All-age activity

Can you see your jars of water? (an activity for all ages)

Do a mapping activity can help to identify the strengths and the needs in your community.

This can then lead into prayer and action as you name the good things, consider where you can develop new connections, and work with your community to make a difference.

You will need:

• A large map* of your parish/area or large piece of paper if drawing your own map

• Different coloured pens

• Stickers or small post-it notes

Gather people round a large map of your parish/local area, or challenge people to draw their own.

As a group, mark with stickers, dots or drawings:

1. The building where your church meets and other places of worship.

2. Where your church members live.

3. Local institutions and places such as pubs, schools, parks, community centres, sports clubs or arts venues.

4. Local services such as GP surgeries, hospitals and shops.

5. Local employers and businesses.

6. Transport links – stations, bus stops, cycle paths etc.

Chat about what you notice:

• What are the best things about your area?

• Where are the places that people meet and connect with each other?

• What’s missing from your area?

• What are the reasons for people to come to your area?

• How could you develop connections with other institutions or organisations.

• How can you support initiatives that already exist?

Take some time together to thank God for all the good things about your local area, pray that your community would flourish and that ask God to show you where you can make a difference.

Want to take this work further?

You can use the Presence session from our free Growing Good toolkit, and help your church be an active and visible presence in your community.