This is a really simple activity, but it involves getting out for walk in nature first – something I highly recommend if, like us, you find people going a bit stir-crazy indoors sometimes. There’s nothing like being outdoors to help reset us! When you’re out, challenge everyone to collect FIVE similar length sticks. When you … Read more
I love this book! It’s the Christmas and Easter stories told by the eloquent Madeleine L’Engle illustrated with frescoes from the Scrovegni Chapel by Giotto. You can see my review of the book here, but this post is about how I’ve used the pictures and story in this book to meditate on the Christmas story … Read more
I find it interesting to look at the Christmas story and see what messages from God to the people back then are also relevant for us. It’s a little risky, as it’s possible to take Bible verses out of context when applying them to ourselves, but there are definitely some messages in the Christmas story … Read more
Now, I’d love to tell you how to be ready for Christmas in three perfect steps, but I am just not that clever. Truly, I think I’d need magic to make that happen. However, I have given this some thought and have created a list of three things that we can do to ensure we … Read more
When the Spirit came to God’s people at Pentecost, they saw what looked like flames of fire land on each of them. Choose a way to watch flames safely. You could: • light some tealights • light birthday candles • have a BBQ • light a fire in a fire pit • watch a video … Read more
Here’s a really simple, fun and meaningful Easter activity – an Easter story treasure hunt. It’s created to work with your family at home or as part of a group or service – anywhere you want to have fun while exploring the Easter story together. You can source your own pictures, but to make it … Read more
Faithful Families for Lent, Easter and Resurrection Title: Faithful Families for Lent, Easter and Resurrection Author: Traci Smith Published by: Chalice Press Price: £9.59 Best for: families looking for simple, spiritual ways to mark Lent and Easter together Best bit: by focusing on spiritual practice, Traci gives us a great range of options to try, while … Read more
I’m a run around, get lots done, energetic sort of person, so I’ve come late to this realisation: We ALL need rest, time to pause, to reflect, to process. As we approach what is often the busiest time of year, it’s even more important to put things in place to press pause on the doing … Read more
I once opened a workshop on prayer with the Bible quote: “Pray without ceasing.” I’ve always found this a very challenging command, after all, most of us usually manage a few minutes a day – how do we pray but also do all the other things we need to do each day? I used to … Read more
One This is a really simple, seasonal prayer activity to do as a family at home: When you see something looking beautiful because it’s covered in frost, praise God for it: You may well find younger children are good at this as they often have a better connection to awe and wonder. Don’t limit their … Read more
Title: Advent Journal for All ages Author: Nick and Becky Drake from Worship for Everyone Illustrator: Connie Buck Published by: Worship for everyone and Gas Street Church Price: £7.99 each, two for £15, or 3 for £20 Good for: Anyone wanting a quick but real way to connect with God during Advent, especially those who would like four themed songs … Read more
Do you set goals? How about developing a habit instead? In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear says that it’s habits which make us the people we are, and the people we want to be. Goals, he proposes, once achieved, can actually cause a reduction in the type of behaviour we want to have, whereas … Read more