PCI Children's Ministry

03/06/2026

BOOK CLUB

It's time to announce the book for June and this will be the last book before the summer break.

The idea of Book Club is that a book is announced for the month, I then read it and post a review at the end of the month. You can either read the books along with me or if you read a review you might then decide to give it a go.

Our June book is Mind of Their Own by Katherine Hill.

Happy reading! I will post my review on 30th June.

02/06/2026

Children's Ministry Basics: short training videos which could help with your holiday Bible club this year.

Also if you want a holiday Bible club visit there are still spaces. See earlier post and get in touch!

Help with Holiday Bible Club basics

Is your congregation running a Holiday Bible Club this summer? Taking time in preparation to do the basics well can make all the difference to how things go.

Children’s Ministry Basics offer seven short video clips you can use together as a team or share via social media with those involved in delivery.

Themes covered include:
• Leading from the front;
• Teaching the memory verse;
• Telling the story;
• Opening the Bible with children;
• Planning your programme;
• Discipline;
• Including children with special needs.

Why not have a look?

https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Resources/Congregational-Life/Children-Youth-and-Family/Children-s-Ministry-Basics.aspx

The Children’s Ministry Hub offers ideas and resources to encourage and equip congregations and leaders in developing ministry among children.

29/05/2026

ALONGSIDE

Is there a project in your congregation with children, youth and families that could happen if you had a funding boost or some extra training?

Check out the link below for more information about the Alongside grants that the Presbyterian Children's Society provide in conjunction with the Council for Congregational Life and Witness.

Alongside small grant scheme for children’s, youth and family ministry

The Presbyterian Children’s Society offer small grants to support congregations as they come alongside children, young people and families to show the love of Christ in a caring and practical way.

The following organisations have been selected as potential partners; however, congregations may also apply for funding for their own initiatives.
• Made for More
• Thrive Academy
• Eden Consultancy NI

Closing date for applications is 30 November 2026, or until the budget for the scheme is exhausted.

For further details click here >>
www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org/alongside-grants

28/05/2026

THE BOOKSHELF

Not all stories come in a traditional book but can be listened and loved just the same.

The Good Book Company have produced some of the books that we have reviewed on The Bookshelf on cards that can be played on Yoto.

You might want to have a look and see what is available!

https://www.thegoodbook.com/now-on-yoto

27/05/2026

BOOK CLUB REVIEW (longer post)

Raising Gen Alpha by Dave Boden

This book had me interested from the first page. Firstly, I am the parent of a Gen Alpha. Secondly, I am involved in children’s ministry in my congregation with a group of Gen Alphas as well as developing ministry for our denomination with this age group. Lastly, the author is from England so the statistics and context he is writing about is closer to our experience than some of the writing coming from America.

Boden describes Generation/Gen Alpha as those born 2010-2024 into a world dominated by AI, streaming services and virtual reality, who are the first generation to grow up entirely in the twenty-first century.

You may not think that the year of your birth matters in terms of how you view and interact with the world but cultural analysis would suggest otherwise. However, it is also important to remember that although “generational thinking offers a helpful lens…it’s never the whole picture”.

The book then goes on to discuss over the following chapters how Gen Alpha are influenced by the big issues of their generation and how as Christian parents and leaders, we can support them and speak the truth of the Gospel into their lives. These topics include being anxious minded, a leading influence, pandemic impacted, hyperconnected and AI shaped.

I would thoroughly recommend this book if you would like a insight into the world that our children are living and growing up in, with insights into how the truths of the timeless gospel can help them (and us) to navigate these times as the church and help them to engage with the Saviour of all generations.

22/05/2026

THE BOOKSHELF (AGE 8-12 YEARS)

10 Questions about the Bible by Todd Chipman

Asking questions about God and the Bible is a really important part of our faith development and growth but, when children are young, finding the answers can be difficult. Some books are too complicated and some are not complicated enough on topics that older children and young teens have questions about.

This devotion book – 10 questions about the Bible – encourages children aged 8+ years to investigate and work out answers to big questions. This book provides children with reliable biblical and practical answers to the questions they have like:
• How did we get the Bible?
• How should the Bible be read?
• How do I know I can trust the Bible?

Each book in this series presents 10 questions about one topic – in this case the Bible – and each question has three attached devotions. Children can work through the thirty devotions on their own or with family and this can act as a great kick-starter for older children and early teens to read the Bible for themselves.

A great recommendation for this age group.

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20/05/2026

TWEENIES

A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Tweenies Toddler group at Ballygrainey Presbyterian.

We made turtles at the craft table, had a lovely snack and heard a story about how Jesus helped the disciples to catch an overflowing net of fish. It was great!

If there was one thing in terms of support that you need for your toddlers' group, what would it be?

19/05/2026

SUPPORT FOR YOUR CONGREGATION

Could you use some extra support for your congregation's children's ministry?

🟡Shaping a ministry among children to the opportunities, needs and resources in your congregation;
🟡Facilitating a conversation among Kirk Session and/or other leaders about children’s specific ministry and integrating young people into church life;
🟡Constructing a programme and choosing resources;
🟡Encouraging, developing and training leaders;
🟡Speaking in a church service about children's ministry or in an all-age service
🟡GB displays or enrolment services
🟡Toddler group support
🟡Other children's ministry support

If you would like to avail of some extra support please use the link below to get in touch!

https://presbyterianireland.org/children-youth-and-family/childrens-ministry-hub/childrens-ministry-support

18/05/2026

BLAZE AND FEBA RADIO 🐝

The fourth and last Specialist Service Agency connected to PCI is Feba Radio.

Feba's ministry is all about the creative use of radio and other audio media to inspire people to follow Jesus Christ.

Feba’s focus on radio and audio media as a tool for Christian mission is founded on a belief that the spoken word and use of audio technologies can be used to share God's unique love with people in some very difficult, hard-to-reach places. They are particularly interested in reaching countries where people cannot worship God openly or that have never heard the Gospel. They want to reach Christians who face persecution for their faith, where they're a marginalised minority.

They want those who hear their radio broadcasts to understand Jesus promise in John 10:10 - "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Pray for those involved in making the programmes for Feba Radio.

From next week, we are going to share specific stories from the Specialist Service agencies 🐝

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15/05/2026

THE BOOKSHELF (AGE 6+ YEARS)

Storing up treasure by Kyle Bjerga
Release date 1 June 2026

This is a beautiful new family devotional recommended for use with children aged 6 years and older which helps them to learn parts of God’s Word by heart. It connects memory verses to situations that children face in their everyday, helping them see how the truth of God’s Word can help them in their faith.

Your family can use this guide to spend time together memorising God’s Word in creative way, worshipping God and having conversations about faith. As you move through the devotions you will be helping your children to store up treasure from Scripture in their hearts.

Included are 30 memory verses with 5 short devotions for each which will help your family to engage with the text of the passage, relate the verses to everyday situations and circumstances and enjoy lots of different ways to help with memorisation, like games and activities.

The book can either be worked through systematically or you can choose the verse that best fits scenarios that your children are going through at the time. A great new family devotional for the bookshelf.

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