Who are we?
Set up in 2011 to be a voice for and to serve churches in their ministry with children, the Children's Ministry Network (CMN) is comprised of representatives from all twelve dioceses (nominated by their Bishops), the Board of Education Secretaries, the Ministry Co-ordinator of the Church of Ireland Youth Department , a representative from the House of Bishops and up to three co-opted members, including a representative from the Sunday School Society.
What do we do?
Support:
The Network aims to provide support for grass roots leaders i.e Sunday School Teachers, Messy Church leaders and Children's Club leaders, and for clergy who are engaged in Children's Ministry. The Network is convinced of the crucial role the clergy play in promoting and supporting children's ministry within their parishes.
So that we can be in regular contact with all who are involved in Children's Ministry in Clogher Diocese it would be great to have e-mail addresses for everybody. We currently have over seventy on a list but are certain that there are lots more. Please get in touch with your details, using the e-mail address below so that we can contact you easily.
Training:
The Network aims to provide parish and diocesan-based training designed and delivered appropriately to meet local needs. The Network has set itself an aim of implementing a local training event in each diocese within the next two years. It believes much can be achieved by extending and sharing existing training programmes.
In Clogher Diocese, working closely with the Clogher Diocesan Board of Religious Education, two training evenings for Sunday School teachers and all involved in Children's Ministry are being planned for February 22nd and 23rd, 2016.
Resources:
The Network aims to provide up-to-date information on a range of curriculum and other resources for use in Children's Ministry in parishes. The website is used to announce details of training events throughout the dioceses. It also provides recommendations / reviews of suitable resources as well as the contact details of the diocesan children's ministry representatives.
Are you involved in Children's Ministry in your parish? Need some good ideas to use during Advent?
Why not visit the website www.cm.ireland.anglican.org today for some great ideas for activities to use with the children during Advent and Christmas?
Particularly good is the Messy Church Advent outline, Advent Ideas collated by Jill Hamilton, the Children's Officer for Connor Diocese. It is packed with wonderful ideas for guiding children through the Nativity Story. Jill has some further ideas on www.rippleconnor.org.uk/christmas
Have a look at http://www.paperlesschristmas.org.uk for a very interesting take on the Nativity Story!
Like our Facebook page too at www.facebook.com/churchofirelandchildrensministry
Clogher Representative - Frances Boyd . Contact me on clogher@cmn.ireland.anglican.org