How do I log into the Energize web site?
You may access the Energize web site either by selecting the link from the main Urban Saints home page or by typing www.urbansaints.org/energize into your browser.
Once you are on the Energize website you will see the username and password fields in the left hand column. Simply enter the username and password that we have supplied you with via email and click ‘Login’.
Please note: The username and password may be used by all of the leaders in your group’s leadership team, but must never be given to any young people in your group or to anyone outside your team. Leaders do not have individual usernames and passwords.
For what age ranges do the Meeting Plans cater?
The Meeting Plans have been specifically developed to provide a coherent approach across a whole generation, divided into the 7-10, 11-14 and 15+ age groups. Having said this, a number of the activities within the Meeting Plans for 7-10 year olds will work with minimal adaptation for children under seven.
How do I access Meeting Plans according to the Energize syllabus?
Urban Saints are developing a balanced syllabus for every age group above. For each age group the syllabus is broken down into nine sections that intotal cover a three-year period. Each section provides at least 13 weeks of material. The syllabus outlines are broadly similar for each age group so that all ages within a youth/children’s group can study similar subject areas at the same time, which we hope will be helpful. (Obviously the Meeting Plans for each age group are completely different in content and style.) We will ensure that if you follow the syllabus then you will eventually use all of the Meeting Plans for an age group within a broad and balanced teaching programme. The syllabus can be started at any time of the year.
To use the Energize syllabus all you need to do is click on the top menu bar entitled ‘Meeting Plans’, select the age group of your choice (e.g. 7-10s) and then the Section at which you will start (Year 1 Section 1 is the usual starting point). Now click ‘Show Meeting Plans’ and the Meeting Plans for that Section will be displayed. The syllabus continues to expand as new Meeting Plans are added.
How do I search for individual Meeting Plans, or make my own syllabus?
First you need to click on the top menu bar entitled ‘Meeting Plans’.
To search for individual Meeting Plans click ‘Advanced Meeting Plan search’.
You can search for individual Meeting Plans by any combination of the following:
*A ‘Mega Theme’ is a broad heading for a collection of related themes. For example, Energize includes a Mega Theme entitled ‘Influences’. Within this Mega Theme, there are specific themes which relate to it, e.g. friends, family, media, school, advertising etc.
To create your own syllabus you could construct a series on a particular Mega Theme, for example, or maybe plan a term of sessions that cover themes most applicable to your group at that time. Because the search facility is so versatile, the ways in which you can construct a syllabus are almost limitless.
How do I search for individual activities from within all the Meeting Plans?
You first need to click on the top menu bar entitled ‘Meeting Plans’.
To search for a particular type of activity, click ‘Search individual Meeting Plan items’.
You can search for individual activities within all of the Meeting Plans by any combination of the following:
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Age (5-7, 7-10, 11-14. 15+)
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Type (e.g. Game)
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Themes (e.g. Friends)
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Keyword (e.g. searching for any word you enter)
Once you’ve set your search items just click ‘Show Items’.
For example: You could select all the ‘Games’ which are aimed at working with 5-7 year olds to support the theme ‘Friends’.
How do I adapt a Meeting Plan?
When you have selected a specific Meeting Plan it will be displayed on screen with each activity ticked. If you want to adapt the Meeting Plan to include only certain items of your choice, then simply un-tick the activities you don’t require and then click on ‘Hide unselected items’ which is at the bottom of the screen.
If you make a mistake, simple click ‘Show all elements’ and the full Meeting Plan will return.
When you adapt a Meeting Plan you will notice that the overall duration of the plan, shown at the top of the screen, is re-calculated to give you an idea of how long it will last.
You can now either print the Meeting Plan by clicking on ‘Print View’ or email the Meeting Plan to any of the other leaders in your team by clicking on ‘eMail this to other leaders in my group’.
How do I set up my leadership team to receive Energize Meeting Plans by eMail?
Click on ‘Our Group’ which is shown on the left-hand column of the website. This will display a list of options for you:
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Manage Leaders Details
This enables you to set up leaders in your group who will then be able to receive Energize Meeting Plans by eMail.
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Edit Group Details
This enables you to amend the address / contact information for your team.
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Change Login password
This enables you to change your Group password – don’t forget that if it is changed then everyone on the team will need to be told!
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Logout
Is there any limit to the number of Leaders/Helpers that I set up?
There is no limit to the number of leaders that you can set up to receive Energize Meeting Plans by eMail. It goes without saying that you should only be entering details of bona fide leaders who are using the Energize material in the context of your individual local group. Please see the next question for more information on Energize restrictions.
Are there any restrictions on the use of the Energize material?
The Energize subscription you have purchased is for use within your own individual local group. Your username and password must not be shared with other youth and children’s groups, individuals or churches.
All the Energize material is fully copyrighted. As a registered Energize group you have permission to print off personal copies of the Meeting Plans (and other materials as indicated on the website) for use solely within your local group, and to distribute photocopies or emails of the Meeting Plans within your leadership team. You are not permitted to distribute any Energize material in any form to those outside your leadership team. Please ensure everyone on your team using Energize understands these restrictions.
If you are aware of people from other churches or youth groups who are interested in the resource, please encourage them to contact Urban Saints directly to purchase a subscription.
We cannot enforce these restrictions but we trust you to abide by them.
How can I give you feedback about the content of the website?
Your feedback is really important to us. Please get in touch if you have:
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Any general questions or comments
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Feedback – either positive or negative – about any of the Energize resources
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Ideas for subjects you would like covered in a future Meeting Plan or on-line article
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Suggestions for enabling us to serve you better
Our eMail address is energize@urbansaints.org and we will reply to you as soon as we are able.
If the Energize website is down, whom can I contact?
If you are experiencing technical problems with the Energize website then you have a number of options:
