You are hereIdeas
Ideas
Welcome to the Ideas page of the Inspiration section of the Activate website. Here we hope to provide you with useful ideas to inspire you and share with other Activate readers. Add your Ideas here
It's too cold to go out.... so don't.... play Badminton !
Family Badminton Event
Idea - We were surprised at this event as to just how many parents and children enjoyed badminton. We hired four courts at our local sports center and a coach to teach the children, as well as a separate room for creative crafts. We then split all the children into two groups, with the first playing badminton and receiving some coaching tips, while the other group made sports crafts, did activity sheets and enjoyed a drink and a snack.
Play Barn... A great January event...
Idea - There are few families who don’t enjoy a good couple of hours at a creative play barn. We’ve found it to be one of the easiest events to invite families to. The children themselves not only have great fun, but you also get a good deal of time and opportunity to speak with parents while they are doing it.
In addition to asking families, we also encourage a good deal of Christians to come along, even those without families, to chat with the parents and encourage a real sense of welcome.
Quad Biking
Last night I helped run an outreach event with our "Girls' Night Out' Group. Someone had suggested that our pamper/chocolate obsession was too girly and that is was time we did something more adventurous. When Claire, our dynamic business woman, started phoning round, all the offered prices were out of our comfort range: £35 for an hour was not going to be popular! So she offered a deal, we will bring 25 women and come on one of your quiet nights and we don't mind sharing the quads- we are offering £10 per person. The owner went for it!
The One Big Question
Fiona Castle writes -
Recently Michael Baughen, former Bishop of Chester, asked me to write a commendation for his new book, The One Big Question. I did this willingly because he is a man I admire greatly. I was slightly concerned, partly because I was rather busy at the time and I'm a slow reader! I also wondered if it might be too academic for my simple brain! However, I needn't have worried, because I was rivetted from the start.
Digital Nativity
Looking for a different version of the Christmas story to show at your event? This is brilliant!
A fast moving, clever visual feast that uses all the tricks of modern Internet communication to tell the story of Mary, Joseph and the visit of the wise men. The music is a bit naff but the images are so clever it is worth it! A perfect intro to a mince pies and coffee get together round your kitchen table. A snappy start to your pram service. I like the strap line- 'times change - the feeling remains the same'.
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA&feature=YouTube_gdata_player
More Than Gold - get involved with London 2012
I remember the day the announcement was made that London was awarded the Olympics for 2012. It was the 6th of July 2007 and I was sitting at an Activate national executive meeting on the 15th floor of a London hotel. There was a commotion as the news filtered through and cheers rang out in the hotel. Then the Red Arrows flew across London in low flying close formation. It seemed to be all happening around and below us. The excitement was tangible.
Image and Inspiration!
When I was invited to come down to Essex and work with a group of girls to help them with their image and style I lept at the chance! Back in April I was thrilled to share my story of God's grace whilst I gave each party guest a mini colour make over followed by some essential tips on style. By the end of the day all twelve of us, most of whom had never met before, had bonded together and knew a little more about how much God loved us as well as how to look great and feel fabulous.
There's An App For That...
The media is often talking about how the latest technology will change our lives. Every month something new comes out that claims to be the best. In the last couple of years Apple seems to have led the way. The talk over the summer amongst my family and friends has been the i-revolution.
Does the new John Lewis advert make you cry?
My sixteen year old son showed me his favourite new YouTube clip - one that 250,000 others have watched in recent days. This time it is not a song, a crash or a comedian - it is the new John Lewis advert and it is causing a sensation! It cost £6million to shoot and it is proving a memorable hit on TV and the internet. Rosie Baker of 'Marketing Week' said that...
John Lewis’s latest advert has caused the entire female population to have a collective “moment”, it seems.
Discovery - Become a Transforming Influence in Your Community
Discovery is a practical process from Tearfund designed to help your church become a transforming influence within your community.
Written by skilled practitioners who have worked extensively in inner-city communities, Discovery draws on Tearfund's experience of working with churches and community groups in the UK and overseas. It aims to build on the strengths and aspirations of your church group to help them put their plans into action.
Discovery will help your church to:
make a difference in your community, transforming lives and offering purpose and hope
