As humans we innately wonder about our world and beyond. We wonder about the tough and wonderful things of life. From the earliest age we wonder by asking "why?" Like why is grass green, the sky blue and why do bad things happen?

KCO's theme "A world of wonder" is an opportunity for kids to explore these questions and more. To ask about God stuff like does God hide, why did Jesus die for us, was God angry? And to ask about the confusing Church stuff too, like why do we eat Jesus in communion, why do we sing songs and why does the minister sometimes yell enthusiastically when preaching?

Our theme is not "our wonderful world" because there is so much in our world that is not wonderful and that really challenges us. The KCO offering is one way that kids can turn their wondering into action as they choose where it will go. Last year's offering money was donated to Uniting World's program to "Close the door on sex trafficking and child labour in North-East India".

KCO (KUCA Camp Out) is a 24 hour camp that assists 7-12 year old children to explore faith through their own discovery and encourages sharing and relationships with their peers. At KCO kids enjoy a wide range of performances, activities, games, crafts and music based around a biblical theme and provided in an age-appropriate and incredibly fun manner.

We invite your kids and their friends to discover more about God's love and our world on 24-25 March, at the Barossa Valley Tourist Park. You bring your group - we run the program!

To join in the fun go online to kco.sa.uca.org.au or talk to your local congregation for more about KCO.

You are invited to come and experience a Godly Play session and also make some resources to take home and practise with.

When: 2nd March, 1.45 – 3.45pm

Where:
Western Link Uniting Church
93 Crittenden Road, Findon

Cost is $10 for the workshop and Parable kits cost $15 each.

Come along and see how Godly Play can bless the life of your church/school as well as enriching your own.
Book your place now to avoid disappointment.

For more information phone 8236 4281 or register and pay online here.

A workshop flier is available to download here (130kb pdf).

To find out more:

• 2012 National Godly Play Conference visit The Conference Page
• Godly Play visit the Australian Godly Play website: www.godlyplay.org.au

This conference is being hosted by the Children and Family Ministry Team from July 7 – 10 at Nunyara Conference Centre.

There will be:

• an open day and expo for those wanting to find out more about Godly Play and “dip their toes in.”
• 2 day gathering of accredited Godly Play storytellers for those “enjoying the deep end” and wanting to share and network together
• 3 day core training with international and Australian Godly Play trainers for those wanting to “jump in” and become accredited Godly Play storytellers

To find out more about:

• the 2012 National Godly Play Conference visit here
• Godly Play visit the Australian Godly Play website: www.godlyplay.org.au

As she was going home from Hawker one of the excited young adults said, "This was the best weekend of my life!"

The weekend in question was in late July when a group of 18 people from Adelaide, Burra and Port Augusta visited Hawker in the Flinders Ranges for the second About Face Stepping Stone event for 2012 organized by Congress in partnership with the Young Adults unit of the SA Uniting Church.

On the Friday evening after making camp we were joined for dinner by our Adnyamathanha hosts: Pauline Mckenzie from Hawker, Colleen Ryan from Port Augusta and her sister, our Covenanting Coordinator, Denise Champion. They welcomed us to country, "Nunga," and introduced us to a different world immediately by teaching us words from their language.

On the Saturday we were joined by six "yakadi's" (children and grandchildren) of our hosts, who also enjoyed participating in sharing their language and culture with us.

Saturday was a wonderful day with a visit to Sacred Canyon and a late barbeque lunch at Wilpena Pound, where we were joined by other campers. Prayer through the giving of thanks for the food brought us together. That night we enjoyed (except those who were vegetarian) kangaroo tail soup cooked by Auntie Denise, and singing around the campfire which was led by Adam Cousens (who came across from Victoria with Tess Keam – one of the organizers of the About Face program) with support from Jadon, one of Auntie Pauline's grandsons.

On Sunday morning a special reflection and worship time was held including readings from the Aussie Bible. Participants felt they had stepped out and just knocked on the door at the beginning of their "About Face" journey. One of the participants summed it up in the reflection time with the comment. "I was really struck by the way God reveals himself not only through his word, but also his amazing creation, and the culture he instils within people."

May there be many more steps taken on the journey!

Written by Ian Dempster