Jacqui Hyde – författare

We Welcome You is a three-part baptism preparation course to help parishes prepare families for their child’s baptism and to discover the joyful start of a lifelong journey of faith. Drawing on extensive research with families, the course helps parishes to engage families with practical tips on welcome and on helping children and families prepare well for this significant spiritual moment.We Welcome You can be used with small groups or with individual families, but there are also options for using the material in a single session and even at a home visit. Containing all the resources necessary, it covers every aspect of this vital ministry and aims to enrich pastoral practice and, importantly, the experience of families.Session 1 helps families to reflect on why they want their child baptized, the importance of godparents, and the deeper meaning of baptism.Session 2 looks at the baptism service itself and the promises made at it, and explores the key symbols and their significance.Session 3 encourages families to continue on their spiritual journey, with ideas for praying with their child, reading Bible stories togetherand becoming part of a local church community.Informal and participative, the course offers a wide range of approaches including icebreaker activities and discussion starters, storytelling, reflection and discussion, crafts, quizzes and games. All handouts are photocopiable.

This helpful resource provides a ready-made three-part course for parents and godparents bringing children for baptism and offers resources for the church family to understand its key role in baptism and the best welcome possible.

George Morgan is a boy in his early teens who lives in the West Country. He attends a fairly large private boys school where, on one particular summers, day, he meets the new school caretaker a man who changes his whole way of living.George and his family are to be staying with an elderly aunt who lives by the Welsh coast a secluded place but one that is always full of excitement. The cottage and coastal area in this village belong to his aunt, but he is soon to uncover secrets that have been lost for many years. His life soon changes, and he meets people from the past that he didnt even know existed. He then begins to realise that the things around him are not as they once seemed to be. He uncovers relics which form pictures in his mind as to the future. Then, due to the sudden death of his aunt, his lifestyle is completely changed and he is guided by the family nanny, Pearl, through the past to the present. This journey shows him what is awaiting him in the future.