| What is Praypal? |
Praypal is an easy way of connecting chaplains with supporters (churches etc). Once you create an account for your self/church, you can choose to receive updates from your local chaplain(s). This will come in the form of an email whenever the chaplain(s) write news/prayer points. Likewise, you can post news about your church events and they will receive an email regarding that too! Please see the 'How To' sections for help in creating an account and receiving updates from chaplains.
Here is everything you'll ever need to know about praypal: Why is it important to pray for our schools?The Holy Spirit is active in every school. What should we pray for?Jesus taught us to pray for God's Kingdom to come. Let's actively pray for Gods Kingdom to be growing into its fullness in the school community. Who should we pray for?Principal - pray for wisdom and courage in their role leading the school community. What is this 'Adopt A School' part?Each church can "adopt" their local school/schools and commit to pray for them. You adopt your school(s) by registering on this website (click here). When you register, you will receive access to resources, regular prayer points, contact details for the school chaplain (if applicable) and be a part of a statewide network praying for schools. Can we adopt more than one school?Absolutely! Its also fine if more than one church adopts a particular school. So We've adopted our local school... now what?Start praying! You may want to form a group that meets regularly, or include a time of prayer in your service each week/month. You can also look though this website for more resources you can use in praying for your school and possibly being directly involved in the school community. Does this mean we have to be involved in school activities?Not at all. The great thing about Praypal is that you can be involved without setting foot near a school! Some people may have time to give helping out in a school while others may not and that's fine. If you find you would like to be involved, there are plenty of ideas on this website as to how this might happen. What are some ways we can become more involved?There is always opportunity for Christians to be involved in schools life: WRITE A LETTER"During a busy period just prior to the end of the school year I sent our principal a card affirming that our local Christian community were upholding him in their prayers." PROVIDE MORNING TEA"As part of our focus on schools [for Schools Sunday] we decided to explore taking in morning tea to our local high school. This sounded quite scary but actually turned out quite OK and well within our limited resources and capabilities. The principal was very supportive and positive which assisted greatly. Food is always a good approach to people and the staff were very appreciative. Each staff member was also given a card assuring them of their worth in the community and of our prayer support. We support the work of the chaplain and another Christian worker in that school and so our name as a caring church has been further reinforced to the school community" THANK THE STAFF"National Day of Thanksgiving (Saturday before Pentecost each year) has provided a focus in our region to make organised connection with our school under the banner of our local churches. We hosted a special thankyou morning tea for the staff, inviting local Christian parents to join Christian schools workers and ministers in the staff room. One year a small team of us wrote about 45 personal thankyou cards to all the staff assuring them of our prayers. A certificate of appreciation was presented during a school assembly thanking staff for all they do for the children in our region. This has affirmed the developing warmth between the local Christian community and school." HELP OUT AT BREAKFAST CLUB"Several local Christians help out at our local Breakfast Club run by our Neighbourhood Centre House and it helps links with our principal and children in an informal way. We have had some good conversations with our school principal, children and other volunteers who help out.†HOLD A FUND RAISING EVENT FEATURING YOUR SCHOOL CHOIR"I work in my local school. I knew our school had a choir and were looking for places to give them experience. My church needed to raise funds. Suddenly the two ideas seem to come together to feature our school choir to hold a fund raising concert for our local church. Many parents attended and were introduced to people from our church." RUN A CHRISTMAS CLUB"Each year we hold a short, four session Christmas Program after school in the football club rooms adjacent to our school. Christmas provides an ideal time to make a Christian connection with children. The leaders come from a number of different churches in our area" TEACH CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION"When we approached our school they accepted two classes of Christian Religious Education for the younger grades. It proved popular with the children and with the help of other local Christians we ran these weekly classes for three years. Training and guidance is now provided through Scripture Union which has been really been helpful and they can point you in the right direction for materials which are readily available.†RUN A SUPA CLUB"I had been helping teach CRE in our local primary school when the school asked us to stop so they could spend more time on Essential Learnings. Although one door closed we found the school was open to receive a lunch time Christian program and so we started SUPA Club (Scripture Union Primary Aged) for the younger grades. That was four years ago and we've been going ever since. It wouldn't have been possible without an excellent team from various local Christian churches nor the great help, training and resources provided by SU. I don't know who has more fun, the team or the children!" |
