanting to purchase some materials (see pages 5,6,9,10 in the Word document)
The Religious Education and Environment Programme (REEP) has developed resources linking many faiths and care for creation for primary age and for secondary age students, and for book list for different Key Stages.
Scripture Union and A Rocha have produced jointly a resource for holiday clubs called WasteWatchers.
This is a series of books written by Graham to introduce children to animals essential in the organic garden. They are delightfully illustrated. Cost £3.25 each.
For details, contact:
Graham Gooderham
33 Abbey Croft
Pershore
WR10 1JQ
Children’s show: this is a script for a fun, interactive presentation to help children in schools and Sunday schools to understand the balance between ‘Fair Food’ and ‘Food Miles’. It is adaptable for different ages. Go to this page on the Church of Scotland site, and then scroll down a bit. You can then download the resources and an activity sheet.
Jackie and Alan Gear used to run Ryton Organic Gardens (HDRA). They are Christians and have produced an excellent poster and activity sheet designed for use in RE lessons for Key Stage 2. They are also suitable for use in children's groups in churches.
To obtain a pack, contact:
Jackie Gear MBE
23 Styleman Way
Snettisham
Norfolk
PE31 7NT
Have a look at Tearfund children's resources for loads of resources for children. Tearfund's main campaign currently is climate change.
Tearfund pentathlon - 5 online games to get the climate change message across.
Are you looking for somewhere to take your children/young people away for a weekend? Ringsfield Hall is a wonderful place of hospitality, prayer and nurture. Groups are free to follow their own programme, or you can have sessions lead on spirituality, creativity, fun, team building. They are committed to teaching children about earth keeping and creation care in a holistic and creative way.
Contact Ross Ashley or Chris Walton on 01502 713020 or email them at info@ringsfield-hall.co.uk.
Reflection Gardens, aims to make connections between issues in ecology and Christian beliefs, and to present these in a visual/physical way. It runs programmes, courses and retreats for various groups including youth groups. It is situation on the edge of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, some of the old woodland in England. Reflections is run by Revd Christine and Mr John Polhill.
Next door is a large camp site for young people's groups, with a variety of camping options, see http://www.beaudesert.org/.
Would you like to run an environment club? A Rocha UK have resources on a number of themes to help you. Each theme consists of four to seven one-hour sessions, exploring environmental issues that are relevant to children. There are session plans, activity sheets, games, quizzes and more. Aimed at primary school teachers, these could easily be adapted for use in a church setting.
The following themes can be downloaded free of charge:
Enjoy!
Eco-congregation
England & Wales
Groundwork Sheffield
The Innovation Centre
217 Portobello
Sheffield S1 4DP
t: 0114 263 6421
e: ecocongregation@arocha.org
A project of A Rocha UK
13 Avenue Road
Southall
Middlesex
UB1 3BL
t: 0208 574 5935
e: uk@arocha.org
w: www.arocha.org.uk
Registered Charity no. 1089276
Module 4 - Children and Creation Care
