Theme Scheme: Creative Ideas, Social Programmes for All Ages and Stages, Activities, Games & Quizzes

By Rosalie Sugrue

This updated and expanded 3rd edition of Theme Scheme offers you a wealth of creative ideas, activities, games, plays and quizzes to help plan, organise and lead your group’s programmes. All are fun and practical, requiring minimal equipment, resources and time to prepare.

The first section covers a whole year, month-by-month, to help you celebrate New Zealand and international anniversaries, national days, organisations and causes.

Games are a wonderful way for folk to mix and get to know one another. There are easy instructions for indoor and outdoor games suitable for active, young people, through to less mobile, older people. Great for convenors, leaders, teachers and diversional therapists.

The book also includes sound, straightforward guidelines for running small group meetings, covering rules for happy meetings, an agenda and minutes structure, and the role of the person leading the meeting.

Special Sundays and church related activities through the year are highlighted. This section also notes related plays and readings in Rosalie’s companion book Ten Plays: Short, easy dramas for churches (available in print and as an eBook).

The last two sections of material for themed quizzes and trivia competitions on general and Bible topics will keep your group entertained and interacting with each other throughout the year.

About this Updated and Expanded Third edition:

In the first section – Months of the Year – dates for National Observances and Appeals have been updated, discontinued events deleted, and new entries added.

In the chapter for January we have added another set of years for Chinese Animal symbols for 2032-2043. We have also added graphics for the Animal symbols and for the Signs of the Zodiac.

We have added a section on Celebrating Significant Birthdays for older people, traditional gifts for milestone Wedding Anniversaries, and Birthstones, Colours and Flowers for Birthday months.

In the Games section, we have added:
- A new large space game: Paper Track-Wheel Races
- Long Table Games for several people, which are ideal for elderly and mobility impaired persons
- Small Table Games for 2 to 4 people
- Competitions with a message
- Craft activities
- Themed Word searches
- Outside Games

Website links have been checked and updated.

In the Quizzes section, lists of Māori words have been expanded.

And countries statistics have been updated to include the latest population sizes and life expectancy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Garside
• Release date: Jul 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781991027160

Rosalie Sugrue

Rosalie Reynolds Sugrue is a fifth generation West Coaster. Both her parents being fourth generation Coasters whose forebears came seeking gold. Rosalie’s great grandfather, James Reynolds, was a local preacher from Cornwall who preached to miners on the beaches and helped establish the first Methodist church in Hokitika. His wife, Eliza, signed the petition that gave women the vote.Rosalie’s mother Elva Reynolds was a Methodist Deacon and also a lay preacher. Rosalie is a past president of the NZ Lay Preachers’ Association, and the inaugural facilitator of the Methodist Lay Preachers Network 2004, serving as a co-facilitator until 2008. She has led hundreds of church services in New Zealand and the UK. She has also led rest home services, family services, cafe style worship, house blessings and devotions at Methodist Conference and in many other situations.A wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and author, Rosalie is a retired teacher, and has also worked as a psychiatric nurse and motellier. She has been active in Jaycees, the Methodist Women’s Fellowship, the Community of Women and Men in Church and Society, National Council of Women, the Churches’ Agency on Social Issues, Victim Support and U3A. She continues an active role as a lay preacher leading one to three services every month in a variety of churches.

Book preview

Theme Scheme

Creative Ideas, Social Programmes for All Ages and Stages, Activities, Games & Quizzes

Rosalie Sugrue

Table of Contents

Theme Scheme

Title

About this Updated and Expanded Third edition

Introduction — Themed Gatherings

Setting the Theme Scene

For extra information

Show & Tell

Quizzes & Competitions

Activities

Discussions, Debates & Speakers

National Days & Appeals

Church Groups

January

Month of Janus

January Ideas

February

February National Observances and Appeals

March

March National Observances and Appeals

April

April National Observances and Appeals

May

May National Observances and Appeals

June

June National Observances and Appeals

July

July National Observances and Appeals

August

August National Observances and Appeals

September

September National Observances and Appeals

October

October National Observances and Appeals

November

November National Observances and Appeals

December

December National Observances and Appeals

Celebrate Significant Birthdays & Anniversaries

Games

Parlour Games

Moving and Mixing Games

Party Games for Active People

Chanting Games

Games for Young People

Large-space Games — for energetic, suitably clad, young people

Outside Games

Back yard / neighbourhood games (unstructured play)

Long table games

Table games for small tables

Progressive Pairs

Competitions with a message

Additional activities

Games for Christmas

Ideas for Church Groups

General pointers

Fellowship Meetings

Special Sundays and Church Related Activities

Quizzes on General Topics

Days of the Week Gods

Greek and Roman Gods and Goddess

Planets named after Roman Gods

Famous Couples

New Zealand Facts

Facts about other countries

Famous New Zealand Books and Authors

Māori gods and goddesses

Māori Words

Famous Kiwis

Animal Quizzes

Word Teasers

Words within Words

Common Expressions: Are they from Shakespeare or the Bible?

Bible Quizzes

Biblical Journeys

Biblical Places

Biblical Partners and Lovers

Food in the Bible

Flowers, Fruit and Nuts in the Bible

Bible Foods and Who Ate them

Bible Children with stories

Bible Mothers and their Children

Bible Fathers and their Sons in Genesis

Other Biblical Fathers and their Sons

Biblical Fathers and their Daughters

Bible Trees

Who or What completes the phrase?

Bible Characters synonymous with a particular action or quality

Bible Firsts and Lasts

Bible Numbers

Bible Riddles

Acknowledgements

Copyright

About this Book

About the Author

Books by Rosalie Sugrue

About this Updated and Expanded Third edition

In the first section – Months of the Year – dates for National Observances and Appeals have been updated, discontinued events deleted, and new entries added.

In the chapter for January we have added another set of years for Chinese Animal symbols for 2032-2043. We have also added graphics for the Animal symbols and for the Signs of the Zodiac.

We have added a section on Celebrating Significant Birthdays for older people, traditional gifts for milestone Wedding Anniversaries, and Birthstones, Colours and Flowers for Birthday months.

In the Games section we have added:

A new large space game: Paper Track-Wheel Races

Long Table Games for several people, which are ideal for elderly and mobility impaired persons

Small Table Games for 2 to 4 people

Competitions with a message

Craft activities

Themed Word searches

Outside Games

Website links have been checked and updated.

In the Quizzes section, lists of Māori words have been expanded.

And countries statistics have been updated to include the latest population sizes and life expectancy.

Introduction — Themed Gatherings

This book has grown out of a philosophy of caring by sharing. It is a resource for all who organise programmes for people, including: convenors, youth leaders, teachers and diversional therapists.

Themes stimulate ideas. The suggested activities are intended for adaptation to suit your particular group. Although intentionally organised in months, the various concepts can be used at any time of year.

Note: Supper in this text means light refreshments any time of day.

Setting the Theme Scene

A display of relevant objects, pictures, a poster or map etc. will create interest and atmosphere.

For extra information

Use members’ expertise where possible and don’t forget their whānau (family), free leaflets, library books and the Internet.

Show & Tell

An ideal way to involve everyone. Each person brings an object to show and talk about. If the group is larger than 12, form buzz-groups of 6-8 people. Each ‘tell’ should be brief, only a few sentences. When finished place all objects on a table for further viewing over supper. Both the Theme and Show and Tell object, must be decided and advised to the members well before the meeting so they know what to bring.

Quizzes & Competitions

A fun way to recall, learn, or consolidate facts. Can be done as small-group team activity with pen and paper, but the easiest way is to play one half of the room against the other – first side to call out correct answer gets a point.

Activities

Enrich the gathering experience with theme relevant:

Also by wearing a theme related article: a particular colour, symbol, scarf or hat, and by serving appropriate food.

Discussions, Debates & Speakers

These provide an opportunity for members to reflect, recall, learn and consider.

National Days & Appeals

Create activities and invite speakers relating to the listed days.

Dates are subject to change. World and National Days tend not to change. Appeal Days and Awareness Weeks/Months supporting local causes, are likely to change. Those shown here relate to mid-2022 to mid-2023. (Please also check the websites of individual organisations for updates.)

Note that many groups who previously ran appeal days, weeks or months, now instead seek donations via their websites all year round.

Also, COVID-19 lockdowns, and other related restrictions on public gatherings, have resulted in many charities changing their previously well established annual appeal days and awareness weeks.

Church Groups

Theme Scheme was originally compiled for church groups but wider uses for both young and old are obvious, so it has been re-designed for multiple uses. A section with additional suggestions for church groups is retained at the back.

January

Month of Janus

Roman god of Beginnings and Gateways depicted with two faces, one looking to the future, the other to the past.

Many groups don’t meet in January as this month is seen as New Zealand’s holiday and time out season. However, some groups like to maintain a contact every month of the year. Our laid-back January gives an opportunity to enjoy less formal and different styles of gathering.

January Ideas

Have a picnic outing – just members or with families.

Have a pot-luck meal – at a member’s home or in club grounds.

Go out together – for lunch, the movies or an exhibition, etc.

Seniors – with Goldcard, take a group train ride or bus trip.

Have a social evening.

Janus theme

Wear face masks on back of heads.

Quiz on Greek, Roman, Nordic and other gods and goddesses.

Explore the gods our weekdays are named after. See Days of the Week Gods in the Quizzes on General Topics section.

Activity: Spread on the floor or spaced chairs, a selection of gate and doorway pictures (cut from magazines). Quietly look at each then stand by your favourite. Share why you chose the one you did.

Sample different pasta dishes or order pizza.

Calendar theme

Bring interesting calendars to display

Compare our AD year with calendars of other faiths:

Jewish: Varies from 353 to 385 days

Muslim: Hijrah calendar. 13 lunar months, fixed by the crescent moon and not tied to the seasons

Māori: When does the year begin and why?

Chinese Zodiac: Read the qualities and characteristics of your year of birth. (Search the Internet for details.) The Chinese New Year next falls on 22 January 2023.

Year of the:

Rat: 2032, 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924

Ox: 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925

Tiger: 2034, 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926

Rabbit: 2035, 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927

Dragon: 2036, 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928

Snake: 2037, 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929

Horse: 2038, 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930

Sheep: 2039, 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931

Monkey: 2040, 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932

Rooster: 2041, 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933

Dog: 2042, 030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934

Pig: 2043, 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935

Zodiac

• Ram (Aries, 21 March–19 April)

• Bull (Taurus, 20 April–20 May)

• Twins (Gemini, 21 May–20 June)

• Crab (Cancer, 21 June–21 July)

• Lion (Leo, 22 July–22 August)

• Maiden (Virgo, 23 August–22 September)

• Scales (Libra, 23 September–22 October)

• Scorpion (Scorpio, 23 October–21 November)

• Archer (Sagittarius, 22 November–21 December)

• Goat (Capricorn, 22 December–19 January)

• Water-carrier (Aquarius, 20 January–18 February)

• Fish (Pisces, 19 February–19 March)

Ice-breaker Activity

(To get people moving and interacting.)

Set out enough small tables to enable all to sit in groups of 4 or 5.

Before the gathering, cut old calendar pictures into 5 or 6 pieces to form simple jigsaws. Place one piece of each jigsaw on a different table. Hand out other pieces randomly, one piece to each person. When the leader shouts Go find your table and group by matching and completing the jigsaw.

Group Activities

Compete in a team quiz.

Have a different board game at each table. Use a timer and move groups every 10 minutes. The winner of each table is the person in the lead when the bell sounds. Give 5 points for the winner and 3 points for second place. Keep a running total.

Play the dice game Beetles. Have four players per table with pairs of partners sitting opposite. All take turns throwing the dice but only one of the partners sketches the beetle, adding body parts depending on the numbers thrown: 1 = body, 2 = head, 3 = eyes x 2, 4 = feelers x 2, 5 = mouth, 6 = legs x 6. (Players must roll a 1 to start and must roll a 2 before adding head features.) The first pair to complete all features calls out BEETLE. Others must then stop playing.

Winners are awarded 15 points; others get 1 point per feature. The pair with highest score move clockwise to next table. On the call of Go losers have the first turn to roll the dice.

After a set number of games all points are totalled to decide the winning pair.

Group Discussion

In turn:

Share where you were this New Year?

Describe a memorable New Year.

Share New Year resolutions for both yourself and the group.

Share a Wish List with the full group.

6th — Feast of Epiphany or Twelfth Night (after Christmas)

Information: Recalls the Revelation to the Magi.

Tradition decrees that Christmas decorations should be taken down, either on the 6th or the day after. Churches remove nativity scenes after their Sunday celebration of Epiphany.

Explore European traditions.

Wear cardboard crowns.

Read a Magi folk story.

Sing Epiphany carols.

Conduct a Quiz to find the three wisest people present. Award three prizes, packaged to look like the Magi gifts.

25th — Birthday of Robbie Burns — Scottish night

Wear something tartan.

Enjoy a selection of Scottish poems and songs.

Invite children who learn Highland Dancing or a bagpiper to perform.

Find someone able to teach a highland reel.

Share Scottish memories and Tell Scottish jokes.

Eat shortbread and oatcakes.

26th — Australia Day

Decorate the room with Australian travel posters.

Leader wears hat with dangling corks.

Read Australian poems.

Sing Australian songs.

Learn some Australian history.

Share memories of visits to Australia.

Competition: Who can compile the longest list of Australian animals?

Create a large Rolf Harris style mural.

Decorate boomerang shapes with Aboriginal style art.

Hold a quiz on Australian facts and trivia. See Australia facts in the Quizzes on General Topics section.

29th – World Leprosy Day – last Sunday of January

Join people around the world in prayer and awareness-raising.

February

February – from the Latin word februare meaning to purify. A time of preparation for the Roman New Year.

6th — Waitangi Day

Background: The Treaty was first signed 6 February 1840 at Waitangi.

Celebrate this founding document of New Zealand, forged not as a result of war, but as a document of intended good will between two races and all faiths practised in this country.

Read The Treaty of Waitangi, including Article 4.

The Governor says, the several faiths of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome, and also Māori custom usage, shall be alike protected by him.

A last-minute clause added at the insistence of the Roman Catholic Bishop Pompallier.

Research the Treaty history of your area.

Consider