• Colette replied to the topic Recommended Resources in the forum Advent 5 years, 4 months ago

    A quick search will bring up all sorts of online activities and things to do over the Advent period, but we thought you might like two sites that have previously provided word-prompts for the Photo Challenge mentioned previously on our post on the 31st October: Busted Halo ( https://bustedhalo.com/tag/advent) & the LEC Family (…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic Recommended Resources in the forum Advent 5 years, 4 months ago

    Paula Gooder is a popular author with our RRC members so it’s fitting to mention her The Meaning is in the Waiting. This short reflection on the theme of waiting has a a section for each week of the Advent season although each chapter is broken into six sections if you want to read something daily.. Following the weekly themes presented in the…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic Recommended Resources in the forum Advent 5 years, 4 months ago


    We still have plenty of time before advent begins so how about creating your own ‘Do it yourself Advent Calendar’?

    If you find the chocolate stuffed shop bought versions a little lightweight why not create your own? Create the calendar with numbered paper bags, 24 socks or the adventurous might create their own Matchbox Chest: This requires…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic Recommended Resources in the forum Advent 5 years, 4 months ago

    The Religious Resources Centre has a lot of books to use with children during Advent to prepare them for the Christmas story.

    Alison Mitchell & Catalania Echeverri; The Christmas Promise – a retelling of the Christmas story, is a beautifully illustrated version of the Christmas story told with a sense of fun and drama, it ends up focusing on the…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic Recommended Resources in the forum Advent 5 years, 4 months ago

    Some people enjoy a book to dip into during Advent. Haphazard by Starlight, an anthology, chosen by Janet Morley, features a poem for every day from the beginning of Advent, through Christmas, and up to the feast of Epiphany. With poets as varied as Rowan Williams, Sylvia Plath, Philip Larkin and William Blake there’s something for pretty much all…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 8 years, 11 months ago

    Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture make the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca. They stand shoulder to shoulder before the Ka’aba praising Allah together. It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 8 years, 11 months ago

    The family is considered extremely important in Islam. The Muslim family encompasses the entire circle of familial relationships, including in-laws. Obligations to parents and other relatives are strongly stressed. Extended family often live in the same house or neighbourhood, and even when they do not, the family is quite close emotionally.
    What…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 1 month ago

    This week we’re looking at funerals. They can be viewed as a time for remembrance and sorrow or one for celebration of life. But what gives these end of life ceremonies meaning and purpose? Who is a funeral for? This short article from the Church of England explores non-churchgoers feelings to approaching a vicar: h…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 1 month ago

    Is death the one thing that gives life its real meaning? When a person dies we grieve for them and we remember them. Some funeral ceremonies – both religious and non-religious – are intentionally a celebration of life. Do you think that, though often devastating, death can help us to appreciate the life we have?

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 1 month ago

    Revelation 21.1-7: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth were disappeared, and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready…”. What are your views on this quote?

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 1 month ago

    Montaigne states: “To practise death is to practise freedom. A person who has learned how to die has unlearned how to be a slave.” This is not just a secular point of view – many religions have death (and existence after death) as a focus point for believers: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 2 months ago

    Death may be a conversation stopper in daily life but it is a feature of most art. The RRC has a particular love of film as a medium and many films have a death at the centre of their plot. My Girl, City of Angels and Dead Poets Society all explore how the death of a loved one may be the way to appreciate the meaning to life itself. Does death…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 2 months ago

    Many RE teachers are asked, at Key Stage 3, to explore the question “Is death our last taboo?”. Do you think this is true? Are most people now afraid to talk about death – whether their own or that of a loved one? Death is a difficult subject to approach – do you think it is too difficult to discuss?

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    Do you want some hands on resources to explore the sacrament of baptism at Keystage 1? We have a Water Storybag bringing to life the stories of Jesus and even a real marble font!

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    Whether it’s an infant or adult baptism the ceremony will often share the same important symbols.
    Are you teaching about symbols in baptism in Christianity? We have a great Symbols and Sacrament Topic box, with all the resources you need for to explore representation and symbolism.

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    Jack Black isn’t the only actor to baptise someone on the big screen: can you think of any other baptism scenes in a film? What does it say about the ceremony and about the faith? The RRC has several movies which feature a ‘baptism’ moment and there are many other film clips out there! Attached is an excellent PDF with a great range of suggested…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    Not everyone thinks that baptism is essential… sounds like a contradiction but there are faithful Christians who argue that baptism, from a Christian point of view, can be a burden rather than a blessing. If you’re interested in this view we have a thoughtful article on offer here about Simone Weil and we also have her books in stock too! Do let…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    Many Christian denominations baptise babies, but others believe this is a ceremony that should be reserved for adults who can give knowing consent. It’s the path to salvation and should be a choice each person makes for them self!
    For more information on the Baptist view see this great website…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 3 months ago

    In the Bible, (Gospel of Mark Chapter 16, verse 16), Jesus says, “The one who believes and is baptised will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned”. Baptism for Christians then is more than just a nice ceremony – it’s the only path to salvation. How do you respond to Jesus’ words here? Does ring true for you or is the lov…[Read more]

  • Colette replied to the topic in the forum Colette 9 years, 4 months ago

    The word baptism doesn’t just describe a church ceremony – it has been used in different ways to describe sudden life changing (or ending experiences)… Today we remember those who have dies in war including those who died in a “baptism of fire” during the battle of the Somme. http:…[Read more]