21 April 2006
New look Rainbow dazzles after redesign
MethodistChildren has re-launched Rainbow, the magazine for 4 to
13 year-olds. Produced by Junior Mission for All (JMA), it has a
fantastic new look with stunning images illustrating the lives of
children all over the world.
As before, Rainbow continues to look at the Church in the whole
world, but the focus will be on providing news and ways to learn,
pray and serve for all children. The magazine is free to all
children, and children's workers are being encouraged to give it
those who collect for JMA as they always have, but also to all
children in the church.
It can be used in Junior Church, mid-week groups or in worship to
help children understand how Christians in other countries live and
celebrate their faith. Additional background material in the Follow
Up Notes (FUN) help make the most of it as an educational
resource.
FUN too is changing. It's growing and becoming an even more
invaluable resource for all children's workers with a JMA puppet
drama, news of resources, ideas and suggestions for recycling and
climate change activities with children.
The latest issue includes prayers written by children from
Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and pictures from the World Council of
Churches in Brazil. It is also launching an appeal to help the
thousands of people in Pakistan who are suffering after the massive
October 2005 earthquake. Bishop Sammy Azariah from the Church of
Pakistan has asked JMA to help make a difference by providing a
basic health unit to meet the needs of the survivors of this
tragedy. JMA has accepted the challenge to raise £15,000 for this,
and is asking all its supporters to make an extra fundraising
effort to help the Christian Church in this Muslim country turn
this opportunity into a reality.
Steve Pearce, Children's Secretary for the Methodist Church, said;
'It's all about showing children that this is their world and that
they can make a real difference. Rainbow is a fantastic resource
and, thanks to Audrey Facey of the design team at Methodist Church
House, its new look makes it even more accessible for children and
adults alike. Raising the money for survivors of the earthquake
seems like an enormous task, but we know that we can do it with the
help of our supporters.'