Three Wise Camels and a Flying Padre

Thanks to the generous grant from the Synod Growth Fund, Andrew McDonough from Lost Sheep Resources accompanied Padre David Shrimpton of the Broken Hill Flying Patrol on a ‘Three wise camels tour,’ through the Far West of NSW.

Visiting a total of six schools over seven days, two church services and a Special Religious Education (SRE) training day, Andrew was warmly welcomed to the area when in Tibooburra on the first day it reached a top of 47 degrees.

At each school, Andrew shared his Three Wise Camels story, showed the students how he created the story from its beginnings thirty years before, and shared his original pictures and print work. After sharing an SRE lesson, he ran drawing workshops where the kids created sheep, flies, camels, spiders, and the most popular drawing challenge of a sheep riding a motorbike eating pizza.

The highlight at each school was building a life size camel, which the kids paraded around the school to meet the chooks, eat cauliflower in the garden, and have a sleep on the schoolroom floor.

The response from the teachers and students was so positive that Andrew and Padre Dave were asked to stay for the entire school day, meeting with parents at school pick up and engaging with community members after school and in the evenings.

Each student received some artwork and stickers and were also able to choose a copy of a Lost Sheep book, which Andrew then signed and included a personal message of encouragement.

Our best quote of the day came from a Year 6 student who enthusiastically announced, “I don’t like drawing, but this has been fun. I can’t believe I can do it.”

David Shrimpton

Find Out More about the Synod Growth Fund

The Synod seeks to support a small number of projects each year through the Synod Growth Investment Fund that will help the Uniting Church grow in discipleship, relationship, number and impact. It gives congregations the opportunity to apply for funding to support growth and to inspire genuine renewal. 

The Synod Growth Fund is supported through the Seeds of Growth contribution made by Congregations and Presbyteries. God is calling us to become a contemporary, courageous, growing Church proclaiming Jesus Christ in worship, witness and service. This is the vision statement from the Future Directions which will guide the Synod into the future. 

FIND OUT MORE

Students drawings of the Three Wise Camels

Author and Illustrator Andrew McDonough