The Bible is leaping to life for children in Happisburgh and Hickling, thanks to a new Open the Book team launched by the Revd Coryn Stanforth, rector of the Coastal Group of Parishes.
She said the children loved joining in as specially trained volunteers presented stories from the Bible – with Noah and his ark a favourite so far.
The sessions, new this school year, take place during collective worship at the Church of England academies in Hickling and Happisburgh.
Coryn, a former teacher, first set up Open the Book with the local parish church while working in a community junior school in Gorleston. She took it with her to her curacy in the Tas Valley and said: “I was keen to develop the relationship between the church and the local schools in the Coastal Group and there has been a strong feeling that God’s hand is guiding this venture.
“I am privileged to have a wonderful ecumenical team who bring the Bible to life for the children. The team have worked incredibly hard making creative props and costumes and bring enthusiasm and joy as we act out Bible stories. It is a privilege to go into school with them.
“The feedback from both schools, children and staff, has been really positive.
“I am very excited about performing the Christmas story and seeing where God takes this work.”
And as well as the regular sessions at the two church schools in the benefice she would love to explore taking it to the local community primary school too.
Open the Book is a national project, sharing the Bible with children with plenty of space for fun, reflection, wonder, prayer and joining in. Volunteers present a 10-15-minute scripted story, designed for the widest possible audience and involving the children as much as possible.