Bromley Hub News
There is SO much going on in Bromley Hub right now! Read all about it in their first newsletter of the year AND find out how you could get involved!
Dear All,
Happy New Year and welcome to my very first edition of the Spinnaker Bromley Hub Newsletter. You may be familiar with the work of Spinnaker in primary schools, or you may have seen updates and resources posted on our website or on social media from time to time. You may even know children who have experienced Spinnaker Worship Assemblies, RE Lessons or Bible Clubs. That’s all great, but this newsletter aims to give you the full low-down on where we are as a borough, and what’s going on in BROMLEY right now!
Firstly, let me introduce myself. My name is Katie Burtonshaw and I’ve worked part-time for Spinnaker as a School’s Worker since 2009. In 2012 I became the Hub Leader for Orpington, leading worship in schools and supporting and training volunteers to regularly go into their local primary schools to lead collective worship assemblies (with the backing of their churches). In addition to that I have always been involved in helping to write and produce the Spinnaker resources. I love working with children and sharing Jesus with them in creative, fun, practical and educational ways – making Jesus relevant in their lives today. As well as working part-time for Spinnaker, I work for Green Street Green Baptist Church as the Children’s Worker, and I am a member of Bromley SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education in Bromley).
Why am I telling you all this? Because, as Hub Leader for Bromley I would like to offer you my support and experience working with your church to help you partner with your local primary school, delivering good quality Collective Worship Assemblies. The schools are crying out for our help!
Katie Burtonshaw, Bromley Hub Leader
Historically, Spinnaker has always had very good relationships with the Primary Schools in Bromley. Our Spinnaker Team in Bromley - Jess from Jubilee, Helen from St. Augustine’s and I - currently visit 10 primary schools between us each term, delivering fortnightly collective worship or lessons. Since the pandemic and lockdown sadly our team, and the schools we visit, have dwindled … BUT we are now READY to get back up to full strength – offering free training and resources to those able to join our team.
IT'S JESUS…
Our main focus this term has been sharing our new collective worship series: ‘It’s Jesus!’. These assembly resources tell children about different episodes and teachings from Jesus’ life, through story, games, and reflection. We want to tell children about Jesus, show how we can learn from Him and how He is relevant in their lives. We are privileged to be invited to visit many community schools where there are children who may not otherwise hear about Jesus. The worship assemblies are accompanied by original illustrations by Sarah Horne, which the children love; they are so bright and colourful and encapsulate the story or theme brilliantly. You can see them on the Resources page of the Spinnaker website (www.spinnaker.org.uk/resources)
Illustration from 'It's Jesus'
TRAINING …
At the beginning of every term, we always have Spinnaker Team Training. Last week, as well as worship, prayer and ministry we laughed, learned, listened and lunched together as we heard from Ruth Parnell and her inspiring heart for Chaplaincy in primary schools and considered how we can develop that part of our roles in Spinnaker.
Katie's Prayer Arrows and Target from Spinnaker Training
BROMLEY SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
Once again in June this year, Spinnaker will be supporting the Bromley Schools Festival by running workshops for Year 5 children from across the Borough of Bromley on the theme of ‘Caring for God’s Creation’. We very much look forward to taking part in this wonderful event hosted by St Peter & St Paul's Parish Church Bromley.
PRAYER
We would love to share the ‘It’s Jesus’ Resource with more schools in the area. Please pray for more doors to open for collective worship assemblies or lessons. Please also pray for the team as we visit our current schools and the writing team who are busy developing next term’s resources.
And finally, please contact me if you would like any support in working with your local primary school. I look forward to hearing from you.
Katie Burtonshaw
