Mary Hawes

Great resources for a Good Childhood

This is an exciting time of year for National Children's Adviser Mary Hawes, as several Church of England projects are capturing public and media attention.

One of them sees St Paul's in London hosting the Good Childhood series - evening debates open to everybody, focusing on various issues affecting childhood in the 21st Century, such as consumerism, education and ethics, augmented with meditative services and other events.

'We're actually making a difference - helping children have the best childhood that they possibly can,' Mary says, before explaining how the information and ideas gathered will be studied and disseminated throughout the Church of England.

There is also the resource Better Than Halloween by Nick Harding, published last year and being promoted again this year by Church House Publishing, recommending that churches and schools throw light parties and other alternative gatherings that celebrate life, rather than organising activities pointing to the darker side of life.

'I think this particular book,' Mary enthuses, 'and the fact that it hit the media and made the national news headlines really focused people's minds to think there is something that we can offer as an alternative, as a positive alternative.'

Then there's the Christingle Cube, a resource from Church House Publishing for children aged three and older, explaining beautifully the history of the Christingle service, held in churches anytime between Advent and Epiphany, when the congregation carry candles mounted on oranges to represent Christ, the Light of the World.

'It's a wonderful way,' Mary suggests, 'of bringing people into the Church who perhaps wouldn't normally think of coming into a church.'

When she's not coodinating the development of children's work and resources, Mary and her husband enjoy, passionately, watching Watford Football Club - and are convinced the football ground offers one or two tips for the Church.

'What I've discovered is there you have a microcosm of what the best all-age worship could possibly be,' Mary says, referring to how adults explain to children what's going on in the hope a love of football will develop.

'That speaks of what we should do in church,' she adds. 'As adults we should be sharing what we have, what we love about worshipping God, with youngsters.'

You can hear this interview now by clicking here