For a week in December Meltham Methodist Church was transformed. Four gazebos were erected and decorated to represent various scenes from the Christmas Story. Each day children from the local schools were invited to visit, one class at a time, to go on a Christmas Journey.

The Journey began with the story teller (Suzanne Bridges) recounting the Creation Story using Godly Play resources. Following this the children visited Mary’s kitchen where Mary was found baking bread, which they got to taste. During the time spent there the Angel Gabriel came to visit Mary and give her the good news that she was chosen by God to bear His Son.

 As Mary rushed off to tell Joseph, the children moved on to the hillside near Bethlehem where they were invited to become shepherds to look after the sheep. Once again Angel Gabriel put in an appearance to tell the shepherds about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The ‘shepherds’ all hurried to the stable to see the baby and hear from the animals, as hand puppets,  the story of the birth from their perspective.

The Wise Men’s palace was the next scene where one of the Magi explained who he and his friends were and why they travelled such a long way, bearing such unusual gifts for a baby. The children were invited to think about what gifts they might give to a baby today.

Finally the story teller related the story of the New Beginning, describing elements of Jesus’ life, from his birth through to his death and resurrection, again using the Godly Play materials.

The visit concluded with juice and biscuits to fortify the children after their long journey and they had a chance to make a Christmas card to take back with them.

Schoolchildren and staff from the schools all said they had enjoyed the trip – despite many of them having to walk in atrocious weather to get to us!

This truly was a Meltham Churches Together event as it drew participants from all the congregations of the Meltham churches. From supplying refreshments and  props, people to welcome and guide the children on their journey, others to participate in the scenes and help with clearing up afterwards. All came together and had an enjoyable experience.

Grateful thanks to Suzanne Bridges (Huddersfield Methodist Circuit Children’s Work Co-ordinator) for her inspiration and leadership and to all those members of Churches around Meltham who participated so enthusiastically.
 
Lizanne Searson

What better way to welcome in the New Year than with a party, or so say all of us!

In early January, sixteen children from around the Circuit came together at Dalton to celebrate and have fun! It was also an opportunity for anyone (including leaders!) who’d been at the Children’s Circuit Camp in October to renew old acquaintances.

On arrival, the children were greeted and challenged with a pantomime quiz in which they did really well. It certainly challenged me! How well do you know your pantomimes?

Which pantomimes are the following characters from:

• Widow Twankey?
• Silly Billy?
• Prince Florizel ?

There were lots of fun games and activities, some requiring team-work, others being a bit more competitive individually.

It kept the leaders amused to observe the application of problem solving skills and communication (or lack of on one team!) for crossing the lava pool with all limbs intact! Lots of energy was expended in musical mats, corners and jumping over the spinning rope – who would be the last man standing?! Of course no party would be complete without the traditional pass the parcel. This one had forfeits such as tell a joke, choose a partner to do a wheelbarrow with, say a tongue twister or do an animal impression….

Perhaps one of the favourite party games was Steal. Wrapped presents sit temptingly in the middle of the circle, but there’s not enough for everybody. All playing cards from a pack are dealt between the children. Then using another pack of shuffled playing cards, cards are turned over one at a time. The child whose card matches this, gets to choose a present from the middle or when the presents are all gone, they get to steal a present from somebody in the circle! Who will end up with a present? What will the presents be? All is revealed at the end of the game!

We all enjoyed the party food – a feast of assorted sandwiches, mini sausages, scotch eggs, crudities and dips, crisps and a host of yummy cakes to choose from! Once again, many thanks to all the wonderful leaders and helpers on the day who helped to make this party lots of fun and a huge success!

Look out in the next edition of In Touch for details of this year’s Children’s Circuit Camp, likely to be at the end of September. If you’re interested in being part of the Camp team and want to find out more then please get in touch. Initial planning will begin sometime in April.
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Suzanne Bridges