BBC Children in Need Appeal

Every year thousands of children, families, communities and organisations get involved with the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal. Here are some ideas for ministry around the Live Appeal Show, which this year will be Friday, November 13th.

Each year, BBC Children in Need supports lots of programmes, organisations and resources that help families to flourish in our communities. So it’s also a great time to find out how Children in Need is touching those around your parish. Here are some suggestions for connecting with what’s happening locally.

EXPLORE

Why is this particular event an opportunity to extend your church ministry around Life Events? The Revd Sandra Millar, Head of Life Events, offers some reflections:

Article : Generosity in Action : ministry around the BBC Children in Need Appeal

PLAN

Hold a ‘Get ready for Children in Need’ event at church, with space for families to come up with ideas for fundraising, make costumes, plan a challenge, build a prayer wall etc.

If you decide to lead a fundraising initiative as a church, there are lots of resources on the BBC website for publicising this, along with the sorts of things you can do. See the BBC website for more.

PRAY

Say a special prayer in a school assembly, toddler group or at a church service before and after the Live Show. You might like to include simple gestures for ‘generous, kind, love’. For example;

Loving God
Help us to be generous [ throw arms, wide, palms up]
Help us to be kind [ arms out, palms facing inwards, as if gathering]
Help us to be creative [ wriggle fingers]
Help us to be loving [hand on heart]
So that Children in Need are helped today and every day.  Amen

On Sunday, November 15^th , the Sunday after the Live Show, give thanks for all that has been achieved in the prayers. Perhaps choose a local project supported by Children in Need and tell its story to and through church. Social media is one low-effort way to do this as well as in the service itself.

Go back to Festivals and follow up.

Photo of Pudsey Bear above kindly supplied by the Derby Telegraph