The Roots for Churches podcast

S3E1: Can music heal our social divisions? with Stephen Fischbacher

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of music on children and young people's mental health. Melanie interviews Stephen Fischbacher, founder of Fischy Music, to understand how music can positively impact our emotions, bypass our anxious thoughts and build connections. Discover how simple songs taught in schools can promote peace, unity, and emotional well-being among children of all backgrounds. Whether you're a children's or youth worker, church leader, or educator, this conversation offers insights into integrating music to inspire change and nurture emotional and spiritual health. How could you harness the power of music in your church, children's or youth ministry? Join us in understanding the transformative power of music and how it can serve as a unifying force in divisive times.
Read the accompanying article at: https://www.rootsforchurches.com/fischy
https://www.youtube.com/@fischymusic/featured
https://www.fischy.com/

S2E1: This is for all of us: The power of intergenerational ministry, with Darren Philip

In Season 2, we delve into intergenerational ministry. We kick off this series with Darren Philip , a passionate advocate for intergenerational ministry in the Church of Scotland. He shares his journey and insights into creating a church community that embraces all ages. 
From redefining family within the church to innovative worship planning with all-age groups, this episode offers valuable wisdom and strategies. Whether you're an invested church leader or simply exploring the idea of intergenerational church, discover how intergenerational ministry can transform your church community. It's not just for children, it's for all of us. 
Discover how Roots' resources, including the Worship Together magazine, can help you lead a vibrant intergenerational service with creative ideas, prayers, dramas, and discussions.
www.rootsforchurches.com
www.intergenerateuk.org
Read Darren's book, Being an Intergenerational Church: Practices to Bring the Generations Back Together by Suzi Farrant and Darren Philip (Saint Andrew Press, 2023).
 

Episode 21: Starting sports outreach in your area, with Joe Lowther

In this episode, Melanie Cave sits down with Joe Lowther, CEO of KICK, to explore innovative strategies for reaching young people who are not attending church. With only 5% of children and young people in the UK attending church, Joe shares KICK's mission to transform lives through values-driven physical education, street dance, mentoring, and chaplaincy. Discover how local churches can partner with KICK to connect with the 95% of youth outside the church, leveraging sports and dance as a medium for spiritual and community growth.
Whether you're a church leader or a volunteer, sporty or not-so-much, learn how to effectively engage with young people and provide a space for discovering the love of Jesus in unexpected places.
www.kick.org.uk
Roots provides seasonal outreach resources, such as holiday clubs, and Nativity and Easter trails. Explore the whole range via www.rootsforchurches.com

Episode 20: Finding Your Voice: Preaching and leading authentically as a woman, with Amy Orr-Ewing

In this episode of the Roots for Churches podcast, we delve into the unique challenges faced by women leaders in the Church with Dr Amy Orr-Ewing, an internationally renowned author, speaker, and theologian. Amy shares her insights on finding your voice and leading authentically as a woman, drawing from her extensive experience and her latest book, 'Lead Like the Real You.'
Throughout the conversation, Amy discusses practical tips for women in leadership; the cultural and physiological challenges they face; and the importance of embracing one's identity. She also highlights the significance of understanding different seasons in life and how to navigate them while maintaining confidence and authority.
Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on overcoming societal expectations, building resilience in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of women finding and using their voices in leadership roles.

Season 2 Trailer: Introducing Intergenerate UK, with Suzi Farrant

Melanie Cave and Suzi Farrant share about the launch of Intergenerate UK, a new network dedicated to fostering intergenerational ministry across the UK. Discover how this movement is uniting faith communities through networking, resourcing, training, and advocacy to support the development of intergenerational churches.
Join us as we explore the unique UK flavour of this global initiative, with insights into the challenges faced by UK churches and the opportunities for face-to-face networking and webinars on intergenerational worship, preaching, and leadership. Find out how you can participate by visiting the Intergenerate UK website.
www.intergenerateuk.org
Don't miss the chance to connect with us at various UK conferences, including the Hand in Hand conference and the National Youth Ministry Weekend in Birmingham.
Subscribe to the Roots for Churches podcast to stay updated on season two, featuring inspiring speakers and intergenerational champions like Suzi and many others.

Episode 19: Blue Christmas: making church a safe place for grief, with Odele Harding

Christmas is often a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, for those who are grieving, it can be a challenging season filled with difficult emotions. Attending traditional Christmas church services can feel jarring and difficult. In this episode, we sit down with Odele Harding from Central Church Edinburgh to explore the concept of a Blue Christmas service—a reflective gathering designed to support those who are grieving.
Odele shares insights into The Bereavement Journey, an eight-session course created by the charity 'At a loss', helping churches to provide  bereavement support within the community. Discover how Central Church has embraced a compassionate approach to ministry, creating a safe and welcoming space for those navigating grief during the holiday season.
Join us as we delve into the importance of sensitive engagement with bereavement, the intentional use of language, and the power of offering a supportive community for people at various stages of their grief journey. Whether you're part of a church looking to implement similar initiatives or someone seeking solace during a tough time, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice.
 
www.ataloss.org
www.lossandhope.org
www.rootsforchurches.com/bereavement
www.rootsforchurches.com/advent-christmas2024
 

Episode 18: Jesus vs the Bad Guys: Engaging children with Bible stories, with Dr Jared Neusch

In a world brimming with imaginative, action-packed stories for kids, what expectations do children have when they hear Bible stories?  Melanie welcomes Dr Jared Neusch, a lecturer at St Mellitus College in London, to discuss his new children's book, Jesus vs the Bad Guys, and explore how we can effectively engage young minds with the Bible's complex and sometimes challenging narratives.
Jared shares insights from his theological journey and his passion for making biblical stories accessible and exciting for children. He emphasises the importance of presenting Jesus as the central figure, highlighting his message of enemy-loving forgiveness. The conversation touches on the challenges of introducing children to the Bible's stories and the assumptions they bring to narratives, encouraging an approach that respects their innate sense of good and evil while guiding them toward understanding God's true character.
Jared offers practical advice on storytelling and hermeneutics, advocating for a Christ-centred interpretive framework. He discusses the importance of not oversimplifying Bible stories into neat moral lessons and instead allowing children to explore the narratives' depth and complexity. The episode concludes with reflections on how Jesus' teachings challenge societal norms and provide a model for overcoming evil with love and forgiveness.
An enlightening conversation that promises to inspire parents, educators, and church leaders to rethink how they share the Bible with the next generation.
Jared's book Jesus vs the Bad guys is published by Tyndale Kids and is available online.
www.rootsforchurches.com

Episode 17: Passing on faith as a grandparent, with Becky Sedgwick

Are you a grandparent by blood, adoption, or to young people you've drawn into your circle of care and affection? Or do you have a number of grandparents in your church? Passing on faith as a grandparent may feel a little tricky. Some might say, "My grandchildren live far away, I don't see them all that often. How can I make an impact?" Others might wonder, "My children don't attend church anymore, so what can I do to ensure my grandchildren learn about faith?" Or, "My grandchildren only come to church with me occasionally. How can I make the most of that time?"
Today, we're exploring grandparenting for faith with Becky Sedgwick, unpacking how you can support your grandchildren or the grandparents in your congregation to confidently and prayerfully pass on faith to the younger generation. Join us on the Roots for Churches podcast as Becky shares her wisdom and insights, delving into her journey with the organization Parenting for Faith and the creation of her book, "Grandparenting for Faith."
Becky discusses the powerful influence grandparents have, the importance of building strong connections, and practical steps to disciple grandchildren. Whether your grandchildren live nearby or far away, Becky offers encouragement and actionable advice to help you nurture their faith. Plus, discover how churches can better support grandparents in their vital role.
Tune in to learn more about creating meaningful faith experiences for your grandchildren and fostering a legacy of love and spirituality. 
Buy Becky's book, Grandparenting for Faith
Becky Sedgwick: Three truths Christian grandparents need to know
Parenting for Faith Podcast

Episode 16: What's new? A new lectionary year, 'Worship Together' magazine and a Nativity Trail

What's new at Roots? We're celebrating some new beginnings as we approach a new lectionary year. Melanie explores the purpose and themes of the revised common lectionary - a curated collection of Bible readings designed to guide worship services throughout the year.
We discuss the shift towards intergenerational worship, with insights from Tracey Messenger, the editor of the newly renamed Worship Together magazine and preview an advance copy to see what's changed.
We introduce exciting new resources from Roots, including the Nativity Trail — a creative way for churches to engage their communities with the Christmas story. And hear from Pete Benest who ran the Roots Easter trail with his church in Shepshed this year. Join us as we explore these fresh initiatives designed to support and inspire churches in their mission to lead, preach, and nurture faith.
To order the nativity trail visit: www.rootsforchurches.com/advent-christmas2024
To subscribe visit www.rootsforchurches.com

Episode 15: Celebrating Black History Month in the Church, with Richard Reddie

Melanie explores the significance of Black History Month in the church setting with Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Richard shares the vital contributions of black people to British history and the UK church.
While in previous years, Black History month focussed on Martin Luther King Jr and the transatlantic slave trade, we reflect on the influence of the Windrush generation on the UK church. Richard also addresses common concerns about the authenticity of celebrating Black History Month in less diverse congregations and the importance of breaking the silence on racism.
Join us as we learn how any church can honour Black History Month meaningfully, fostering inclusivity and celebrating the rich, often overlooked contributions of black Christians. Discover resources and practical steps to engage your congregation in this essential journey of justice and inclusion.
Show Links:
Book: African Kings by Ricky Strachan
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) produce resources for BHM to provide a fulsome understanding of this annual celebration. www.ctbi.org
The Baptist Union's Visions of Colour resource contains material that can be used throughout the year, including Black History Month.
Keep the Faith magazine produces an annual Black History Month special which is available in October.
 
Richard's Recommended Books
General
Adedibu, Babatunde. Coat of Many Colours. Wisdom Summit. 2012.
Aldred, Joe. Flourishing in Babylon: Black British Agency and Self-Determination. SCM. 2024.
Dixon McKenzie, Dulcie A., Pauline E. Muir, and Monique M. Ingalls. Black British Gospel Music: From the Windrush Generation to Black Lives Matter. 1st ed. Routledge. 2024.
Reddie, Richard. Race for Justice: The struggle for equality and inclusion in British and Irish churches. Monarch Books. 2022.
Sturge, Mark. Look What the Lord Has Done!: An Exploration of Black Christian Faith in Britain. Scripture Union Publishing. 2005.
Smith, S.A. British black gospel: The foundations of this vibrant UK sound. Monarch Books. 2009.
 
Adult
Adi, Hakim. Black Voices on Britain: Selected Writings. Macmillan Collector's Library. 2022.
Bourne, Stephen. Black Poppies: Britain's Black Community and the Great War. The History Press. 2nd Ed. 2019.
Bourne, Stephen. Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime 1939–45. The History Press. 2020.
Dabydeen, David, Gilmore, John and Jones, Cecilia. The Oxford Companion to Black British History. Oxford University Press. 2007.
Fryer, Peter. Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain Paperback. Pluto Press. 2018.
Gilroy, Paul and Hall, Stuart. Black Britain: A Photographic History Paperback. Saqi Books. 2011.
Kaufmann, Miranda Black Tudors: The Untold Story. One World Press. 2018.
Olusoga, David. Black and British: A Forgotten History. Picador. 2021.
Olusoga, David. The Black History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained. DK Publishers. 2021.
Vernon, Patrick and Osborne, Angelina. 100 Great Black Britons. Robinson. 2021.
McMillan, Michael. The Front Room: Diaspora Migrant Aesthetics in the Home. Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd: Revised edition. 2023.
Renfrew, Barry. Britain's Black Regiments: Fighting for Empire and Equality. The History Press. 2020.
Walker, Robin, Marshall, Vanika, Berry, Paula and Vaughn, Anthony. Black British History: Black Influences on British Culture (1948 to 2016): 32 Hours of Teaching and Learning Material for Parents, Guardians, and Teachers of Secondary School Students. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2017.
Warner, Tony. Black History Walks. Jacaranda Books. 2022.
 
Children and young people
Atinuke and Nebechi, Kingsley. Brilliant Black British History. Bloomsbury Children's Books. 2024.
Harper, Mireille. Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies. DK Children. 2020.
Harrison, Vashti. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. Puffin. 2019.
Mensah, Millie. The Black Curriculum Migration: Journeys Through Black British History. DK Children. 2022.
Narjee, Lania. The Black Curriculum Legacies: Black British Pioneers. DK Children. 2022.
Olusoga, David et al. Black and British: An Illustrated History. Macmillan Children's Books. 2021.
Olusoga, David. Black and British: A short, essential history. Macmillan Children's Books. 2020.
Walker, Robin. Black History Matters. Franklin Watts. 2021.
Williams, J.T. Williams and Vives, Angela. Bright Stars of Black British History. Thames and Hudson. 2023.