Christian Aid

each year I am pleased to support Christian Aid Week by organising the Dover Christian Aid sponsored walk.  I have made some changes to the walk this year - it is now a 7 mile walk with an option of reducing it by a mile.  As in the past it is possible to walk a very much shorter distance around the village of River.

This year Cross-Links will be out in force as Becky and Esther will be taking a group each from Cross-Links.  Some will be walking the shorter route with Becky and others the longer route with Esther.  The children and young people who will be walking in the name of Cross-Links are an example to their peers and are to be congratulated.  I hope to post some photos here tomorrow.

If any of you are wondering I will be walking, but as I am the organiser, I always walk last to ensure no one is left on the route.  Here are a couple of photos from bank holiday Monday when I pre-walked the route...

just a few pictures from toddlers and after school club

messy fun at toddlers (above) and at Friday club (below)

Friday club...

During term time we have an after school club on Fridays.  We have children from a number of schools in the town come along, partly through friends/word of mouth.  Some of them attended our toddler group when they were babes and toddlers - interestingly they don't always remember those days, but it is a privilege to be able to participate in their early years (through toddler group) and then to pick up again when they are at primary school through school assemblies/our clubs.

Here are a couple of photos from todays session:

 





Looking back over the years we have worked with so many children and their families (just since Christmas we are averaging almost 200 different children each month across all our activities).  As they grow into young adults it is great to be able to keep in contact, some through facebook.  They don't hesitate to turn to Cross-Links for help - just a few days ago I spent an hour or so catching up with an 18 year old who asked me to countersign her photo for a provisional driving licence.  She has blossomed and is doing well studying for her A levels in a number of subjects - hard to think I first met her as a cheeky 8 year old (her not me!).  I won't name her, but if she reads this she will know I am talking about her!!!  She is just one of many young adults who still keep in touch and fondly remember their times at Cross-Links.

Are we making a difference?  I certainly like to think so.

To all the people (young and old) that we know or have known be assured of our continued prayers for you and that we will be here for you.  Be Blessed <><

face painting at toddler group today

just a few photos from the session this morning...

Looking through my diary...

Last week brought lots of variety:
Sunday - Messy Church at St Nicks thinking about the resurrection appearances of Jesus.
Monday - governor visit to Green Park CP School, preparations for the District Schools Council meeting on Wednesday, then governor briefing session in the evening at Whitfield Smile Centre.
Tuesday - always a joy at Toddler group, lots of home-made pizza, toys and singing session; admin afternoon.
Wednesday - final preps for the District School Council meeting which took place after lunch (23 schools from across the district, a pleasure to see the young people grappling with the theme of democracy and local issues.  Took place in the Dover District Council Chamber).
Thursday - coffee morning (with our new coffee maker), then school assembly at Green Park with Key stage 1 - sang a bit, and took a look at the resurrection trying to encourage them to realise that although some things may seem impossible - it doesn't mean they are!  Krafty Kids after that and then left Becky to the youth club.
Friday - meeting at Castle Community College in Deal to plan the educational projects for Dover schools as part of the Kent Inspire Legacy project.  Back for an 'early birthday lunch' then the optician (to pluck more of my inwardly growing eye lashes!) and rounded off with Friday (after school) club and set up for Saturday Messy Church before heading home.
Saturday - Messy Church at Cross-Links thinking about Pentecost.
Kept me busy!
What will next week bring?

Messy Church on Saturday and Sunday!

Just a few pictures from the weekend.  We did Messy Church at Cross-Links on Saturday lunch time, then again at St Nicholas today (Sunday) at tea time...

Fun at the Toddler group

Every Tuesday morning brings great joy as we greet babies, toddlers, twins, mums, dads, granddads, grans/nans, aunties, uncles and family friends at our weekly Toddler group.

The group has been running since February 2001 and has always been popular - today there were over 40 children (plus the adults) and the number seems to be growing each week!

There is lots to do, and the crafts are popular - we alternate between a food based craft and arty one each week.  The session ends with singing (optional) and the children love marching round for ring-a-ring-a-roses and the grand old duke of York which usually round off the singing session which will include our favourites: hedgehog song, wind the bobbin, head shoulders knees and toes, sleeping bunnies and twinkle twinkle - it is a pleasure to lead the sessions and a wonder to see the children grow from babes to toddlers, taking their first steps and saying their first words.

Here are some pictures of the craft table from the past 2 weeks...

Food craft decorating biscuits

painting lovely pictures