During the first half of the Autumn term 2007 the Jays looked at environmental
issues. To kick this off, there was a visit to the cinema to see Evan
Almighty. They had a great time and it made them think and actually
increased their awareness of the environment and how precious it is.
This is the story of Evan:
Evan is an American congressman who is made aware that a building contractor
is acting in a less than professional way with the materials he uses
and the finished articles are less than safe. Strange things start to
happen to Evan.
He is followed by all kinds of animals, he grows a beard that won’t
go away, no matter how many times he shaves, the number 614 starts
appearing everywhere he goes. He soon learns that 6:14 is the verse
in Genesis in which God instructs Noah to build the ark. He is visited
by God who tasks him to make an Ark as there will be a flood on September
22 at midday. The flood appears as predicted due to the poorly built
dam bursting which was built by the unscrupulous builder. Evan still
doesn't know how he can save the world, so God explains that not one
person can do this but if we all did one Act of Random Kindness at
a time the world would be a better place.
The story of Noah is not a story of 'wrath and anger'. It is a 'love
story' about people believing in each other, having faith in each
other, and standing together side by side. God does not give us what
we pray for as a gift. He gives us opportunities. We need to be able
to recognise these situations in life, as opportunities, for us to
find or realise what we are praying for. (For example if we pray to
be closer as a family, God does not give us those lovely 'feelings
inside for each other' as a gift. He gives us opportunities to become
closer as a family. These may seem like challenges when they happen.
But the outcome would be what we prayed for.)
To explore this the children made a collage of an Ark, with recycled
materials, of endangered species going into it. There were wolves,
mountain gorillas, bears, spiders, puffa fish, dolphins, seals, elephants,
birds and many more great creations. The collage was then displayed
in church for Harvest when the theme was 'A Green Church'.