Ideas for children's groups
Leaves of Life is a great way of actively engaging children in worship and the life of your church. Our children's group leader's guide includes a range of ideas to help you and your group:
- share and explore the Gospel messages of new life this Eastertide
- use the prayer leaves to express in words and drawings how they would like to see new life in their community
- reflect on others stories and experiences of children building a new life from The Children's Society
- talk about how we can bring new life to each other in the same way that Christ brought us new life
Activities for children
There are a wide range of activities for children to take part in before the celebration service that will help them to understand and explore the idea of new life. More details are in the children's group leader's guide which will be available in the essential pack shortly
- Tree walk and leaf study - using nature to introduce children to the idea of new life.
- Bible activities - stories from the Gospels and crafts relating to trees and/or the Easter story.
- Stories of new life - using the experiences of young people who built new lives with The Children's Society's support to help children think about what new life means for them and their communities.
- Completing the prayer leaves - Children write or draw a picture of what they'd like as a new life for themselves and their communities before the celebration service.
- My Church postcards – complete the postcards with the children as part of their children’s activities, feeding into the development of children’s and young people’s ministry in the Church of England
Sharing children's confidences
The invitation to talk about their feelings and the issues raised in The Children's Society stories may lead to conversations about things that raise concerns for you regarding child protection. Please ensure that you are clear about how you will handle such situations. Your approach should be directed by your diocesan or parish child protection guidelines and the pastoral care for children. If you require support on child protection issues please see your diocesan website, or contact your children's work adviser for help.
Other community groups
Leaves of Life can also be used by children's groups linked to your church and local schools. Cubs, Brownies, Mother and Toddler groups can create their prayer leaves as part of their regular midweek meetings and bring them along to the church's celebration or hold one of their own.
Order your free Leaves of Life materials online now or call 0845 600 8585 to order by telephone.
