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== CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ MINISTRY REPORT – February 2011 ==
=== Acknowledgements: ===
 I want to start this report by sincerely thanking all the wonderful people who support children and families’ ministry at GWUC.  There are far too many to list but I want to thank all those who help with 4.30pm, Kid’s Activity Time in the morning service, Playgroup, Religious Education, Community Hub and all the people who take the time to talk to, care for and include our children and young families.  A special thanks to BelindaChung and GailIrvine for once again doing a fantastic job in leading Christmas Alight at the end of last year and to all the other people who helped make this program such a success. I especially want to acknowledge the people who are finishing up in roles that they had last year. Special thanks to AmePocklington, BecWeterings and !KateYates for the fantastic leadership of Uthies last year.   Thanks too to LoisHosking and KayeMackinnon for their wonderful support with meals for 4.30pm. Thanks to Deb Graham for the fantastic job she did coordinating meals for 4.30pm (and everything else that she did and continues to do!). 

=== Christmas Alight ===
 The year ended on a high with Christmas Alight which once again went very well with over 100 children attending over the two days.  Children were exposed to the real meaning of Christmas through drama, songs, craft and games which were based around the theme, “Follow the Star to where the real things are”.

=== 9.00am/9.30am/4.30pm ===
 Towards the end of last year there were many conversations with families around the commencement of the new 9.30am service and what that would mean for the 4.30pm service.  I took time with the 4.30pm congregation to begin to explore what their vision was for the 4.30pm service and encouraged them to try and look at a bigger picture in the context of community of faith, community outreach, inclusive community and community hub. There have been some very healthy conversations and brainstorming that has happened.   As the year commences we will continue to explore what is valued by the 4.30pm community and what they see as their vision.

=== Leaders ===
 Over the last month I have spent time talking to people from the various different children’s ministries. 
 Resourcing these ministries can be difficult and at the moment that is a concern in a few areas.  We are currently short on leaders for Uthies, 4.30pm and Religious Education in schools and so we are exploring a range of options to address this.   

=== Children’s and Families Support Team ===
 We are currently exploring changing the team so it has better representation from  the different children and families’ ministries and developing the 4.30pm planning group so that it would take more responsibility for the running of the 4.30pm worship time.

=== Family Camp ===
 A Family Camp has been planned for the 8-10th April at Merricks on the Peninsula.  We have not had a family camp at GWUC for a long time and so this should be a fun time of building community and sharing faith.

=== Recommendations for Church Council from the Children and Families’ Support Team ===
 1. We currently need more first aid trained leaders at all children and families’ events.   It would be greatly appreciated if Church Council could fund 2 people to do their Level 2 First Aid Training (see Alanee for costing).
 1. To enable more people to access our Family Camp in April we would appreciate financial assistance for approximately 3 people at a cost of $108 per person.<<BR>>

Many thanks,<<BR>>
Debbie Davey   (Children and Families’ Coordinator.)