Christmas School Assemblies

Kathryn Hindley, Birmingham City Mission’s Children’s Team Coordinator, brings an update about the Christmas assemblies being delivered to schools in Birmingham:

‘If the children of Birmingham were asked what Christmas is all about, many would respond by talking about decorations, food, presents and parties. And if the nativity does come to mind, they may well be thinking more about wayward sheep and itchy angel halos than about the baby Jesus. The Birmingham City Mission Children’s Team, this year as ever, is delivering Christmas assemblies and lessons that help children and their teachers to discover more of the joy and wonder of Christmas.  This year the theme is ‘Waiting for the King,’ telling the story of the angels and shepherds and how the baby Jesus was the king God’s people were all waiting for. We think about how this baby was the one promised, in David’s line, born in David’s city, born in a special way, to accomplish a special mission.

All the Christmas assembly bookings were for in-person visits at last! However, with the increase of Covid cases in some schools, bubbles were reinstated and doors closed to visitors, but we were still able to give in person 14 assemblies in eight schools, and delivered a virtual assembly to four more schools. One school tweeted, ‘Another brilliant assembly this morning from Birmingham City Mission. The children enjoyed listening to the story of Jesus’ long-awaited birth and especially the quiz at the end!’ Physically or virtually, however this wonderful Christmas story is heard, please pray that it will be a blessing to all.’

The BCM Children’s Team has regular contact with about 130 of Birmingham’s primary schools, delivering 170 Acts of Collective Worship to approximately 50,000 children every term. In addition, the team supports the teaching of the 2007 Birmingham Agreed Syllabus for RE and leads out-of-school activities. All information about Christian beliefs is presented in line with government guidance. The team is made up of one full-time, three part-time workers and one placement student, plus a number of regular volunteers. All staff and volunteers have enhanced DBS clearance. Find out more about the work of Birmingham City Mission’s Children’s Team HERE and about the work of Birmingham City Mission HERE.