Core Training dates – in person
Wednesday 4 December 2024, 10.00 am–1.00 pm, Byfleet
Refresher Training dates – in person
Wednesday 14 May 2025, 10.00 am–1.00 pm, Swindon (includes a Drama Workshop)
Core Training dates – on Zoom
Tuesday 10 December 2024, 10.00 am–1.00 pm
Thursday 12 December 2024, 10.00 am–1.00 pm
Sign with Steff – on Zoom
Get started using Makaton in your assemblies and join Steff in one of our Makaton sessions. The November and December sessions will be Christmas-based (wear your Christmas jumper!). Learn how to sign ‘Happy Christmas’ and all the signs you need to do a Nativity story assembly.
Wednesday 4 December 2024, 2.00–2.30 pm
Rachel started as our Open the Book Team Lead in July. Previously she worked as a Regional Training and Development Officer for Wales and Southwest England Open the Book Training and Development Officer for nearly three years. She also worked as a teacher for several years.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I was born in Weymouth but have lived in Wales for 33 years since moving here to do my teacher training. I love travelling and did a solo trip, circumnavigating the world, staying in New Zealand for a year, and doing a tandem skydive from 12,000 ft.
Tell us a surprising fact about yourself
I rode my motorbike to Italy with my brother to visit the prisoner of war camp that my grandad escaped from and see the port where his submarine was torpedoed.
What do you remember about school assemblies when you were a pupil?
Sitting cross-legged on dusty floors, whispering to my best friend and hoping to be picked to do something.
Who first told you Bible stories?
I’m not sure who told me my first Bible story as all my family used to read Bible stories to me and I was in the church creche at six months old. But I especially remember reading Bible stories with my dad.
What advice would you give your 11-year-old self?
Believe you can do it.
Who is your favourite biblical character and why?
I love David because he is flawed but loves God with his whole heart. He gives me hope.
Why do you love Open the Book?
I love that it is changing so many lives through the power of God’s word.
I love that it enables anyone to take part in the great mission and is a blessing both to those taking part and to those watching the assemblies.
I love that it is a positive experience of Christianity for children that continues to impact their lives.
I love that it is raising the Bible confidence of so many Christians and increasing biblical literacy around the world.
What is your vision for your new role?
For God to be at the heart of all that we do.
To serve the Open the Book HQ team so that they in turn can serve Storytellers and we can share Bible stories with all children everywhere.
What is your favourite thing about Advent?
It is a glimpse of heaven, a time full of love, family and happiness centred on our Lord.
‘For there is nothing that God cannot do.’ Luke 1.37 (GNB)
Or as the New International Version puts it, ‘For no Word from God will ever fail.’ These words are part of Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that God is becoming Immanuel – God with us. What good news!
The Annunciation (announcement) is an incredibly significant event. Mary is offered a part in God’s plan for the world. The path Mary thought her life would take has suddenly and dramatically altered! She has been recast and her story is now part of God’s work of salvation. What a privilege!
God asks OtB storytellers to play a part in his offer of salvation to the children of the world.
Ask God to help you say, ‘I am your servant’ and to give you courage and faith, like Mary.
‘We had an occasion where we arrived in a local school to do our Christmas assembly to find that the school hall was already set out with a full-sized stable background with a crib. So, we asked and just incorporated these handy props into our session. When we finished the OTB assembly, most but not all the kids left for their next class.
‘A group stayed with their teacher and started rehearsing their own nativity play. Some of them might be Open the Book storytellers in the future!
‘Of all the assemblies we have done this story has to be the most well-known. It is a good job that the OTB Christmas stories sometimes take a slightly different approach to the nativity to help the kids see the well-known events from a new perspective.’
Rob and Steff, OtB in Newcastle
Teachers and pupils are often tired by the end of term in December, so perhaps you could encourage and bless them at this very busy time. Here are some ideas:
Read the Bible 
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