We've sure had some hot weather this week....and some heavy downpours of rain!  I hope you got to see at least one of the rainbows that came out following the rain. When I see a rainbow, it always reminds me of the story of Noah's Ark, and how God put HIs promise of love in the sky as a rainbow. So here's a craft you can make to remind you of the story.  And if you don't know the story, well, then it's up to someone in your family to tell it to you...from the Bible, from a book, or by finding it on-line.  Please read the story!  It's an amazing adventure! And then, make the craft!

  This craft is a cotton ball and yarn rainbow. It's super simple to make, and it's a fantastic way to use up some yarn scraps. Here's how you can make your own. 

Materials:

·         paper plate

·         cotton balls

·         school glue

·         small piece of ribbon

·         yarn in the colours of the rainbow

Depending on the age of your child, you might want to have your yarn pieces cut out ahead of time. I suggest six 15 inch pieces of each colour. You can change the size and quantity of the pieces to suit your fancy.  

Sketch a cloud shape on the paper plate and cut it out. Spread glue all over the cloud template and then go to town pushing the cotton balls on. When that has dried, glue a ribbon to the middle of the cloud. This will let you hang it up easily. After this, glue your yarn pieces on. This part takes quite a bit of glue. Put a layer of glue on the cloud, stick the yarn on, and then perhaps put another layer of glue on top of the yarn to guarantee it's secure, but you could probably omit this step and be good to go.   Hang it up...and enjoy! 

Making a Prayer Basket  Posted Mary 21/2020

Last week’s craft reminded children that they could talk to God at any time.  And I want us to keep reminding our children that prayer is simply talking – asking God for what we need, and thanking God for what we have.  A prayer basket is a way for children to remember this.  What they want to pray for can be written down and put into the basket. Then, with a family member they can read one of their prayer requests daily and pray together, or just talk to God alone.  

Craft Supplies:

  Kleenex box

  Tissue paper

  Construction Paper

  Scissors

  Glue

  Markers

  Small pencil

  String

  White paper

  Hole punch 

Step #1:  Cut the top of the Kleenex box off (the side with the hole in it. Wrap your Kleenex box with tissue paper, and glue it in place.

Step #2: Using the construction paper and markers, decorate the box on all sides, inside too if you want.

Step #3: Cut a one-inch strip from a piece of construction paper. Glue this as a handle on the top of the box.

Step #4: Punch a hole in one side of the box. Feed the string through and tie it. At the other end of the string tie the pencil.

Step #5: Cut some of the white paper into small square – big enough for their prayers. Place these beside or inside the prayer basket.

Prayers might include praying for parents or grandparents, for siblings and friends, or for their school teacher and neighbours.  Prayers might be about their concern over the pandemic, or remembering their fun times at home.  Encourage children to write down what they are thankful for, as well as for what they need. 

Other ideas for the basket include filling it with daily suggestions to be helpful or kind, or names of people who might need a phone call or email.  Pick one a day!

With thanks to Karen Skinner, our children's activity is a Colouring/Activity book to help children learn about the Coronavirus.  It's important that children understand what's going on, because not knowing is so much more frightening. Please see the attachment below