Day 14

It is hard to believe we are a fortnight into SU Summer 2010. Some camps and missions have been and gone, others are gearing up for their week or fortnight still to come. Already we're starting to hear great stories about children meeting God for the first time and lives being changed. 

To keep up to date with  all the ongoings on over the summer why not check out our Camps + Missions Facebook page or follow us on twitter.

If you are one of our volunteers or you've been to one of our camps or missions over the summer why not email us to let us know what you thought or to share any exciting stories. You can email me at jonathan@suni.co.uk . It would be great to hear your stories - some may even end up on this website. 

5, 4, 3, 2, 1-GO!

45 Days

35 Camps & Missions

900 Volunteers

5,500 Children & Young People

One Purpose

To make God's Good News known

SUNI Summer 2010

Summer Launch Night

SUNI Summer Launch NIght 2010 

Friday 25 June

7.45pm

Carnmoney Presbyterian Church

Come and join us for a night of prayer, praise and commissioning, as all 900 volunteers get ready to head out across the country to serve this summer.

For all team leaders, volunteers, family, friends and supporters.

Administrative Assistant

This is a crucial and supportive role to our ministry; this individual will be the voice on many phone calls and the link across departments, providing admin support to staff and projects. It is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised, effective and personable administrator to join our team.

Contact Jonathan Parkes for job descriptions and application forms.

Closing date for all applications is Friday 25 June at 12 noon.

Scripture Union, 157 Albertbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 4PS,

Re:source

 This brand new initiative from our Schools Team will take place on Saturday 28th August at Belfast Bible College. A day to inspire and equip all teachers or volunteers involved in leading SU groups in Primary, Secondary or Special Schools across Northern Ireland. We are very excited about the potential of this and are glad to welcome David Shepherd of Belfast Bible College as our Keynote speaker. The day will also contain workshops, exhibitions, stories and resources to help you lead your group effectively.

Download the application form here and return it to us asap .

E3:Vision

Its not 3D vision you want its E3: Vision...
Calling all parents & grandparents, church leaders, teachers and senior pupils

Presentations include:
Rick Hill - SU Secondary Schools Worker
Colin Stitt - E3 Development Co-ordinator
Leanne Dunlop - E3 Schools Worker East Belfast.
Plus local teachers and pupils

When: Thursday 3rd June 2010
Time: 7.30 - 9.00pm
Where: The Stables, Enniskillen
Cost :None - just your time!

For more information contact:
Colin Stitt
E3 Development Co-ordinator

Scripture Union Northern Ireland
157 Albertbridge Road
Belfast BT5 4PS

T: 028 9045 4806

Are you a follower?

From the Tuesday 1 June you can follow all the ongoings of Scripture Union Northern via Twitter. 

You be be able to follow us at www.twitter.com/light2liveby  

Ballymena E3 Fund-Raiser

‘Tips from the Potting Shed'

Ballymena E3 are having a gardening E3 fundraiser on Thursday 13^th May in 1^st Broughshane PCI Church halls at 7.30pm.

Keith Crawford (Gardener's Corner, BBC radio Ulster) will be giving advice and demonstrating how to get your garden ready for the Summer as well as answering your questions and giving you the chance to purchase some plants.  Refreshments will be provided.

So whether you're a gardening expert or just a beginner come along to pick up a few tips and hear what's been happening in Ballymena's schools this term.

Suggested donation £5 (payable at the door)

For more information contact Rachel, Ballymena E3 Schools Worker email: rachel@suni.co.uk or tel: 028 2563 9193

Recommend Titles

  SU has three books for those big times in education:

Get Ready Go!

For children starting P1

It's Your Move!

For older kids moving out of primary & into secondary level education

Life Actually :-)

For teens moving into 6^th Form

All these titles are available from the Resource Centre & Bookshop

T:   (028) 9073 4360

E:  resources@suni.co.uk

SUNI Schools' PodCasts

We have relaunched our Schools Podcast over at http://scriptureunionni.podbean.com with new episodes now available online. Pop over there to have a listen to these short devotions full of interviews, music, stories and bible passages.

Making Your Mark 2010

Registration for our Making Your Mark Pupil Leadership weekend is now open. It promises to be an action packed weekend crammed full of worship, teaching, workshops and banter. An ideal opportunity for pupil leaders, committees and senior pupils to be inspired and equipped for the year ahead of them in SU.

The early bird rate of £46 is open until the end of May, so make sure you get in on time.

Download the application form here .

"Honestly the best youth weekend I've ever been on..." 

Briony Conway,  Rainey Endowed  

Resource Centre's Book of the Month

Karen Kingsbury: Take Three

The latest book in the "Above The Line" series.

RSP £9.99
April Offer: £8.50 (15% off

New East Belfast Camp

Last opportunity for P6-P7 pupils from East Belfast schools to apply for the FIRST EVER East Belfast Primary Camp!  

14th-16th May, Ganaway Activity Centre, Millisle.

A weekend of fun, games, craft, canoeing, singing, Bible stories and lots more!!
Download the attached letter and application form for more details or contact Leanne - leanne@suni.co.uk

Are you Antrim's E3 Schools' Worker?

We are looking for a person to serve the local schools community by involvement in lessons, assemblies, SU groups; working alongside pupils and teachers and empowering local churches to engage more effectively in their schools.

Applicants should be in sympathy with the ethos of Scripture Union.

Contact Jonathan Parkes for job description and application form.

Closing date for receipt of all applications is 7 May at 12 noon.

Antrim E3 Schools' Worker

Rocky's Plaice

New for 2010, Rocky's Plaice is a complete holiday club programme based on the stories of Peter from Acts. Five session outlines, together with two Sunday services, make up the programme. Also included is practical help, advice and information about running a holiday club: legal requirements, health and safety, safeguarding children, publicity and information on how you can maintain contact with holiday-club children throughout the year. £9.99

Rocky's Menu (10 pack)

10 pack of Rocky's Menu, an accompaniment to Rocky's Plaice holiday club for children aged 8 to 11. It contains all the Bible text needed for the club, along with Bible exploration activities to be used in the small-group times at the club. There are souvenir pages too, where children can personalise the book by recording the best bits of Rocky's Plaice and collecting the signatures of the people in their group. £10.00

Rocky's Plaice DVD

Five storytelling episodes retelling the Bible stories from the Rocky's Plaice holiday club programme. Each is based at Rocky's Fish and Chip shop, where Rocky and his assistant Squish remember the Bible stories for Chip Ship Church. Also contains a training feature on leading small groups of children, songs and PDFs of artwork and forms to help you run a successful holiday club. £19.99

For more information:

T         028 9073 4360

E         resources@suni.co.uk

Are you our next E3 Schools' Worker?

Camps + Missions Deadlines

Camps and Missions July closing date - Wednesday 7 April

The closing date for applications for Camp and Mission teams starting in July is just over a week away and we're still looking for volunteers.

So are you still not sure what to do this summer? Have you a free week or two that you're itching to fill? Would you love to spend time sharing the Good News of Jesus with children and young people across the country? If so then get applying!

For more information on each team check out the Camps and Missions page of the website and to apply online click here .

Easter@SU Resource Centre

The Resorece Centre's trading hours over Easter will be.

Friday 2    April           Closing @ 1:30

Monday 5  April          Closed

Tuesday  6 April         Closed

From Wednesday 7 April until Friday 9 April the Resource Centre wil only open mornings (until 1.30 pm).

Normal opening will resume on Monday 12 April.

Virtue Reborn

New release from Tom Wright:

Virtue Reborn            

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.

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

  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

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

Starts

Are you Busy in Summer 2010

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

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?

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

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

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!

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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...

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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
  

Focusfest CD 2009

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

Latest from the North Coast

Primary school teachers are often looking for materials to use in the SU groups in school. So to kick off the new term, we held an information and resources afternoon aiming to support them as they lead these groups. Teachers had the opportunity to browse and buy resources, to hear from SU staff, and to share ideas over coffee and buns. Enter your text here

VBS Bhandara

Are you part of a school SU group in Northern Ireland? 

Would you and your group like to know more about what goes on in Nepal?  

Would you think of linking up with SU Nepal?  

Joe Campbell and his wife, a retired couple from Northern Ireland, can help you make new contacts, communication and more!! possible!

Why not read his report here and look at some photos - photo1, photo2, photo3

Hello Rachel!

Thanks to the generous donations of churhes and Individuals in the Ballymena area we have appointed an new E3 Schools Worker for the Ballymena area.

Rachel Sheppard has started with us on the 1st Septemeber. Rachel comes to us after a year out with Youth for Christ after completeing her teaching degree in primary education. We are excited to have Rachel on board and looking forward to what God will do in her and through her in Ballymena in the years to come.

For more information on Rachel, and the E3 Ballymena work why not log on to our E3 Schools Project pages, here you will find more information on the project, and also more about the potential of E3 in your area.

To recieve Rachel's termly prayer news, and or monthly email E news please email rachel@suni.co.uk specifing what you would like to recieve.

E3 Prayer Updates

Our termly E3 prayer news for Leanne in East Belfast, Jenny in the North Coast, and Rachel in Ballymena are now available online to download on the E3 Section of our website.

If you wish to recieve the prayer news directly to your email inbox and / or to recieve monthly email Enews please contact  (specifiying what you would like to recieve or details of your enquiry)

leanne@suni.co.uk for information on  E3 East Belfast

jenny@suni.co.uk for information on E3 North Coast

rachel@suni.co.uk for information on E3 Ballymena

E3 Antrim September Events

We are excited about two events happening in Septemeber in Antrim which we would love for you to come along to and find more about the E3 Schools Project in the Antrim area. For more information why not check our events section of the website and for more details of our schools work and the e3 schools project log onto www.suni.co.uk/schools or /e3.

New SU group at Lisnasharragh

New SU group at Lisnasharragh PS  - Last term, a family of volunteers from Cregagh Congregational Church helped us run an SU group for 5 weeks in Lisnasharragh Primary School.  

Around 20 children, from P6-7, came along each week to learn about people Jesus met, as recorded in Luke's gospel.  It was such a privilege to get to know this little group of children, to listen to their questions and to feed the curiosity they showed about the Bible.  

Give thanks for Barbara, Billy and Linzie, who gave up their time to be involved and who have an obvious passion for reaching boys and girls.  Pray that this is something we will continue to offer the school.

Making Your Mark Application Date Extended!

NEWSFLASH

Closing date to apply for this year's Making Your Mark Weekend has been EXTENDED.

Applications will now be accepted up to the end of September 2009

See the Schools pages for more detail. 

Ready for ten10?

Our Schools Team are passionate about young people connecting with God through a regular rhythm of bible reading and prayer. And so we are launching a new programme for SU groups in Secondary Schools this term. Coming from John 10:10, the ten10 programme aims to help school pupils discover more of this life to the full that Jesus promises.

The ten10 sessions will focus on the character of Daniel, and we desire that God will reveal more of Himself to those who participate, and that they will develop an intimacy with Him. We are developing a booklet to accompany the 3 sessions Rick will offer, to enable young people to do some follow up material.

The ten10 programme will culminate in the ten10 challenge where young people will sign up to a 10 week period of bible reading, during which we will interact with them through podcasts, email and text messages to help them along the way.

If you would like more information about it email rick@suni.co.uk

New Term - New Faces

The first of September saw a change of gear for SUNI. After two exhilarating months of camps and missions emphasis has now switch to schools. Much planning has already been done for the new term and I know our School Workers can't wait to get back into schools. This year we have two new members of our Schools Team - Rachel is our new E3 Schools Worker for Ballymena and Kyle is starting up our Schools Sport Project in North Belfast. Make sure you keep an eye on our school pages to keep up-to-date with the exciting developments God is doing through our Schools Department.

Where's the Summer gone?

It's hard to believe that we're now nearing the end of the summer. All the weeks of planning and organising for our leaders has paid off. Children and young people have enjoyed their time together, strengthening existing friendships and exploring new ones. More importantly, however, they have met with Christ and lives have been changed forever.

Our last CSSM is Roe Valley. Please pray for the children, young people and leaders there is week. 

On into August

As the summer continues so do our camps and missions. Many children and young people have already spent time this summer being part of a SUNI camp or mission - many still have their camp or mission in front of them. Please pray for each of these children and young people. Thank God for those who have already spent time with Him through a camp or mission. May the things they learn during their time there affect their lives. Pray also for those who still have to attend a camp or mission. May they be open to hear what will be shown and explain to them.

Below is a list of camps and missions starting or continuing during this week.

The Summer Continues...

It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of July. SUNI camps and missions are continuing to involve large numbers of volunteers as they reach thousands of children and young people in many different settings and communities

Here are the camps and missions starting or continuing this week.

Summer 09 Week 2

"Here we go again for another week of CSSM. Pray for fun, laughter, music, praise, worship, questions, conversations about Jesus and for God's blessing on us" (Castlerock CSSM)

Please join with us and Castlerock CSSM in praying this prayer for all the camps and missions happening this week. Already many children and young people have been part of a camp or mission, learning how much God loves them, what Jesus has done for them and how special they are to him. There are, however many more camps and missions to start. The ones starting and continuing during this week can be found below.

Summer 09 is Here!

Saturday saw the start of SUNI's 2009 summer programme. 4 Camps and 8 Missions started on the 4 July. Their names can be found below. Can we ask for your prayer support over these next two months for all our leaders and the children / young people they will come in contact with. May this summer change lives forever.

As you're on your own travels around Northern Ireland this summer why not keep an eye out for the red hoodies and blue banners - They're everywhere!

Camps & Missions starting this week.

SUNI Summer Launch Night

Friday 26th June
Carnmoney Presbyterian Church
7.45pm

This event is to commission and inspire all our volunteers who are stepping out to serve this summer. It's an immense privilege and responsibility and we want to celebrate this opportunity and commit ourselves into God's hands for the summer ahead. All teams will be attending this event so chat to your team leader about going together.

If you have been part of a Camp or Mission team in the past or if you would like to support those volunteers who are going out this year then please come along and join us for this celebration!

Follow this link for directions to the church.

Pray For Children at Risk

The first weekend of every June is set aside as the World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk.
VIVA has done an excellent job over the years of facilitating this.  

The SU family around the world will be joining together in prayer. These prayer ideas are simple and highlight the 'Good News' of the church being involved in integral mission around the world.

Are you the next E3 Schools Worker?

E3 SCHOOLS WORKER for the Ballymena Area

New SU Groups

Leanne and Paul have been involved with a group of volunteers from Cregagh Congregational Church in setting up a new SU group in Lisnasharragh Primary School.  Now a couple of weeks in, we've been really impressed with the 16 pupils coming along each week and their enthusiasm to learn more about Jesus through people he met, as recorded in Luke's gospel.

Have you been Access NI-ed?

Over 500 volunteers have been to the office to submit their Access NI forms. 

Many more are still to come! 

If you're still to come you can download all the forms you need here!

1) Access NI Letter

2) Access NI Form 

3) Camps & Missions Declaration Form

4) Notes on completing form

E3 News

 E3 Ballymena and Bangor pages are now live why not check them out!

Also our E3 Schools Project Documentary is now available online to watch by clicking here !

Why not check it out and find some information on the E3 Schools Project near you.

New 'Chapters' for SU Resource Centre

During March Ballynahinch Baptist and the SU Resource Centre launched a joint venture to provide a bookshop in the church. The shop is staffed by church members and will be providing books to the public as well as the church. The stock and the administration of the shop will be done through the SU Resource Centre. There will be more information in Summer News.

A Weekend Away?

This term, our Schools staff have taken part in 5 different weekends away for SU groups within Secondary Schools, representing 4 schools who had pupils on our Making Your Mark weekend last October.
 
Like many others, Enniskillen Collegiate SU has just had their weekend away, with Anita coming along as their speaker. Together they thought about who each of them are, what they stand for and what they are aiming to do and to be.
 
What a thrill for us as SU staff to be part of these groups, to work alongside teachers and pupil leaders, seeking to be salt and light in the school where God has placed them. Scripture Union groups are made up of people of all ages and backgrounds.  Relationships will change but together we are simply God's people, in his place ‘for such a time as this".

Poems for Children

Attention all Children's Leaders and Sunday School Teachers:

Now that the clocks have gone forward, the daffodils are in full bloom and the jingle of ice cream vans echo in the distance, you can be sure that 'Children's Day' is approaching.  The search for new material and busy rehearsal sessions leave you ready for the summer break.

With this in mind, Jayne Hamilton has written a series of poems based on 'Quirky Characters from the Bible.'  The poems are designed so children can present Biblical truths to their congregations in an engaging and creative performance.

Written in rhyming couplets, these story poems can be used as a teaching aid and then recited and dramatised by children. Click here to see a sample poem based on the story of Noah.

Jayne is also available to present sessions on performing and dramatising the poems.

To help take the hassle out of planning your Children's Day, SU or Assembly contact:

Jayne Hamilton
jaynechamilton@yahoo.co.uk
mobile: 07759 276325

Jayne is a Primary School teacher and CSSM leader.

Leadership Development

The third and final Leadership Development session took place on Thursday 19th March.  Helen Warnock (SUNI) led the session on Developing Others. The 30 course participants will continue to reflect on what they have learnt and how they will apply it to their leadership roles this summer.

Busy This Summer?

So far we have over 850 volunteers for our Camps and Missions this summer, but we still need more!! So what about you?! Have you a spare week or two this summer? Do you have a passion for sharing the good news of Jesus with children and young people? Do you want to see lives transformed? If so then get applying. We can't promise you sunshine but you will see God working in amazing ways as He transforms the lives of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.

The closing date for July teams is Friday 3rd April.

Will You make a Difference?

Inspirational resources to encourage the church in children's ministry

The 30th anniversary of the UN Year of the Child and the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 2009 is an ideal opportunity for the church to celebrate children and childhood.

The Will You Make A Difference? campaign sets out to help you do that. It is a collaborative venture across denominations and organisations brought to you by Children Matter! and the Consultative Group for Ministry among Children.

A number of excellent resources are available from the website: www.wymad.org.uk . These include inspirational videos, animations and presentations as well as training and audit tools for use with leaders and volunteers.

Using the wide range of resources available you can encourage your church to set aside time during the year to:

• review prayerfully existing work with children and young people.
• celebrate their contribution in the life of the church and society.
• challenge the church to fresh vision and expression.

‘We will tell the next generation...." Psalm 78: 4

Leadership Development

The second Leadership Development session took place on Saturday 28th February.  David Dunlop (Windsor Baptist) led a session on the Bible and Andrew McCracken (Tearfund) led a session on Strategic leadership.  The 30 course participants have one more session to attend on 19th March when they will be looking at seeing potential in those around them.

Kathryn or Catherine?

With the impending arrival of Baby Irwin only a few weeks away Catherine Reaney has joined the SU Team to cover for Louise over her Matnerity Leave. She will be working alongside Kathryn Harte in our Camps & Missions Department and will have a couple of weeks to "learn the ropes" before Louise heads off.

Applying for an SU team this summer?

If you are applying for an SU team and need your ID checked you may bring your ID to your leader if you are applying for one of the following teams:

Football Camp
Mixed Youth Camp, Scotland
Senior Scottish Camp on tour
Enniskillen 360
Portstewart CSSM
Ballycrochan CSSM
Cranfield CSSM
Roe Valley CSSM
Ballyholme CSSM
Senior Mixed Adventure Camp
North Coast Camp

If you need contact details for your team leader please contact the SU office.

Don't Stop!

The second Don't Stop Session took place on Thursday 19th February in Ballymena.  Session 3, in Coleraine is this Thurs - 26th February.  This is a great opportunity to bring together younger volunteers to look at issues of leadership and to encourage them in their various roles with SU

It's Back! North Coast Camp

North Coast Camp is coming back for a second year! From May 8 - 10 at Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre. A weekend of teaching, games, craft, small group activities, outdoor activity and some great craic. Application forms have gone out to schools in the last two weeks. Places are filling up fast so if you or anyone you know would like to come to camp get filling in your form!

Nooma Study Guides

Study Guides to go with "Nooma" DVDs are now available through the Resource Centre.

Summer plans?

Do you have a week or two to spare this summer?

Why not volunteer for a SUNI Camp or Mission team.

Click to find out more

Amazing Volunters!

Training for the Amazing Jesus lessons will take place over the next 2 weeks. There are 20+ volunteers who have signed up to work in teams and deliver the lessons in some 20 Primary schools mainly in East Belfast and the North Coast.

New District Pages - Coming Soon!

Web pages for our new E3 districts of Antrim, Ballymena and Bangor will be appearing soon.

Watch this space for more details!

Don't Miss Out!

Camp spaces are filling up quickly. Make sure you don't miss out on a great summer!

Check availability

Download Brochure

E3 - Bangor

We are asking every church in the Bangor area to consider having a 5 minute presentation on the E3 Schools Proect in their Sunday service. To find out more about the project why not visit the E3 pages

Don't Stop!

The first Don't Stop session took place in Fivemiletown. 16-19 year old volunteers looked together at areas of leadership such as gifting, character and servanthood. It was a really encouraging evening and we're looking forward to the next session in Ballymena on 19th February.

Camps Brochure 09 - Online!

Camps 09 brochure is now available to download. Click here to find out more

Weather Causes Spy Kidz Cancellation

Unfortunately due to the extreme weather conditions today the Newtownbreda Spy Kidz has been cancelled. It is hope to reschedule at a later date. More details will follow. 

Leadership Development Course Begins

Last week saw the start of LDC 2009. The Leadership Development Course is designed for those stepping into leadership on Camp and Mission teams. Around 30 people are going through the 3 month programme this year. The course combines teaching sessions with reading, watching and chatting with a mentor to help those in leadership to gain a new perspective on what it means for them to lead.

Audio Books

The Resource Centre is now carrying a range of Audio Books.  Please contact us if you would like more information.

Leaders' Weekend

Our camp and mission leaders came together last weekend in Castlewellan Castle for a great weekend of chat, teaching and relaxation! With teaching from Glen Jordan and John Woodside, the leaders were treated to some great sessions as they thought through the year ahead and started to get into shape for their teams this summer.

Saturday Changes in Resource Centre

Our new Saturday staff in the Resource Centre are Sarah Dickinson & Joanne Duff. Joanne is no stranger to SU having been our Admin Assistant for a number of years.

The shop is open on Saturdays from 10am - 4pm and Sarah and Joanne will be happy to help and advise.