December 2015/ January 2016

Territorial Headquarters 204 Cuba Street Wellington 6011 PO Box 6015 Wellington 6141

Territorial Children’s Department [email protected] Phone: 04 802 6269 ext 24542

Focus on the Reason for the Season

Although our society tries to remove heavenly things to earthly things. Here Jesus from the Christmas holiday, he’s the are some tips for taming the POWERSOURCE sole reason for its existence. Despite materialism monster this Christmas so what retailers want you to believe, you can concentrate on the good news ASK GOD: Christmas would still happen without of Jesus’ birth: 1. To help your family make Jesus overloaded shopping carts and maxed- out credit cards.  your top priority during the Emphasise nonmaterial values. Spend time as a family doing Christmas season—and As followers of Jesus, our efforts to activities besides shopping. Set a beyond. honour the true meaning of Christmas do good example in this area, too. battle with our consumer culture. The 2. To remind you and your kids to temptation to overindulge our children  Help children explore their be satisfied with what they isn’t limited to December, though. All values. Instead of just saying “no” have. year long, kids of all ages are bombarded to every request, discover what’s by ads for “must-have” items that important to kids—and why. 3. To help you seek and value promise fun, excitement, and even spiritual gifts, not material gifts. popularity.  Recognise various forms of overindulgence. Don’t indulge Parents often give in, either because they kids emotionally by expecting too can or because they don’t want their much or too little of them. Set children to be deprived. The result? Kids limits, as well as age-appropriate can become selfish and self-centered, chores. and families’ priorities can shift from

How to change when change is hard

Letting go of the familiar is tough. Changing jobs or moving to a new city can take an emotional toll on us. It’s even more difficult to leave behind old habits, attitudes and behaviours.

Lot’s wife wasn’t able to let go of her home in Sodom, even though God sent angels to warn her family to run for their lives because judgment was coming. In fact, the angels’ warnings included such grave commands as, “Don’t look back” and, “Don’t Major Bronwyn Malcolm stop.” But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Territorial Children’s Secretary Genesis 19:26

Why in the world did this woman choose to stop and look back? Could it be that she loved the life she was leaving too much? Though Sodom was full to overflowing with sin and vice, apparently the dark and oppressive city was comfortably familiar to Lot’s wife. It is difficult to leave the familiar behind. That fact is as true today as it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction–even when God himself is saying, “It’s time to move on.”

If you’ve ever struggled with a destructive habit, you’ve felt the pull of the familiar–even as you’ve sensed God’s nudge, “Move on now.” You’ve experienced the temptation to TEACHABLE turn back just one more time, for one last look, one last taste, one last “fix”–even as God has whispered, “Don’t look back.” Maybe you’ve agonised over a loved one’s downward MOMENTS spiral, desperately attempting to rescue them time and time again–until finally God impressed upon you, “Stop. Let go.”

The Greatest Gift Unlike Lot’s wife, none of us have ever become a pillar of salt by turning back for one last peek. Yet we all struggle with the difficulties of letting go of the old in order to grasp the Beforehand, wrap small gifts that are new. Take heart. God understands that letting go of the familiar is hard. Yet he has called appropriate for any age. Sit in a circle, and us to move–to boldly move forward without looking back. When you feel God’s call to give every family member a gift. Say: I’ll move, allow him to guide you. He will give you the grace to do whatever he has asked. read the Christmas story. As I read, pass your gift to the person on your right Over the years, I've learned how God gives us signals when He wants us to let go of one every time I say “God,” Lord,” or thing, so that we can take hold of another. Over the past 20 years for me it has been “Jesus.” When I’m done, I’ll say through appointment changes where I have to leave an appointment I have loved and move on to the unfamiliar. At times, the Lord puts pressure on us, squeezing us off the “amen,” and you’ll keep the gift that’s old path, and onto a new one. If we listen carefully, we may hear His voice telling us, "I'm in your hands at that time. done with that! I have something else I want you to do now..." Every time that God has asked me to let go of one thing, it's been because He has had something even better for Read aloud Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20; and me waiting up ahead. After being involved in Children’s ministries for 9 years, firstly in Matthew 2:1-12. End with “amen.” Have the Division and then Territorially I now have to let go and move onto something new, family members hold their gifts. Ask: new challenges, new opportunities and new people to get to know. It will be hard, but I What did you have to do to receive the take faith that God will expand my ministry and allow me to touch more lives. gift you have? What did we have to do to receive the gift of Jesus? What stood Scripture says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV) Before we can lay out to you the most about the Bible hold of the new things that God wants to do in our lives, we have to let go of the old readings? things. And it's a test of our faith. When we sense that the Lord is leading us into new territory, we can either move forward in faith, or we can shrink back in fear. What we Say: Jesus is the best gift of all! Because need to remember in times like these is that failing to trust God always robs us of His Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up, best. and then died for us, we have the gift of life in heaven. What is the Lord asking you to let go of today?

Open your gifts and close in prayer. If you'll listen very closely, I believe you'll hear Him say--"Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is!" (Isaiah 43:19 MSG)

I believe God has some amazing things in store for the Children’s Department and although I am physically moving from the role, I will continue to pray that God will touch the lives of the children and families that are ministered to daily throughout the Territory. God bless you all.

MEDIA MADNESS

CULTURE & TRENDS

STEAM-Inspired Toys Many parents are introducing kids to science,

technology, engineering, arts, and math

through play. Toys that spur curiosity and creativity include Project Mc2 dolls, MOVIE MUSIC which come with science-experiment kits. The dolls also star in their own Title: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Title: Purpose show. (fortune.com) Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Author: Justin Bieber Rating: PG-13 Synopsis: The 21-year-old singer’s

Cast: Harrison Ford, John Boyega, fourth album—and much- QUICK STATS Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver anticipated “comeback”—has Synopsis: The plot for this movie, generated lots of buzz. Bieber is Low-Tech Joys Don’t rush out to buy set 30 years after The Return of the collaborating with your kids an e-reader for Christmas. Jedi, is rumoured to revolve around bigger names, and the first single, Two-thirds of 6- to 8-year-olds still Han Solo and Princess Leia’s kids. “What Do You Mean?” debuted at prefer paper books over e-books—and Many actors from the original films #1—a first for him. the same number say they’ll always are back—along with new, diverse Our Take: Beware. Bieber seemed to prefer traditional books. (scholastic.com) faces. gain fame and fortune before Our Take: It remains to be seen knowing his true identity and New Flag A recent survey by the Office whether the year’s biggest movie will “purpose,” and his poor choices have of the Children’s Commissioner found be the year’s best movie. Now that been well-documented. Bieber’s fans, that 58% of children surveyed would Disney owns the franchise, expect it known as Beliebers, remain faithful, prefer to keep the current flag. to be family friendly. Director J.J. though parents are watching to see (www.occ.org.nz) Abrams’ commitment to “real-life” if he’s changed. In the past, the special effects—rather than digital singer has been vocal about his ones—offers hope that he’ll stay true Christian faith, and he’s reportedly to the original films. been consulting with religious advisers.

Games, Sites & Apps Fish, Fish, Squish! The Toymaker David Wiesner’s Spot In this board game by This site features a wide The Caldecott-winning Winning Moves, the range of paper toys, picture-book creator goal is to be the last puzzles, cards, and merges art and tech in person with an more. Kids can this visual adventure. “unsquished” dough download the PDF or Kids explore tiny worlds fish. Gameplay also follow instuctions, and through an iPad’s pinch- involves matching then glue, and-zoom features. With cards, so kids work colour its character and depth, on their memory. The and fold this app promises THE CHRONICLES OF game, which takes to create “worlds” of fun for users about 20 minutes, is all sorts (ages 4 and up, $6.49). PAKI for ages 5 and up. of toys, Available for iPad only. These two series of books (with more to gifts and be released) tell about the relationships activities. developed between the Maori people and European missionaries 200 years This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant ago. These books are targeted at 8-12 to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our goal is to help year olds and each one focuses on an you make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play. individual, either Maori or European, who played an important role in early New Zealand society. Available at www.bigbookpublishing.co.nz

Christmas Family Ideas Shine On Cut out posterboard stars, “Pay” It Forward Use this idea with and have family members write their money your children receive for names on several stars using glow-in- Christmas, and continue it year- the-dark paint. Tape the stars on the round: Encourage kids to use 10% of ceiling above your Christmas tree. their money to help someone else, Turn off the lights, and talk about the whether they donate it or use it to star that pointed people to Jesus buy a small gift. Together, keep a when he was born. Tell kids they, too, journal detailing how children use STRAWBERRY SANTAS can be “stars” who help other people that 10% to bless other people. Jot Cut the top off a strawberry, and then find Jesus and tell them about his love down new ideas in the journal cut the strawberry in half. Using a zip- and forgiveness. whenever you think of them. lock bag (cut a small hole in the corner and fill with whipped cream), pipe a Share the News With younger Random Acts of Kindness Spend beard and face in between the two children, have them retell the each day in December doing a strawberry pieces, and a ‘pom pom’ Christmas story to you. Write each Random Act of Kindness, either onto the hat. Carefully place two chia sentence on a different piece of together or individually. Come up seeds for eyes. paper, keeping it in children’s words. with ideas as a family, which could Then have kids illustrate each page. include giving a compliment to a Put the pages in order, have kids friend, picking up rubbish, baking for create a cover, and staple it together. a teacher, or donating a new toy to

Every Christmas Eve, read the book the Kmart Wishing Tree. together.

Share the News, Part 2 With older kids, let them each choose a role from the Christmas story and then write and present a Christmas drama from that viewpoint. Record the plays, and watch them together on Christmas Eve.

Summer Family Ideas REINDEER COOKIES Volunteer Together Consider it Get Cooking Teach your kids the Spread chocolate icing or Nutella over quality time squared: You get to secret family recipe, or start your own an Arrowroot biscuit. Add Tiny Teddies spend the day with your kids, they tradition. Younger kids can help with or pretzels for ears, chocolate drops for learn about the joy of helping others, adding ingredients and mixing, eyes, and Strawberries & Cream lollies and everybody makes the world a whereas older kids can have more for a nose. better place. When choosing an responsibility. activity, take a cue from the things that your kid loves. If he’s obsessed Go on a Scavenger Hunt or with dogs, he’ll enjoy helping out at Geocaching an animal shelter. Younger children Do this on a small scale (a scavenger might enjoy visiting people in a hunt in your own backyard) or a nursing home. bigger scale (Geocaching is a real- world outdoor treasure hunt). The Make a Time Capsule Add anything goal of geocaching is to locate you like—from drawings, to letters to containers (caches) of items that other yourself; movie ticket stubs, to a people have hidden. printout of a Facebook page. Put into www.geocaching.com will help you to a box and store it somewhere cool find cache locations in your area, then and dark in your house rather than use your smartphone to locate the burying it. Set a future date, either 10 treasures! or 20 years from now, to open and explore it. Other Ideas Pitch a tent and go CHRISTMAS TREES camping—either in your backyard or Cover an icecream cone with green Take a Stay-cation Explore your own at a campsite. Paint portraits of each icing, and stick Pebbles and city like a tourist—visit your local other. Plant something—either 100s & 1000s to it while it’s still wet. i-SITE for ideas on things to do. vegetables or a native tree. www.realsimple.com; www.parents.com

Keep Christ in Christmas

Have you ever experienced the Christmastime tug-of-war? As a parent, you want to shower your children with good gifts and revel in their expressions of joy. Yet you want to say “enough is enough” with material possessions and remind kids why we celebrate the holiday in the first place. To maintain balance, experts recommend keeping things simple when children are young. Be selective with gifts, ensuring each will stand the test of time. Don’t feel guilty when gift-opening isn’t a three-hour extravaganza. Instead, create memories and traditions that kids will cherish for years to come. And find ways to make Christmas special for other people, too.

This craft advent (sourced from www.housewifeeclectic.com) involves making 25 different decorations related to 25 Bible passages about Jesus’ life. You can choose to do one per evening, or more. Instructions and pictures are below; any templates required are attached to the back of this newsletter.

DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | Jesus in DAY 5 | The Birth of Christ Announcement to Three Wise Men the Temple Baptism of Jesus Read: Luke 2:1-7 the Shepherds Read: Matt 2:1-12 Read: Luke 2:40-52 Read: Matt 3:13- Supplies: Read: Luke 2:8-18 Supplies: Supplies: 17 5 popsicle sticks, Supplies: Empty toilet paper 1 sheet copy paper, Supplies: glue, string/twine 1 pipe cleaner, beads tube, adhesive 1 sheet black (DOVE) White craft foam, (STAR) (optional) (CROWN) jewels cardstock, stapler cardstock, or felt, 2 (SHEPHERD’S (BIBLES) googly eyes, dove Overlap the 5 popsicle sticks to CROOK) Cut crowns from toilet paper tubes Cut a rectangle from the template form a star, and glue the (using pinking shears) and stick on cardstock, and some slightly overlapping tips. Add a loop of String the beads onto the pipe adhesive jewels or stick-on smaller ones from the copy paper. Trace template shapes onto the string for hanging. Optional— cleaner and form it in the shape of earrings. Fold in half to create the book foam/cardstock. Cut out and wrap the star with string/twine, or a shepherd’s crook to hang on the cover and inner pages; staple assemble by sticking the wing decorate with markers or glitter. tree. together. Write “Holy Bible” on notch into the notch on bird’s the cover, and add a string to body. Attach the eyes and a string hang it. to hang it.

DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 | DAY 10 | Fishers of Men Sermon on the Mount Calming the Storm Loaves and Fishes Walking on Water Read: Luke 5:1-11, Read: Matt 5:1-16 Read: Matt 8:23-27 Read: Matt 14:14-21 Read: Matt 14:22-33 Luke 6:12-16 Supplies: Supplies: Supplies: Supplies: Supplies: 1 clothes peg, paper or 1 Styrofoam ball— Brown, blue and Cardstock, felt pens 1 sheet cardstock, felt—yellow, orange + halved, 1 toothpick, white felt, templates small circle one other colour scrap paper (FOOTPRINT) stickers, 1 googly (FISH) (FISH) eye, fish template (CANDLE) (BOAT) Trace your child’s footprint onto Cut an orange teardrop shape and Cut pieces of bread from the the paper and let them decorate it. Cut out fish template and mark yellow circle; glue orange onto Assemble a boat by making a sail brown and white felt, and glue the head/face divider. Use small yellow. Cut a rectangle (just from the toothpick and a pointed together, then cut out fish from circle stickers to cover the body of longer than clothes peg) from the oval shape from the paper, then the blue. Add string to hang fish. Add the eye and a string to other colour and glue onto peg. stick toothpick in the Styrofoam them. hang. Glue flame on top and peg to ball. tree.

DAY 11 | DAY 12 | DAY 13 | DAY 14 | DAY 15 | The Good Samaritan The 10 Lepers The Lost Sheep Pick Up Your Bed Woman at the Well Read: Luke 10:25-37 Read: Luke 17:11-19 Read: Luke 15:3-10 Read: John 4:5-30 Supplies: Supplies: Supplies: Read: Mark 2:1-12 Supplies: 1 wooden clothes 1 sheet of cardstock, Cardstock (black Supplies: 1 pipe cleaner, paper peg, fabric scraps template, felt pens and white), cotton Dish sponge (SHEEP) balls, 2 small (BANDAGED MAN) (10 LEPERS) googly eyes, black pipe cleaner, Cut a dish sponge into the shape (BUCKET) sheep template of a stretcher/mat and pillow; Cut a long, thin strip of fabric for Fold and cut template according cover with fabric or paper if you Roll a small rectangle of cardstock each doll. Wrap the fabric around to directions—cut on dotted lines, Cut a circle (from template) from prefer. Glue pillow to mat and up to form a bucket shape, and the doll as a bandage. Draw a face glue where indicated, then fold on white card, and face from black attach hanger. secure with tape. Push a piece of on the peg; add string to hang. solid lines and cut outline. Don’t card. Glue cotton balls to body. pipe cleaner through the top at cut folded edges at man’s hands Glue head to body and eyes to each side to create bucket handle. and feet. Colour one ‘leper’ to head. Glue pipe cleaner legs to represent the grateful one. body.

DAY 16 | DAY 17 | DAY 18 | DAY 19 | DAY 20 | Gethsemane The Widow’s Mite Ears to Hear Triumphal Entry & The Last Supper Read: Matt 26:36-45 Read: Luke 10:38-42 Cleansing the Temple Read: Luke 22:14-20, Supplies: Read: Mark 12:41-44 Supplies: Read: Matt 21:1-13 John 13:4-15 Paper box template Supplies: 2 printed ears, available Supplies: Supplies: (from http:// Salt dough (plenty of recipes can from www.clker.com/ 1 toilet paper tube, Plastic cup (GIFT) www.planetpals.com/ be found on the internet), coins (to (EAR) clipart-ear-bw.html green cardstock , (WATER) images/box-square- imprint) (PALM TREE) palm leaf template 2.jpg), sheet of card, slip of paper Pierce a hole in the top of the Roll the salt dough to 0.5-1cm Print and cut out the ears; colour Cut the tube to be 10-15cm tall. In cup; add string for hanging. Using template, cut box from card. thick. Press the coins carefully in each one then add string to hang the top, cut 6-8 vertical slits, about On the paper, write a gift you can the dough to leave an imprint. Cut from tree. 1cm long. Cut leaves; place one in give God this year (eg a change around the coin shape, and bake. each slit. Secure with tape or glue. you can make). Fold box, insert Glue an ornament hanger to the slip, attach ribbon & add string to back once it is cool and dry. hang.

DAY 21 | DAY 22 | DAY 23 | DAY 24 | DAY 25 | Betrayal & Denial Crucifixion & Burial Resurrection Road to Emmaus Ascension Read: Matt 26:4-75 Read: Luke 23:33-46, Read: Luke 24:13-32 Read: Acts 1:9-11 Supplies: 50-56 Read: John 20:1-20 Supplies: Supplies: Red, orange and Supplies: Supplies: 2 sheets of red 1 pipe cleaner, beads white felt, rooster 2 popsicle sticks, Salt dough felt, toilet paper template, 2 small string (HEART— tube, hot glue gun (CLOUD) (ROOSTER) googly eyes Use the salt dough to form an TREE TOPPER) (CROSS) empty tomb; bake. Cut the cloud template from Using template, cut out felt. Glue Cut two hearts from red felt, cardstock and glue on cotton balls, the pieces together to create the Glue the two sticks perpendicular approx. 25cm x 20cm. Glue them Attach a hanger. decoration, add string to hang. to each other. Wrap the centre together EXCEPT at the bottom; joint with string, leaving a long flatten top half of toilet roll and loop to hang the cross on the slide it into the hole in the heart. tree. Glue to secure. Advent Templates (page 5) Advent Templates (page 5)