My oldest is a high school junior, which means we’ve been logging lots of miles on the road visiting colleges. I’ve discovered that some schools welcome prospective students in the way I remember from my own experience: watch a video, take a tour, offer a few minutes to ask current students questions. These visits are … Continue reading
And now we begin to prepare for Lent… Use the code “BLESS30” to receive 30% off Lenten Prayer Station downloads in the new Etsy shop. Please sign up for the email list to receive downloadable bookmarks and upcoming special offers.. I’ve written previously about the challenges and joys of offering an activity for children in a … Continue reading
Today, Erin, aka The Social Butterfly Mom, is sharing her perspective on how churches can support parents practicing faith at home. Erin is one of the super-engaged moms in our church and in our community. She brings fresh honesty, insights, and ideas to our children’s ministry. And, she sends me adorable videos of her two-year old reciting the … Continue reading
Praygrounds, or dedicated areas in the worship space for children, are a wonderful new development many churches have added. But, what if you don’t have a dedicated space? We share our small sanctuary with another congregation, so a permanent area with furniture or baby equipment wasn’t an option for us. Instead, we use the empty … Continue reading
I have noticed that the youth are less enthusiastic about backpack blessing tags than the younger kids. This year I decided to try to come up with a something that appealed to a wider age range. The blessing reminder needs to be: Youth friendly. Visually appealing. Budget-friendly. Reflect our church’s commitment to inclusion. Be a … Continue reading
The first Sunday of July is often the first Sunday worshiping with the new pastor for United Methodist churches with a new appointment. The goal of children’s time on the first Sunday is to introduce children to the new pastor and to model generously welcoming new people to the congregation. For the following children’s message, … Continue reading
There are three parts to welcoming guest with children to Easter services: Invite, Include, and Inspire. Here’s what I’m working on this week: Invite- Both personal and group invitations are an important part of Easter preparation. Personally invite families to services. This year we will be “Egging” families by hiding plastic eggs in their yards along with a … Continue reading
