GSUS Live comes to Ringwood school - attempts to indoctrinate my daugter

On 29th March my daughter attended a 45 minute lesson by Christian Evangelists GSUS Live (website) at Ringwood School, Hampshire.

Our permission for her attending this event was never requested by Ringwood School.

I will be investigating why parents were not told that their children were to attend.

COUNTIES are Christian Evangelists. A Trustee is David Vardy, Sir Peter Vardy's brother (Guardian), a man recently described by the Times Education Supplement as a "Christian fundamentalist car dealer".

The GSUS Live trailer is a purpose built mobile classroom which introduces Jesus' teachings on the themes of Fear, Forgiveness, and Rejection - Walk Through the trailer


Make a list of the things for which you might need forgiveness.

Who do you think you need to go to, to say "I'm sorry?" The person you hurt? God?

Is there anything you can do to put things right?

Forgiveness is a difficult subject - that's why Jesus had so much to say about it. He knew that forgiveness is not only impotant for the person who receives it but also to the person who gives it.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/ben/learn/index.html

You Will Be Forgiven

	"Forgive and you will be forgiven." - Jesus speaking in Luke 6:37
	The standard that we use for others is the one which will be be used for you. If we are unwiling to forgive other people, then we will be unable to accept forgiveness for the things we do wrong.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/ben/learn/youreforgiven.html

Keep On Forgiving

	Forgive... "not seven times, but seventy-seven times" - Jesus speaking in Luke 6:37
	Forgiveness should have no limits. No matter how often we say it, we should never come to an end of saying, "I forgive you."

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/ben/learn/keepforgiving.html

God's Forgiveness

	"As far as the east is from the west, so far has God taken our wrong from us." - Psalm 103:12
	When we begin to understand how God is willing to forgive us, we begin to see how we can forgive others. Forgiveness is one of the great gifts that God offers to those who go to Him.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/ben/learn/godsforgiveness.html

Trust In Christ

	Millions of Christians round the world have trusted Jesus Christ for guidance, love, friendship, forgiveness, and purpose.
	You can discover more about Him by reading the Bible. Might we suggest that you start by turning to Mark or Luke - two books in the Bible about Jesus. You'll find them towards the back of the Bible. Please e-mail us with any questions you have about GSUS Live or about the Christian faith. We really want to hear from you.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/ben/learn/trustjesus.html

Make a list of the type of people who may suffer from rejection or bullying.

Have you or are you being bullied or rejected? Where do you go for help? http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/jack/learn/index.html

Jesus Knows Rejection

If you are feeling rejected, you're not alone. God's Son, Jesus Christ also experienced incredible rejection.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/jack/learn/rejection.html

Jesus Knows Rejection: Time For The Outsider

	Jesus had time for those who were on the fringes of society. He went out of His way to meet a lonely 'foreign' woman who no-one else had time for. He touched a man with a dreaded skin disease. He knew how important it is to give time to those who feel rejected or bullied.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/jack/learn/timeforoutsider.html

Jesus Knows Rejection: Alone

	When being executed, Jesus was rejected by society and was abandoned by many of His friends. He was even 'God forsaken'! This means Jesus fully understands what it's like to be alone and can help us when we feel on the outside.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/jack/learn/alone.html

Trust In Christ

	Millions of Christians round the world have trusted Jesus Christ for guidance, love, friendship, forgiveness, and purpose.
	You can discover more about Him by reading the Bible. Might we suggest that you start by turning to Mark or Luke - two books in the Bible about Jesus. You'll find them towards the back of the Bible. Please e-mail us with any questions you have about GSUS Live or about the Christian faith. We really want to hear from you.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/jack/learn/trustjesus.html

FEAR

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/kylie/story/scene1.html

Make a list of the things that scare you.

Do they scare you because:

It's out of your control?
You've never experienced it before?
You HAVE experienced it before?
- or is there another reason?

Some people can handle their fear quite well. Most of us would handle our fears better if we had someone to help us.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/kylie/learn/index.html

Jesus Knew Fear: Fear of Being Alone

	When Jesus was arrested, all of Jesus' friends ran away leaving Him to face an uncertain future alone. Jesus knows what it's like to be afraid and alone, so He can understand our fears and help us if we want Him to.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/kylie/learn/fearofalone.html

Jesus Knew Fear: Fear of the Future

	When being executed, Jesus knew real fear but He was able to trust someone. Jesus said 'Father I give myself into your hands'! Jesus knows what it's like to be afraid, so He can help us when we're afraid.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/kylie/learn/fearoffuture.html

Trust In Christ

	Millions of Christians round the world have trusted Jesus Christ for guidance, love, friendship, forgiveness, and purpose.
	You can discover more about Him by reading the Bible. Might we suggest that you start by turning to Mark or Luke - two books in the Bible about Jesus. You'll find them towards the back of the Bible. Please e-mail us with any questions you have about GSUS Live or about the Christian faith. We really want to hear from you.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/students/kylie/learn/trustjesus.html


The GSUS Live project is run by .

Trailer Diary - 26th February – St Peters Lower School 2nd March – The Grange School 9th March – Highcliffe School 16th March – Ringwood School 23rd March - The Arnewood School

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/general/index.html

GSUS Live is a resource that is available to secondary schools. The aim of GSUS Live is to show that Jesus is relevant today.

There are two mobile classrooms with a fully functioning multimedia computer suite as the core of the hardware. They are designed to take classes of up to 32 Key Stage 3 pupils for a 45 to 60 minute lesson and will provide a stimulating environment in which they can investigate Jesus' teachings on Forgiveness, Fear, and Rejection.

Each session begins with a scene setting 3D video sequence - special glasses provided!

A presenter gives basic instructions about the use of the computer program, and then the students will be on their own! The program has been designed in such a way as to allow the freedom to explore without losing the desire to progress further.

After the independent learning session, where students have investigated their choice of topic (Forgiveness, Fear, or Rejection) they will be provided with a printed outline of their responses.

The presenter will then lead a final session, bringing together some of the things discovered and drawing the lesson to a close.

with 3D video, surround sound and 16 computers.
GSUS Live has introduced Jesus to nearly 200,000 teenagers. See the RESOURCE page.

GSUS Live Interior

COUNTIES commitment is to communicate the Christian faith in the UK,
through evangelists and resources and to assist churches in evangelism (Home Page)

The GSUS Live Mobile Classrooms

The mobile classrooms are housed in purpose built trailer units.

They visit one school each for a week and provide up to five lessons each day.

Inside both of the mobile classrooms there is:

• A large screen video display
• Surround sound and integrated lighting system
• Seating for 32 pupils
• 16 computers

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/general/index.html#whois

GSUS Live is built on the success of another Counties' mobile exhibition - 'The Bible Experience' - which was visited by thousands of pupils.

GSUS Live is available to schools free of charge. The project is funded by individuals, churches and Christian trusts. http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/general/index.html#whois


In the Guardian January 15, 2005:-
At the parents' consultation meeting, Tracy quoted a speech Burn had given in which he had said that teachers at Vardy schools should be "full-time Christian workers"; he told her that it was a personal view not necessarily reflected in the Foundation's plans for Conisbrough and Denaby. "At the first parents' meeting," Kay recalled, "somebody asked David Vardy why they were contributing only £2m while the government put in so much more. And he said, 'Well, I can always take my money elsewhere. I can go and buy myself a yacht.'"

Organised and funded by Counties http://www.countiesuk.org/contact.html

Counties Information Page (2nd April 2007) http://www.countiesuk.org/contact.html - pdf

COUNTIES' Mission Statement and 'Core Values'

"Bringing The Good News to the Nation"

The following underpin COUNTIES' Mission Statement, beliefs and convictions :-

1. Dependency on God. We acknowledge our dependency on God, by faith.
2. Commitment to the Bible. We are committed to the truth of the Bible, affirming evangelical Christianity. We seek to be obedient to its teaching, evaluating our work and attitudes in its light.
3. A Focus on Evangelism. We are committed to the great commission (Matthew 28v 18-20) and the task of evangelism.
4. Believing Prayer. We believe that prayer is the basis of our work and underlies everything that we do.
5. Church Linked. We recognise the importance of churches and seek to equip and support them in evangelism, providing appropriate resources.
6. Biblical Unity. We value the fact that we comprise Bible believing Christians from different churches seeking to work together in unity.
7. Achieving Excellence. We are committed to integrity, honesty, quality and professionalism, encouraging creativity and innovation in all that we do.

The work of COUNTIES is supported by 24 groups of Regional Representatives, usually covering an individual County.
These groups are made up of Christians who are committed to encourage and enable evangelism in their region, by the work of the individual Evangelist, as well as other strategies.
These groups have a key role in the support of the Evangelists and in some areas provide gifts, housing or vehicles.

COUNTIES' policy, vision and strategy is spearheaded by a group of Trustees, known as the Council, who meet four times a year. Brian Adams, Carshalton Beeches	Michael Allen, Redditch
Roger Brind, Cardiff	Richard Canham, Enfield
Ken Cardy, Buxted	Brian Chapman, Wokingham
Martin Fielder, Fareham	Jim Halifax, Southampton
Peter Jack, Blandford Forum	Val Naylor, Chelmsford
David Vardy, Durham

COUNTIES
30 Haynes Road
WESTBURY
BA13 3HD

Tel: 01373 823 013
E-mail: office@countiesuk.org

The 'GSUS Live' mobile classrooms show 3D video and interactive multi-media presentations that introduce Jesus to teenagers as they investigate the themes of forgiveness, fear and rejection.

GSUS Live is made available to Secondary Schools through local churches and other groups committed to providing Christian resources in education.



For further information view the GSUS Live web site www.gsuslive.co.uk or contact the GSUS Live schools co-ordinator email.

http://www.countiesuk.org/resources.html

COUNTIES new
LIFE exhibition

The LIFE Exhibition is a unique, mobile exhibition developed by COUNTIES, a UK based Christian Charity. The exhibition focuses on the life of Jesus, and aims to:

help visitors understand what Christians believe about Jesus

enable questioning and exploration of the life of Jesus

encourage visitors to consider his impact in today’s world

allow visitors to think for themselves about the teachings of Jesus

build on existing links between schools and local churches

The LIFE Exhibition is an educational experience with active learning opportunities. Using PDA technology, with text, graphics, DVD and sound, the exhibition is a ‘hands on’ interactive learning experience.

LIFE tells of the life of Jesus, his Jewish roots, his teaching and miracles, and his death, burial and resurrection.

The final area of the exhibition is the LIFE Café, where visitors can have refreshments and discuss what they have seen and experienced.

For Further infromation see www.Lifeexpo.co.uk
or contact project Co-ordinator Martin Buckley.

http://www.countiesuk.org/life.html

LIFE exhibition
helping churches to reach their community,
launched on 18th March in London.

Click on a category to see more:
LIFE Introduction

LIFE Zone

LIFE Game

LIFE Cafe

http://www.countiesuk.org/index.html

Head Teachers Pack

Outline of Lesson

The presentation is in three parts and lasts about 45 minutes. As the students enter the Mobile Trailer, the sound and light system create an atmosphere of anticipation.

1. Introduction:

   • An introductory 3D video introduces the themes of Forgiveness, Fear & Rejection.
     Special glasses are provided.

   • A presenter gives brief instructions to help the students prepare for the Multimedia Programme.

2. Development (Multimedia Programme):

   • The students, seated in pairs at a computer workstation, will choose a theme: Forgiveness, Fear or Rejection and then commence the Multimedia Programme. Students will only have time to investigate one theme.

   • Each theme has four sections.
     Each section is introduced by a short video clip, followed by a 'postcard' asking for help & advice.
     Students then have several desktop resources available to help them formulate a response to each postcard. These resources are:

     • Extracts from the Bible - which is both seen and heard.

     • Quotations - in the form of a web page.

     • Contemporary Christian Music

     • Video extracts from 'The Miracle Maker' (an animated film on the life of Jesus).

   • Students are then given five possible responses. Once a response has been made, students move on to the next section. With each section the story develops.

3. Final Plenary Review:

   • At the end of the Multimedia Programme the students' responses are printed out for further work/reflection.

   • The Presenter brings the lesson to a conclusion by seeing if there are key points students wish to make. The summary will be relevant to all three themes. Fuller feedback should be left to a subsequent lesson - see below.

Extension Work

We suggest that the time spent in the Mobile Classroom is the first of up to a four lesson process. More details are available in a specially prepared Teacher's Pack, which includes worksheets and additional schemes of work.

http://www.gsuslive.co.uk/schools/htpack/htpack_mp.html