The Methodist Church has launched a new website,split into two sections, for children and for church leaders and members who work with children.

The website for children’s workers is designed to be a resource pack to aid workers in connecting with the children they work with.

The site also features the Children’s Work Audit to monitor the work and progress of children’s work going on across The Methodist Church in the UK.

Participants in the Audit will receive monthly e-news updates bringing all the latest news and information on the Methodist Church children’s ministry around the globe right to their desks.

The resources available to church workers include downloadable resources such as the New Eyes project which aims to bring about closer dialogue between workers and children. The website also includes a helpful list of links to other websites that provide Methodist Church-approved teaching resources to structure children’s worship in the church.

The children’s section of the website is cute and fun with the usual gimmicks to keep kids entertained for a few hours, including a quiz, animated storybook and gallery where children can submit their own drawings and pictures.

Most importantly, the children’s section includes a useful section containing advice on staying safe online, particularly whilst in online chatrooms.

Children's ministry will also be the focus of this weekend's Methodist conference, with U.S. Jerome Berryman speaking on the theology of childhood.

The conference, from 9-11 September at Nottingham University, will also hold workshops on working with children run by Save the Children, the Liverpool Diocese, and the Churches Network for Non-violence.

The Methodist children's website can be accessed under www.methodistchildren.org.uk