Author Archives: Sharon Harding
About Sharon Harding
I was born in England and immigrated to Canada almost 30 years ago. A graduate of Gloucestershire University (B.Ed.), I have been involved in children’s ministry since I was 16. Over the past 12 years I have written for a variety of Christian Education curriculum resources. I also write a blog at rediscoveredfamilies.com encouraging parents to build strong connections with their children. When I am not working I enjoy painting, reading, and pottering around the Internet.Christian Education and Outreach
Christian education provides us with a wonderful opportunity to help children learn how to connect belief and action. Linking instruction with mission opportunities allows young learners to experience the connection between what they are learning in church and the real world. Community is strengthened as children learn how to work together and develop their gifts. It also creates the opportunity to see God at work, as God has a way of multiplying our efforts and bringing transformation. These kinds of activities are exciting and build faith. Continue reading
What are the children hearing?
What do the children in our churches need to hear and hear often? What should we be saying to them over and over? What words would encourage and affirm them as precious children of God? Continue reading
Celebrating the season of Epiphany
Some children (and adults) will experience this time of year as a bit of an anticlimax. Christmas is over, the decorations are coming down, and now it is time to get back to the normal routines of life. One of the things we can try to convey is that Christmas may be over, but the birth of Jesus is the start of something really incredible. In the church the season of Epiphany is one of glory and wonder. It is filled with wonderful stories and rich imagery. How will you celebrate this season with the children? Continue reading
Talking about the Incarnation
At this time of the church year we have the opportunity to focus on the mystery and wonder of the incarnation. This is a challenging task for Christian educators. While most children will readily identify with the baby in a manger, they may have difficulty in grasping the more abstract concepts of the incarnation. So where do we start? How do we begin to introduce this topic with children? Continue reading
What should I say?
A helpful article “Dealing With Grief: Five Things NOT To Say And Five Things To Say In A Trauma Involving Children ” Continue reading
Nurturing Hope
Christian hope is grown and nurtured in the community of faith, the church. We can share the message that God continues to bring hope, even in the most desperate of circumstances. We can talk about our hopes for the world, and invite the children to do the same. Continue reading
Advent Resources
Do you ever wonder how we managed before the Internet? I remember that planning took a lot more effort and it was necessary to build a substantial library of resources. Now if I need an idea for an activity all I have to do is go to my computer. I am so grateful for all the creative individuals who post their ideas on-line. This week I would like to share some wonderful Advent resources I have found on-line. I hope you find them useful. Continue reading
The wonder and challenge of Advent
How do we help children and their families find creative ways of celebrating Advent? How can we enable them to find that quiet place of expectancy in the midst of overfull schedules and lengthy “to do lists?” How can we do this without overburdening our volunteers, so that they too can experience a season of joyful anticipation? Continue reading
