Welcome to Gingerbread and Generosity 2025 – Houses of Hope!

We are so thrilled to launch this initiative in partnership with Bishops Appeal and (South American Mission Society (SAMS).

It is our hope that, by using the packs below, you will be able to host a Houses of Hope event where families and individuals are invited to learn about the two projects in South America whilst having fun together decorating gingerbread houses.

Here are just a few ways you might use this pack:

• Host a gingerbread decorating event – perfect for Messy Church or a post-service gathering with snacks and festive cheer. You can make it a donation-based event or charge a small fee to support Bishops’ Appeal.
• Use one of the included services—either our Advent-themed service or the “Jesus is the Light of the World” Christingle option. During the service, you can take up a collection and hand out family packs for at-home fun.

No matter how you choose to use this pack, we hope families will upload a photo of their gingerbread creations and enter our Houses of Hope competition, with a chance to win one of two £50/€50 One4All vouchers!

To download the pack you wish to use simply click on the relevant image below:

Watch the video below to learn more about how your support impacts children and families in South America.

You can also copy the link to show this video at your Church event. 

 

Click the first image above to download the Escape Room pack with instructions

Halloween can be a tricky time to navigate in the Church, but we believe that it is a prime opportunity to speak light and life into the lives of our Children and Families. Holding a Light Party gives your church family the opportunity to stand out from the rest of the community and provide an alternative to the horror and fear that will dominate most of the other parties and events at the end of October.

To help you, we have created a Light Party Escape Room – a set of challenges for your children/families to complete before ending with party food and fun as the prize. The challenges are pitched for children aged 7-12, but you could have family groups competing – as long as you explain to adults that they are only allowed to give support and guidance when children are stuck, they are not to give the answers away!

The message of this escape room is that we are called to shine the light of God’s love in this dark world.

The aim is to get participants to read Bible verses that focus on Jesus being the Light of the World, trusting in God and victory over darkness.

Practically the aim is to light up a darkened room gradually. This happens each time a team completes a challenge – once each challenge is solved they should be instructed to turn on a light source of some description for example a battery-powered candle. What you choose to bring the light will depend on your location and budget.

We would love to see any images of the escape room in action, so if you do use this resource please do send photos to cfm@ireland.anglican.org

Click the image above to try the trail yourself, or click the poster to download the explainer pdf and QR code to give to the families you work with

It is an inescapable fact that we live on a very wet island! But sure, it is part of our charm, and without it we could never have held on to the beautiful title of “The Emerald Isle”

However, as beautiful as the green fields are, when you are stuck inside with even just one young child it can seem as though the rain is some kind of sploshy prison guard keeping you from the outside world!

So, to help restore the balance, and reclaim the fun when there is no sun, we have created an interactive virtual rain trail which you can share with your families. It is aimed at adults with children aged 2-8. It could also be used on the whiteboard in school if the teacher looks at the challenges ahead of time to prepare enough resources for the whole class.

After the opening page viewers can choose to explore one of three rainy options: Puddles, Rain or Rainbows.

Each section begins with a fun fact, then viewers can choose either an indoor challenge or an outdoor challenge.

These challenges are simple activities grown ups and children can do together. They use items commonly found around the house and help children to explore and use different skills.

Once they have read the challenge there is a brief Bible verse and thought which connects with the chosen element.

Viewers are then taken back to the choice page where they can choose a new option to read.

Click image above to download the trail.

This trail was created for Father’s Day but can also be used for general Superhero Camps too.

If it is being used on Father’s Day, encourage dads to take on the challenge with their trusty sidekick—every superhero has one! You can open it up to everyone in the church or local community to participate, so no one feels left out; the trail does not specifically mention being a father.

If you are running the trail at a BBQ or as part of a church event, consider giving a small prize such as a little bag of Cadbury Heroes to those who complete the challenge and provide you with the correct secret message.

Click the image above to download the pack

This is a new resource you can give to your families or school, offering a fun alternative to the pesky Elf!  

Hide and Speak is an advent challenge that tells the whole Christmas story day by day. Every day from December 1st adults hide the relevant card along with a treat of choice – chocolate, fruit or whatever the child loves. The child seeks out the card, reads the verse and enjoys the treat. You could even involve the Elf in the hiding if you wanted!

The cards can then by stuck or hung up on a wall or the fridge so that by December 24th the whole story can be read together.

Welcome to the Church of Ireland Children & Families Ministry interactive video trail.

Our trail invites families to experience the Christmas story from a fresh perspective. Each stop features a QR code that links to a video that can be played on mobile devices. These videos showcase characters such as Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth, acted out in short monologues that help us imagine what the first Christmas was like.

The videos delve into the emotions and questions each character may have faced—the joys, the doubts, and even the fears. This approach brings the entire narrative to life and encourages families and friends to engage in meaningful conversations together.

The trail includes posters that can be printed in either A2 landscape, or A4 pages if you prefer. We recommend laminating them or having them professionally printed on Corriboard to display around the churchyard. We encourage the entire congregation to wander through the churchyard and interact with each stop, or consider opening the gates to the local community and offering warm drinks along with opportunities for conversation at the end of the trail.

Participants can easily access the videos by scanning the QR codes on each poster. For those who prefer not to use devices, each stop also features practical activities suitable for all ages, ensuring that the experience is not purely digital.

Download the A2 size landscape trail by clicking the Donkey image below.

Download the A4 size trail by clicking the Sheep image below.

Or Scan the QR code to watch an example of one of the videos.

If you are looking for an exciting trail to use over Christmas around the grounds of your church or at a local park then this has everything you need. This trail is suitable for families to spend time together, or for Children’s clubs. The trail is editable so you can input your contact details and personalise as needed.

Woodland Trail Map

Woodland Trail Reverse

Here you have access to a lovely sheep trail for inside a Church Building as well as the pattern for knitting some sheep!

This was created for Rathfarnham Church but you can use the idea and adapt it to your Church either for Christmas or Easter or any time you feel it would fit.

The Church had knitted / stuffed toy sheep placed around the building for families to find and then learn more about what happens in that part of the church. A fun way to help families to understand more about the church and what is going on.

If you would like help creating a version for your church please email cfm@ireland.anglican.org

Sheep Trail Booklet

Small Sheep Pattern

They explore the wonder of God’s Creation and are suitable for all ages.

You can access the complete resource here:

Great Big Muddy World Pack (Complete Resource)

QR Codes connecting the trails to the wondering and activity sheets can be found here:

Great Big Muddy World QR Codes

Click Image to download the trail

Down and Dromore Children’s Ministry Officer Julie Currie teamed up with Muddy Church Founder Lucie Hutson to produce these wonderful St. Patrick’s Day Muddy Church Trails.

Use these in your churchyard, around the railings, or inside your church to welcome people in.

For durability either print onto corrugated board or laminate the paper before use.