REACHING THE COMMUNITY
including TODDLER GROUPS
How can church serve the local community and take the opportunity to develop relationships with families?
Toddler groups provide a huge potential for churches to connect with young families (in 2009 it was calculated that half of children under four years old in England accessed some form of church-based parent & toddler group).
There are also a growing number of churches providing groups for dads and their children and there are plenty of other ways churches can reach out.
The soul of football
(Mark Chester, Barnabas)
2016 & 2015 conference recommendation by Mark Chester & Tony Sharp
‘Hello, John. It’s Mike here from 6th Rhyl. I’ve not heard from you, but I assume the game’s off in the morning.’ ‘No, the match is still on, Mike.’ ‘But, John, there’s a couple of inches of snow on the ground.’ ‘Not on our pitch there isn’t, Mike, or should I say there won’t be by kick-off. It’s all sorted. The game’s on.’ In The Soul of Football, Mark Chester looks back at his early dreams and aspirations and considers, through the events of his own life and reflections such as ‘Understanding the coach’ and ‘Playing by the rules’, what life lessons the ‘beautiful game’ has taught him.
Through the year with Who Let The Dad’s Out?
(Mark Chester, Barnabas)
2016 & 2015 conference recommendation by Mark Chester & Tony Sharp
Everything you need to set up and run a Who Let The Dads Out? session! Celebrating ten years of Who Let The Dads Out?, this resource contains a year’s worth of session material for group leaders, including fresh ideas for themes, games and crafts.
Who Let The Dad’s Out?
(Mark Chester, Barnabas)
2016 conference recommendation by Mark Chester & Tony Sharp
2015 conference recommendation by Catherine Kyte and Mark Chester
2014 conference recommendation by Alison Clark & Claire Wells and Mark Chester & Tony Sharp
Parent and toddler work can strengthen families and transform relationships, yet sometimes men have limited access to the parent and toddler world. This book tells the story of Who Let The Dads Out? and gives practical ideas for setting up and running monthly sessions.
SODA: School’s out, dad’s about
(Mark Chester, Barnabas)
2016, 2105 & 2014 conference recommendation by Mark Chester & Tony Sharp
There are 3 sections to this book:
- School’s Out, Dad’s About clubs are for dad’s and their Reception to Year 2 children.
- Daddy Cool! is a five-session parenting programme – food, activity, competition and facing up to the challenges of being a dad.
- Soul Man? discussion groups for dads that want the chance to think about their beliefs and values.
Sue says: if you’re looking for a book similar in format to Who let the Dad’s Out but for older children, you will be disappointed. The main focus is on the dad’s programmes Daddy Cool! and Soul Man?
Creative mission
(Rona Orme, Barnabas)
This book contains a wealth of ideas to help churches, large and small, urban and rural, to connect with people who have occasional contact with the church, as well as suggestions for the church family to join in community events. Many of the ideas are for families, children and adults, to enjoy together or alongside one another. Some ideas can be used within worship; others are for social events, fundraising activities, campaigns for justice across the world or RE and assemblies in schools.
The ideas are arranged in four sections to fit with the seasons of the year. Some follow the church calendar; others link with secular high points in the year such as Valentine’s Day, Red Nose Day, Father’s Day and ‘Back to School’.
More creative mission
(Rona Orme, Barnabas)
Contains over 40 practical, pick-and-mix ideas for churches to use as part of their outreach in every season of the year. This title presents ideas that can be used in worship, both in church or school assemblies; for social events, fundraising activities, RE and Citizenship lessons and campaigns for justice across the world.
Building blocks
Download a free PDF from the Salvation Army web site.
Sue says: A useful document to help you reassess your existing group. The first additional resource is particularly helpful to think through mission opportunities.
Cinnamon Network
Cinnamon champions church-based community projects, both big and small, aiming to provide practical support and a strong network for them to rapidly expand and grow in impact.
The web site has links to Recognised Projects – tried and tested ideas that can be taken off the shelf, set up and run by local church volunteers. Some of these are just running in one or two churches at the moment, others are already reaching out nationally. In the area of family and children’s ministry are:
- 4Family equips local churches to train volunteers to support isolated, lonely or vulnerable families in their communities.
- Baby Basics helps local churches to provide vulnerable women with essential equipment for life with a new baby. They work closely with midwives, health visitors and other agencies to provide a safe and reliable service.
- MakeLunch helps local churches to provide meals during the holidays for children who would otherwise go hungry because they receive free school dinners during school term time only.
- TLG Early Intervention helps local churches work in primary schools amongst children at risk of exclusion.
- Trussell Trust food banks.
- Who Let The Dads Out? helps local churches to establish projects which give dads, father figures and their children the opportunity to spend time together and have fun and provides resources to support dads in their fathering role.
The good practice guide for parents and toddler groups
Download a free PDF from the Salvation Army web site.
Sue says: A really useful check list for those setting up a new group.
Who Let The Dads Out?
The web site for Who Let The Dads Out? SODA and Soul Man.
Why don’t dads come to church?
(Mark Chester & Tony Sharp, 2016 conference)
We’re often great at reaching out and supporting mothers and their children, but we still struggle to engage with dads. Examine the reasons why and look at the impact working with dads and their toddlers can have.
Delegate rating 8/10
Reaching out to families
(Rachel Mlambo, 2014 conference)
Who are the families we are reaching out to? What are their needs? How can we engage with them practically and spiritually?
delegate rating 8/10
Who Let The Dads Out?
(Mark Chester and Tony Sharp,2014 conference)
Want to engage with the fathers in your community? Explore how to join the growing ‘Who Let The Dads Out?’ movement by setting up a group at your church.
delegate rating 8/10
Not just paint, potties and play dough:
the joy of running toddler groups!
(Alison Clark and Claire Wells,2014 conference)
Looking at some of the practicalities of running a church-led parent and toddler group, referring to resources and organisations where you can get help and support to build your team and draw on the gifts and talents around you!
delegate rating 7/10