I5
The Diocesan Resource Centre is based at the Diocesan Office at 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans. It houses a wide collection of resources for the support and development of parish education and for the classroom teaching of religious education. There is also a wide variety of resources for collective worship. Parish resources include parish stationery (eg baptism cards and annual meeting packs), and available to hire are games and activities such as large Jenga, parachutes and a badge-making machine. General Christian books are available in both the bookshop and the library. The Centre is open daily, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, with late-night opening by arrangement. Visitors are always welcome to inspect resources and seek free advice from the Resources Manager. For further details, please contact the Resources Manager at the Centre on 01727 818158, e-mail resources@stalbans.anglican.org.
Bedfordshire Diocesan Resource Centre
The Diocesan Resource Centre can also be found in Bedford at St Mark’s Church, Calder Rise, Bedford MK41 7UY. RE resources and some parish materials are based in the chapel.
Teachers from all schools have access to over 500 books, plus videos and ICT materials on a range of faiths. The Bedfordshire Agreed Syllabus unit boxes and diocesan boxes of artefacts are available for schools to borrow.
An area of resources for youth and children is being developed for parishes. In particular, Godly Play parable boxes and the Liturgical Clock will be available to borrow, together with books for Sunday School, All Age Worship and mid-week and holiday clubs. A reference section with also be developed, including the Godly Play textbooks.
A website has been set up for teachers and parishes to borrow resources: www.beds-re-resources.org.uk. All order forms on the website are sent to staff at the Resource Centre in St Albans, who co-ordinates the orders with the staff at St Mark’s.
The church office is open from 9 am -5 pm weekdays (often open at other times as well) and teachers are welcome to browse and order resources online.
May 2006
