Latest Stories – July 2023

Puppet-tastic

As a new school year approaches, some teams might want to explore different ways to deliver Open the Book. Perhaps someone you know has created or bought their own puppets, or maybe you could use these helpful tips to explore using them to deliver Open the Book. 

An important mission

We love to hear from Storytellers who have been blessed by their work. We are delighted to share some stories with you from Trish Earlam, a Storyteller from Wrexham. 

The day was sunny, and the dog was hot as we looked for some much-needed shade. As we passed two young, ice cream-splattered and happy children, we could hear them whispering.

‘That’s the lady from Open the Book!’ 
‘No, it’s not! It’s Trish from Girls’ Brigade!’ whispered the little voices.
  
A few moments later both girls were asking if they could stroke the dog and asking excitedly ‘When are you back at school?’ 

My links with both the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades have led to some very interesting stories. 

In October we shared the story of the Good Samaritan, and not feeling fully up to taking part as I had just had surgery, I played the man who was robbed using a helpful puppet for the majority of the story. Two months later at Boys’ Brigade one of the older boys approached me.

‘Are you feeling better now?’ he asked innocently.  ‘Am I better?’ I asked, wondering if the other leaders had shared that I had been in hospital.  

‘After those robbers beat you up!’ he said with a little gleam of a teasing smile.  ‘That was one of my favourite stories!’ he added. 

‘Not mine!’ another child added. ‘I liked the one where the king put the man in jail!’

‘Can you tell me the whole story?’ I asked, sitting down. And each began telling me their favourite story with a few prompts from the other members until it was time to start.

I really love hearing how the children remember the stories and the impact we make through them. In truth we never know how far these stories spread. But I am very thankful for all the Storytellers, the wonderfully re-written stories and for the Bible Society. 

By Trish Earlam, Wrexham Methodist Circuit Youth Worker and member of Caergwrle,Gresford, Llangollen and formerly Penyffordd and Wrexham Open the Book teams

Growing disciples

When we announced that we were forming a new team in a nearby school, Eileen, a frail elderly lady in our church, said she would love to join but it wasn’t feasible. We invited her to be our prayer partner. Eileen happily agreed but said she wished we were going into Haylands Primary, her grandchildren’s school in another town. She was concerned that her grandchildren had no Christian input.

Several months later Haylands Primary appointed a new headteacher, Mrs B. Mrs B had been teaching in another school in which we regularly present OtB. She immediately invited us to come to Haylands. 

Last week, Eileen went to visit her family. As soon as she arrived, her granddaughter ran up to her and excitedly announced, ‘I was a disciple in Open the Book this morning.’

Every blessing

Julie Croydon, IOW Team Leader and Volunteer Trainer

Membership update

Our membership scheme launched in May and you were sent an email inviting you to sign up with a link. If you haven’t done so already you can do that now. Full Membership will cost £20 a year, and Associate Membership will cost £5 a year. The ‘Member Benefits’ document below outlines the difference. Here's a table which tells you the difference between Full and Associate membership and outlines which resources are available in Welsh.  We also have a recorded conversation about the new membership and programme, you can watch it now. 

Visit our FAQs

Family Advent Box 2023 – coming soon!

The Family Advent Box will make for a FAB Christmas season in your home. It’s packed with ideas and everything you need for interactive, memory-making, family fun which is suitable for all ages. You’ll learn more about Christmas and each other, while engaging in some easy and inexpensive activities that will build the festive spirit in your home.

Just chose a time when your family can gather together each day. This could be before or after your evening meal, or another time that works better for you. And wherever you are on your journey with Jesus, the Bible or church – this box is for everyone. There are plenty of opportunities to question, discuss and explore.

Find out more and pre-order your box here: https://biblesociety.org.uk/familyadvent

Open the Book Sponsorship

Sponsor a team to grow Open the Book overseas.

Sponsorship is an opportunity for you to bring the transformative joy of the Bible into schools beyond this country. With a donation of £200, you or your team or church can sponsor an Open the Book project overseas. You’ll be fully funding the work of one team for a year, enabling them to visit schools across their country with Open the Book’s proven programme of engaging Bible storytelling.

Sponsor a team