FAMILY FOR LIFE CONFERENCE REVIEW JUNE 2007

Family For Life Conference took place on 15 - 17 June 2007 and was an opportunity for individuals, parents, carers, children and their families to ask questions and have discussions about issues which are affecting many of us in our everyday lives.

 
Financial Intelligence

Have you ever wondered about the effects that being in debt can have on your life and the people around you?

Friday night hosted the Financial Intelligence, which included practical advice about getting out of debt.

This evening gave an insight to the different problems that debt can have on your life such as stress, health issues, negative effects on relationships just to mention a few.

Some practical advice to dealing with debt included:

1. Don’t Ignore Debt Get Advice
2. Ascertain what your position really is, how much are you really in debt
3. List all your debts and think about what you can realistically pay off
4. Develop a Debt Management Plan. Find out from your creditors if they can freeze the interest rate or lower payments

Remember it can be really easy to get into debt and harder to get out of it. Just think everywhere you look someone is offering to lend you money. So stay out of debt and next time you may be tempted to borrow money just think 0% finance at a high % debt.

Saturday’s conference included the Marriage and Parenting Seminars and Children & Youth Panel Discussion.

Marriage Seminar

During this seminar we talked about the things we should think about when choosing a possible husband/wife and planning children. These are decisions that will affect the rest of your life but how many of us really thought about who we were going to marry, plan a future with or have children with?

To have a fulfilled relationship whether you are married or a husband/wife to be remember to treat each other with respect and as people of worth and value.

Here are some of the qualities to look for in your future partner as discussed at the conference:

1. A Love for God
2. A good relationship with people
3. Hardworking
4. Emotionally stable
5. Integrity

Marriage is a life long journey so remember to tell your spouse you love them and “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26   

Parenting Seminar

This seminar gave us an insight into dealing with the everyday issues that parent/ carers face raising children and young people in the 21st century. Mike and Claudette Edwardes hosted this session and gave the following tips:

• Children should be nurtured
• Parents should aim to be good role models for their children and teach them throughout their childhood
• Parents should be genuine, and never have children who they say are their favourites as this can harbour hurt

Parenting involves sharing with your children, encouraging them at all times to develop their self esteem and nurture their abilities. Giving is also fundamental. As parents you give a lot of time to your kids but just remember you only get out what you put into life so invest some time in your children today and reap the benefits tomorrow.

Children & Youth Panel Discussion

This session consisted of young people giving parents an insight into their views and feelings about different issues. They examined the topic of boundaries whereby they agreed that it was reasonable for parents to have boundaries as these were for their protection.

Bullying was another issue that was raised. It was an eye opener to find our how much bullying is going on within schools today and how young people are dealing with these issues.

The young people voiced their concern about some schools not doing enough to deal with bullying and the effect it can have on the child being bullied. There was a discussion about how some of them have dealt with bullying and these were some of their points:

• Some of the young people prayed for the bullying to stop
• Children would tell an adult if they were being bullied
• Children would talk to their parents

Parents, remember bullying is going undetected in schools. So how are you going to ensure your child is not being subjected to bullying?

• Always listen to your children when they are telling you about issues in schools
• Sometimes children don’t tell you straight away they are being bullied or having trouble at school but they may be trying to give warning signs but you are failing to listen to them
• If you find out your child is being bullied ensure the school is made aware of this so they can deal with it

 Sunday was the grand finale of the conference which began with Sunday Service as usual after which everyone enjoyed helpings from a variety of dishes prepared by members of the Arc.

Dinner was followed by a family fun day which took part at Wanstead Flats. The day was open for all to enjoy and consisted of face painting for the children, a bouncy castle, volleyball, rounders, music and light refreshments.

We had three inspiring and exciting days which finished with celebrating each other and embracing members from the community who were able to join us at the park.

We hope all those who attended enjoyed themselves and hope you will join us in our future events.

Thanks from the FFL Committee.

VIEWS FROM PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE.

Marriage Seminar- “I thought it was very, very good. Questions that I would ask but kept them to myself were answered. Great and well done Peter & Carris.
More, more, more time was needed”.  

“Very, very encouraging, it was a pity that more married couples didn’t attend. I received lots of confirmation regarding things in my own personal life. I was challenged on certain areas in my life and these highlighted the things that God needs to work in my life. But overall a very excellent conference and the teachers were lead by god’s spirit.

Parenting- “Like to say congratulations to Claudette & Mike who presented excellently. Very informative and not just theory but practical tips. My frustrations were not just my own. Wow. I now have a new way of dealing with a 5, 7 and 17 year old children. A task but not impossible with God.

A BIG thank you from the Family for Life Committee to all those who attended the conference, those who cooked and especially all who came along and helped to celebrate the conference.

For all of you who missed out on this wonderful experience don’t worry you can catch what you missed by purchasing a copy of the DVD soon be on sale.