Open The Book

'Open the Book' - Bible Stories

OPEN THE BOOK- Primary Years Assembly Project
We are delighted that Open the Book has continued in  our five local primary schools (including Stratton) and this remains a much loved weekly visit by our local teams of Christians, welcomed by both children and staff. Watermoor and Chesterton schools  are just completing their eighth year, mainly with the same members who started back in 2001. At some point there are going to be a considerable number from our teams retiring simultaneously!

If you ever hear someone say “Of course, our young children in school don’t hear the Bible stories any more!” then please disillusion them. There are some 75,000 children across the country who hear or watch a dramatised Bible story every week, and over three years hear all the important stories from Genesis through to the Acts of the Apostles.

This year has also seen major developments in a national scheme for Open the Book, with some 370 teams  registering from 11 counties, and 80 new storytelling teams started in September.  We are now registered as a Charity, with an excellent website (openthebook.net). Instead of being a cosy little local organisation, we now have a national one, with a paid Admin Assistant and a National Organiser, responsible for training schemes across the country.  Merging with the original Bedford  organisation has meant a complete revision of the material used. Our duplicated manuals are now properly printed with added notes.

This obviously carries financial implications, and three grant giving charities have made significant grants to help address the spiritual vacuum in which so many children grow. We hope that our three churches and individual members will continue to contribute to this vital outreach work until it is self-financing, with grateful thanks to those who have supported us from the beginning.    We need to grab the unique chance of entering all our  primary schools while we can – Christian teaching may not always remain welcome!
                                                                                            
David G P Williams

Are you interested in being an 'Open the Book' Bible story-teller in one of our Cirencester schools. If so then please contact David Williams via the Parish Office.

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