The Children’s Society Magazine | Spring 2007 |
14-15
Church
Get resourceful
been times in the past when our
The Children’s
Christian roots have been played Society will have
down, but we shouldn’t do that
a stand at the
now. We share in the mission of
Christian Resources
Exhibition (CRE) in
the Church. There are huge May. The exhibition,
opportunities to work alongside
which will be
the Church and Church schools
opened by the
Archbishop of
in delivering new projects and
Canterbury, Dr
initiatives directly with children and Rowan Williams, is
young people. A large proportion
targeted specifically
of our voluntary income comes
at church leaders
with more than
from the diocesan network of 10,000 visitors
support. We should recognise this.’
attending every
year. Our stand will
include information
He believes that The Good
on our Stand by
Childhood Inquiry will prove to Me campaign. If
be hugely siginificant for The
you would like a
Children’s Society. ‘It is the right
complimentary entry
ticket or would like
inquiry at the right time,’ he says. to help us on the
‘A lot of people want a clear
stand then please
message, based on sound
call Caroline Loden
on 020 7841 4428.
Bring new life
evidence, about what makes for a
good childhood in modern society.
The inquiry should give us a voice, St Paul’s
something to say that makes us Cathedral
truly representative of children and
to your parish
proves that we have vital things to
This autumn
say about children and childhoods.’
St Paul’s Cathedral
will run a major
programme entitled
When he’s not working for
A Good Childhood?
The Children’s Society or fulfilling
Growing up in the this Eastertide
21st Century in
his church duties, Bishop Tim
partnership with
likes to walk, particularly in the The Children’s
Children are getting ready to join on its leaves and giving the
North York Moors. Last year he
Society. Focussed
completed the Coast-to-Coast
on what makes for
The Children’s Society’s Leaves of congregation the opportunity
a good childhood in
Life programme this Eastertide, as to respond to them. It is a joint
walk, raising over £9000 for the UK today, the
it launches from 8 April – 27 May initiative between The Children’s
The Children’s Society.
programme includes
2007 in churches throughout the Society, children’s work advisers
discussions in the
cathedral, day
country. This is an exciting worship and the national worship
That’s not bad for a bishop who
courses, evening service for churches, children’s development officer for the Church
says that a 7.30am–10.00pm services and a
groups and schools to run of England. This year Leaves of Life
working day is not unusual. As he
retreat. Speakers
prepares for his next meeting,
include Dr Rowan
between Easter and Pentecost. is also inviting children to contribute
Williams, Archbishop
Children will celebrate the value their voices and views to The Good
he adds; ‘If you have any further of Canterbury, Lord
of family and the importance of Childhood Inquiry (see page seven
questions, just pick up the phone
Layard, Libby
friendship and reveal their deep for details) the UK’s first national
and call me.’ He means it but,
Brooks, Andrew
Adonis and Camila
concerns like fear of crime and inquiry into childhood.
even as he says this, he adds that
Batmanghelidjh. danger. Focusing on the Eastertide
he’s about to go to India for two For more
messages of ‘new life’, the all-age To find out more information and
weeks to visit the diocesan link
information visit
www.stpauls.co.uk/
worship service uses the biblical to order free materials you can visit
diocese there and some Christian
institute or call
image of the Tree of Life, capturing www.childrenssociety.org.uk/leaves
Aid projects. 020 7489 1011.
children’s prayers and reflections or telephone 0845 600 8585
He’s a busy man indeed, but a
man with the time for modern,
progressive thought and the My story:
drive to help direct the country’s
I have severe anthrogyposis, which affects my joints and muscles and
foremost children’s charity.
And, remember, if you want a job
makes it painful to walk. But no-one really understood what it was like
doing well… Let’s just say that to be me until I started working with The Children’s Society. A group of
The Children’s Society has the
us performed a play to professionals about how disabled people feel
right man as its Chairman.
excluded. Being involved with The Children’s Society has made me more
Interview by Forbes Mutch confident and happy about the future. James, 13
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16