Latest Stories – April 2023

A sneak peak at the new programme

We are really looking forward to the launch of our new programme and are excited to give you a sneak peak of some of the items that will soon be available. 

We have taken on board all the feedback from Storytellers and have made some great changes to make the materials more usable. This includes space for multiple school details on our Z cards. These double up as a name badge along with your photo ID, should this be required, for you to show when going into schools. 

The new Z card and a sheet of stickers will come to you as part of the new full membership pack, and you will be able to order extra free stickers when required. Our new stickers give children a choice, so they can choose their favourite!

Membership update

Our membership scheme will launch on 22 May and you will be able to join on that day via our website; we’ll send an email with a link. Your member packs will then be shipped directly to you, including the new Storytelling Bible and Open the Book Storytellers’ Handbook as part of the full member pack.  

We’ve prepared a Frequently Asked Questions section for you on our website.

A Story Well Told tour featuring Bob Hartman and friends

We are excited to bring our author Bob Hartman, along with friends, to explore the power of Bible storytelling at a venue near you. 

You can find out more details and venue addresses in our resources area. If you sign up as a full member you will receive a code for a free ticket for you and one for a friend.

Come along and hear more about how a Bible story well told has the power to spark the imagination, inspire exploration, give hope, create a smile, teach important lessons and connect generations. Plus Bob will be doing some book signings if you bring your new Storytelling Bible along with you.

Locations:
South West Area – Cullompton, Monday 3 July 2.00–4.00 pm
South Wales Area – Port Talbot, Monday 5 July 2.00–4.00 pm
Yorkshire Area – Sheffield, Friday 7 July 2.00–4.00 pm
North Area – Newcastle upon Tyne, Saturday 8 July 2.00–4.00 pm
South Area – Basingstoke, Monday 10 July 2.00–4.00 pm
Mid North West Area – Wolverhampton, Tuesday 11 July 2.00–4.00 pm
East Area – Ely, Monday 17 July 6.30–8.30 pm

Happy Easter Open the Book!

Greetings from South Woodham Ferrers Open the Book group. We 'service' two schools with Open the Book visits. We also hold a monthly arts and crafts session for two hours on a Saturday. At Easter one of the activities was for children to make an card, anticipating they would be for parents, grandparents etc.

We were thrilled when one youngster produced an Easter card for Open the Book. We all feel blessed that God has led us to such a rapport between the school and the Open the Book team.

Michael Clark

More about John Allen, at 104 our oldest volunteer!

John Allen is our oldest Open the Book Storyteller and is pretty modest. He gets fun out of silly happenings. Two years ago, Western Power (as it was then) rang John as he’d complained his electricity supply was erratic.

The young man asked security questions first, including his date of birth. John replied 26 March 1919. There was a silence then he was asked to repeat his date of birth.
Astounded, the chap said, ‘Do you live alone, sir?’
‘Yes.’
‘But who looks after you?’
‘I look after myself. I get two free lunches a week from my daughter but otherwise I do my own shopping and cooking.’ They fixed his electricity two days later!

The headteacher at Hayward’s School, where the team visit, has been known to take over a class in a hurry because John asked if a certain teacher was around, because he’d like to say hello. ‘You must go,’ the head would insist. ‘It’s John! I’ll look after Reception for you!’

Diocese of Manchester RE Talks Conference 

On 24 March a merry band of Open the Book staff and volunteer trainers went to the glorious Gorton Monastery in Manchester for the Diocese of Manchester’s RE Talks Conference. We had a stall and covered it with Open the Book props including colourful fish, palms and bulrushes, a baby Moses, tinsel and stars, a trio of fabrics and an epic Goliath banner. We dressed up in costume and had Joseph, a king, an angel, and a biblical everyday person. We definitely caught people’s attention. Who will forget the colourful stall with people wearing curtains, knitted beards and dressing gowns? The day was full of inspiring talks, including Bob Hartman’s. He shared both personal and biblical stories with great passion, making us laugh and helping us once again experience the power of the cross. He even came over to the Open the Book stall and had a good chat with us. We had a great time meeting people and giving out this year’s Easter booklet. Also, it was wonderful for Open the Book staff and volunteer trainers to meet each other. Such joy! Thank you to everyone who made this wonderful day possible.

Resources

Glorious Grandparenting

Calling all grandparents! Fun, challenging, inspiring, exhausting, the grandparenting years can mark a glorious time with our younger generations. Come to a free workshop for grandparents of teenagers, children and pre-schoolers:
• Enrich your relationships at different ages and stages
• Share your faith – overcoming barriers
• Celebrate the challenges and blessings.
Online sessions:
• Thursday 15 June 2023, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
• Monday 19 June 2023, from 7.00 pm to 8.45 pm

Primary School Poetry Challenge: Let the Scriptures Speak

For World Poetry Day - www.godwhospeaks.uk/poetry-challenge-let-the-scriptures-speak/

Gospels in Schools resource

Take your pupils more deeply into the Gospel stories with this new resource for KS1 and KS2, exploring 42 Gospel passages and providing background information and questions. The Gospels in Schools resource is free to download and available in both the Good News Bible translation (GNB) and the English Standard Version (ESV).