SUNI - Latest News

Virtue Reborn

Fri, 05 March 2010 14:42:00 GMT

New release from Tom Wright:

Virtue Reborn

What am I here for?

How should I behave?

Tom Wright tackles this fundamental challenge for Christians with characteristic clarity and verve. Following on from his popular best-selling books Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope he sees the goal in terms of the whole new creation, with humans renewed to look after it.

"The basic point is this: Christian life in the present, with its responsibilities and particular callings, is to be understood and shaped in relation to the final goal for which we have been made and redeemed. The better we understand that goal, the better we shall understand the path towards it."

Wright explores the way to become fully human - and to discover an authenticity, and a conformity with God's purposes, which is available no other way.

Now available from the Resource Centre & Bookshop

T: 028 9073 4360

E: resources@suni.co.uk

Book of the Month

Mon, 22 February 2010 10:36:00 GMT

Resource Centre & Bookshop
Book of the month

Come & Follow Jesus
Produced by SU Australia the book is all about practical ways to share your faith with children. Although some of it is directed at Australian culture, the themes and ideas come across well.

"this book is an essential tool for any Christian working with children."
Paul Cameron (SUNI Primary Schools Co-ordinator)

RSP £6.99
February price £5.95 (15% discount)

The Resource Centre

Fri, 12 February 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The Resource Centre provided the bookstall at the Kingdom Come conference at the beginning of February. If you attended and had an opportunity to browse why not call in to the shop at 157-9 Albertbridge Road or check out www.suni.co.uk/resourcecentre ?

We specialise in:
Bible Reading Notes
Sunday School materials
Children's & Youth resources
Bibles & Commentaries
General books / CDs / DVDs

So whatever your role in the Church...children's worker or youth worker, minister or Church member, parent or child...we have something worth having a look at.

Parents Surviving the Teenage Years

Fri, 12 February 2010 14:51:00 GMT

Parents in Londonderry and Belfast will get the inside track on how to get their child - and them - through the teenage years. Family expert Rob Parsons will be in Londonderry on Monday 22 February and Belfast on Tuesday 23 February to present Teenagers! What Every Parent Has to Know.

Rob says, "Today's teenagers are experiencing things that previous generations didn't - like the growth of technology, an expanding debt culture, the incredible pressure to be thin if you are a girl or muscular if you are a boy. These days it isn't enough to be an ace footballer - you have to be a good-looking ace footballer. All these pressures make life much harder for teens and their parents."

Teenagers! What Every Parent Has to Know will include:

Understanding what's going on in your teenager's brain
Why reading your child's school report can fool you
Keys for dealing with the really testing teenager
The big issues: sex, drugs, self-esteem
Why teenage boys sometimes act as though they hate their mothers
Danger signs for teenage high achievers

The event runs from 7.30pm - 10pm. For further information or to book, call (028) 9262 8050 or visit online at www.careforthefamily.org.uk/teenagers

E3 Ballymena Fundraiser

Fri, 22 January 2010 11:28:00 GMT

Ballymena E3 are having an fund-raising night on Monday the 8th February at 7.15pm in the Happy Villa Chinese Restaurant, Galgorm.

The night includes a two course chinese meal, table quiz and an opportunity to hear some of the stories and about the project's progress so far.

Tickets are £20 per person, so why not get together with a few friends and make up a quiz team for a night of food fun and fellowship.

For a ticket contact Rachel, Ballymena E3 Schools Worker
Email:rachel@suni.co.uk Tel:028 2563 9193

Kingdom Come

Mon, 25 January 2010 13:13:00 GMT

Next Monday, 1 February, sees the start of Kingdom Come at the Spires Conference Centre in Belfast. This is an event organised by Evangelical Alliance and is aimed for all those in church leadership - ministers, youth workers, elders deacons, youth leaders, lay leaders and anyone else who feels they need to benefit from the variety of ministry on offer.

One of the most respected evangelical leaders in the world today - Gordon MacDonald has agreed to be the keynote speaker. There will also be a team of speakers to help wrestle with issues following three main streams - personal spirituality, leadership and church.

For more information on the event visit www.kingdomcomeireland.com

E3 North Coast

Fri, 22 January 2010 11:23:00 GMT

SU staff have had the privilege of working in the Special Needs unit in Ballysally Primary this week, beginning a three week series of lessons looking at stories from Luke's Gospel. Sessions are very practical and are aimed at developing social skills such as building relationships and making choices; at the end of the three weeks each child will take home a copy of Luke's Gospel.

Rick and Jenny have been working with Year 9 in Dalriada taking RE lessons on the life of Jesus. It is a real privilege to meet with these pupils and to be involved in school life in this way; we're excited about the opportunity to share God's Word there.

The North Coast E3 prayer meeting will take place on January 28th 2010 in the Sandel Cantre from 7 - 8 pm. It is open to anyone - so please come and join with us as we lift our schools before God.

Back to Porridge

Fri, 15 January 2010 16:11:00 GMT

This new term began for Paul with an assembly for P1-P2 children in Ballyclare Primary School. The children joined in with the story of Jesus as a boy being lost and found in the temple. They then thought briefly about what is involved in growing up and about how good it is to know that Jesus was once a child and that like Him we can grow up knowing God as our heavenly Father. ‘A great way to start the new year!' commented one teacher afterwards. Do remember the Schools staff in your prayers as they take up the many opportunities they have throughout the year to open the Bible and share God's love with children and young people in lessons, assemblies and SU meetings.

Leaders' Weekend

Fri, 18 December 2009 16:33:00 GMT

This weekend will see all Camp and Mission leaders, associate leaders, section leaders and secretaries descend on Castlewellan Castle for the annual Leader's Weekend. The theme of the weekend is ‘Raising the bar in Biblical engagement' with the main teaching sessions being led by Helen Warnock. Seminar speakers will be looking at ‘Raising the bar in Biblical engagement with your team' and ‘Raising the bar in Biblical engagement with children and young people.' This will be a great chance for leaders to relax, be taught and inspired, spend time with God, have a laugh and chat with other leaders, section leaders and secretaries.

Resource Centre January Sale

Wed, 06 January 2010 11:31:00 GMT

Starts

Monday 4th January 2010

9:30am

Special offers with up to 50%off selected lines

Are you Busy in Summer 2010

Fri, 18 December 2009 16:32:00 GMT

Camps and Missions online applications are now open for Summer 2010!!

Will you choose to laugh with others, love children and young people and choose to learn more about Christ and what He's done for us? Will you choose to serve others, shine light into dark places and share the Good News of Jesus with children and young people across the country? Will you choose to grow in your faith, give of your time and energy and choose to go where God calls you?

Will you choose SU Camps and Missions?

Each summer 5000 children and young people and 850 volunteers choose SU Camps and Missions...will you be one of them?

Click here to apply online

BIble Reading Notes

Fri, 18 December 2009 16:42:00 GMT

Are you like many people when it comes to reading your Bible? Full of the right intentions but struggling to make it happen on a regular basis?

The Resource Centre & Bookshop carries notes for all ages (and not just those published by SU either). Why not place an order with us and we'll mail the notes out to your home each quarter? And while doing that, have you thought about giving a year's subscription to Bible reading notes to a friend as a gift?

Contact resources@suni.co.uk or phone us on 9073 4360.

National Conference?

Fri, 18 December 2009 16:13:00 GMT

The Schools Department are dedicated to resourcing and encouraging SU groups that meet all across the country. We want to serve and help leaders as best we can. Sometimes that takes the form of face to face visits with your group, or offering training to your pupils, or firing good resources your way, or simply a listening ear on the end of a phone.

But we wonder if we can be doing more. And so we are in the early stages of thinking and planning for a National Conference dedicated for leaders and teachers within SU groups across Primary, Secondary and Special schools. We are excited about getting everyone together for some inspirational teaching, some big picture thinking, as well as lots of nuts and bolts and practical ideas to grab and use.

New Key Stage 3 RE Lessons

Wed, 25 November 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Leanne and Rick recently finished a set of the new Key Stage 3 RE lessons with a Year 9 group in Knockbreda High. The 3 sessions based around the life of Jesus were well received by all the pupils...and enjoyed too!!

Dunclug College SU Weekend

Wed, 25 November 2009 11:54:00 GMT

Along with Rick, our new E3 Ballymena Schools Worker Rachel Sheppard is taking part in her first SU weekend at the end of November. Dunclug College SU have invited them both along to spend time with their group, and lead the main bible sessions.

Special Saturday Opening!

Tue, 24 November 2009 15:01:00 GMT

The Resource Centre & Bookshopwill be open from 9:30 - 1:30 on Saturday 5 December. If you are looking for gifts for the family, that Francine Rivers book that your Mum really wants, the new Chris Tomlin CD or small Christmas gifts for your Sunday School class - come along and do some shopping with Scripture Union.

REMEMBER: all profits made by the Resource Centre & Bookshop go back into supporting our schools, camps & missions work.

SUNI Schools' Sport Project

Fri, 20 November 2009 13:11:00 GMT

After a couple of months of preparation the new SUNI Schools' Sport Project has begun in two schools. Kyle Alexander, who runs the project explains.

"Give thanks for a great start to the SU Schools' Sport Project in Lowood and Carr's Primary Schools - two euthusiastic and energy-filled groups! It has been great to have the privilege at coaching and opening God's Word with them"

Youth Council 2009

Tue, 17 November 2009 14:48:00 GMT

Youth Council 13-14 November Mullerton House, Annalong

Youth Council came into being 3 years ago and is made up of a group of 16-26 year olds from across the country, coming from a variety of backgrounds and interests and seeks to allow this age group have a voice into SUNI and make a significant impact on the ministry of SUNI, shaping what and how we work.

The focus this year was how we better strengthen our links with churches recognising that the very aims of SUNI begin with the words ‘working with churches' and we are committed to this as well as realising that we could do this much better. We had a great weekend of discussion with good practical ideas coming to the fore yet alongside this I think all of us left the weekend inspired about what the Church is and the privileged place each of us has as part of God's body.

E3 Week of Prayer

Mon, 09 November 2009 10:14:00 GMT

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

James 5 v 16 (NLT)

This week we are focusing our prayers on our E3 work in Bangor and Antrim. Over the last year we have been working hard at trying to raise the money to employ a full-time schools worker in each of these areas. We have already raised a significant amount through the generous donations of individuals and churches in these areas however we have also a shortfall that we need to raise before we can advertise the position. As we stand in prayer together in faith believe that our God can move mountains and that are prayers will produce wonderful results! To download our prayer news please click here or to receive our prayer news via email please email ruth@suni.co.uk Thank you for your support.

Colin

Royal Mail Strikes Affects Prayer Focus

Fri, 30 October 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Due to the Royal Mail staff's industrial action November/December Prayer Focus may be late in arriving to your doorstep. Please accept our apologies for this. You can the see the daily Prayer Focus point at the side of this page or you can download a copy of the November/December Prayer Focus here . If you haven't received your copy in the post by the end of next week please let us know by email or calling the office on 028 9045 4806.

European Pray Day for Schools

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:56:00 GMT

This year's European Pray Day for schools is in less than a month on Tuesday 17 November. Will you be taking part?

If you haven't heard about it before, this is a day set aside every year for people across Europe to focus on praying for their schools, with events taking
place right across Europe. You'll find more information at www.prayday.eu
The day is for all types of school from nursery to sixth form, pupils, school staff, governors, parents, church leaders, youth workers and anyone else concerned about young people, anyone who believes that God hears our prayers.

E3 Ballymena

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:51:00 GMT

We are excited about what God is doing through the E3 Schools Project in Ballymena.
Over the last few weeks Rachel has been meeting with Principals of both primary and post
primary schools in the area and excited about the developments over the next few months.
If you would be Interested in finding out more about the E3 Schools Project in Ballymena, or your a teacher and would like some help with SU groups, assemblies, RE Lessons or Resources, contact Rachel Sheppard E3 Schools Worker Ballymena: rachel@suni.co.uk or on 02890 454806

Building Blocks...

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:49:00 GMT

This year's Building Blocks children's ministry conference takes place on Saturday 28^th November from 10.00am until 4.30pm in Orangefield Presbyterian Church. This is designed to be a day of inspiration and encouragement for all who work with children in church, in school or in the family.

This year's keynote speaker is Kathryn Copsey - founder and Project Leader for CURBS (Children in URBan Situations) which provides resources and training for urban children's workers. Her particular areas of interest are children's spirituality and developmental issues and she has written From the Ground Up (BRF) which explores the spiritual world of the child.

As usual a wide range of seminars will be on offer dealing with a range of practical topics and catering for all levels of experience. For more information visit: www.buildingblocks.ie.

Need a Bookstall?

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:47:00 GMT

Autumn seems to have become the bookstall season in the Resource Centre! There have been bookstalls for teachers groups, for children's workers in churches and a number on Sunday mornings.

Particularly in the run up to the new year it's a good time for churches to be looking at daily Bible Reading guides and these are stressed as often as possible.

If you have an event where you think a bookstall might be helpful or if you want advice on encouraging Bible notes then please contact Michael at the Resource Centre

Do you remember summer 09?

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:44:00 GMT

We're now into October and nearly seven weeks since the last mission finished. Summer 2009 was a great summer full of encouraging stories of lives changed and eyes opened to the Gospel. July and August saw 17 camps and 19 missions running with a new mission in Loughbrickland and two new camps (Football Camp and Senior Scottish Camp on Tour). This summer also saw SU link up with The Big House to run a camp for young people with special needs.

Although days of games on the beach, canoeing, memory verses, football, bible studies, drama, messy games and craft may seem like a distant memory the impact of Camps and Missions will last a lot longer. So why not check out the Camps and Missions pages and remind yourselves of a little of what went on in July and August and if you weren't involved this year check them out and join us next year.

Irish Society Primary SU

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:46:00 GMT

A new SU group began on 29th September in Irish Society Primary school in Coleraine. Give thanks for Stephanie and Ruth who are leading the group - pray that God will inspire and energise them as they plan and prepare. Pray that this group will grow and that God will speak to pupils through all that happens there.

E3 Antrim

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:38:00 GMT

Give thanks for everyone who attended the Antrim E3 Teachers Event and Vision Night in Starbucks Junction 1. We are excited about the developments and what God is doing in the Antrim area already through churches, schools, teachers, and young people and we are excited about the Future of the E3 Schools Project there! Please continue to remember the project in prayer.

ten:10

Wed, 30 September 2009 18:36:00 GMT

The new ten:10 bible programme has launched in Secondary School SU groups. Uptake has been high for these 3 SU Sessions but get in touch with Rick (rick@suni.co.uk ) if you would like to see it brought to your school SU group. Providing pupils with follow up devotional materials, ten:10 is all focused on exploring the life that God offers His disciples, particular drawing from the story of Daniel.

SUNI AGM 09

Wed, 30 September 2009 16:51:00 GMT

On Tuesday 29 September SUNI held there AGM.

Often those 3 letters - A G M - seem to encourage people to stay at home rather than attend but we have found the stories from the last 12 months encouraging and inspiring.

So as this small group of Council and members met it was good to be reminded of

the developments across our schools ministry - with new RE lessons and resources for Special need schools
how much teenagers at our camps appreciated the help and support of books recommended by their leaders and provided by our Resource centre.
the good news we have been sharing over the summer through our camps and missions
and the faithful and crucial financial support of so many individuals

The work has been going well over the last 12 months and as plans are in place for the next year we look forward to see how God will use us in the year ahead.

Focusfest CD 2009

Fri, 18 September 2009 11:37:00 GMT

The Focusfest 2009 CD will be available in the Resource Centre from end September. Contact resources@suni.co.uk to pre-order