Tonight's Super Sloppy Summers was picnic themed. We ate outside and then had a whipped cream pie eating contest where you had to find the cherry sour in a pie tin of whipped cream without using eyes or hands. We also played blanket volleyball with water balloons, which actually ended up being a very nice lesson in unity and cooperation because it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. We covered the parking lot in sidewalk chalk paint [I love the stuff]. And we played duck duck splash, which is like duck duck goose but with a splash ball--oh, and the mush pot was actually a giant rubbermaid container filled with instant mashed potatoes. That was awesome, and I am sure that you can guess what happened after we were done--mashed potato fight! I just found mashed potatoes near my armpit, actually.
Small group time involved discussing the feeding of the 5,000 and also what Jesus meant by the term bread of life.
So much fun, and parents are telling me that the kids countdown the days until the next one. That's cool to me.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
postsecret
I am a big fan of this site and am thinking of adapting it for use in children's ministry. I pray for each and every secret.
And in keeping with the theme of secrets and confessions, I have to admit that I would like to write on this blog a few more of my frustrations with ministry and even seek advice on what to do about situations at work, but I don't due to a fear of someone at work reading it or any other retribution of writing about them. I am a little more candid than most of my friends (I actually admitted that I hated VBS, and man, the negative feedback I got from that offline--seems you just can't be honest anymore, since being 'negative' is such a sin ). Still, there are things that come up that I just don't write about. Think, though, of the support and help we could give each other as ministry professionals if we could just be totally honest on a blog.
Am I the only one who holds back?
And in keeping with the theme of secrets and confessions, I have to admit that I would like to write on this blog a few more of my frustrations with ministry and even seek advice on what to do about situations at work, but I don't due to a fear of someone at work reading it or any other retribution of writing about them. I am a little more candid than most of my friends (I actually admitted that I hated VBS, and man, the negative feedback I got from that offline--seems you just can't be honest anymore, since being 'negative' is such a sin ). Still, there are things that come up that I just don't write about. Think, though, of the support and help we could give each other as ministry professionals if we could just be totally honest on a blog.
Am I the only one who holds back?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Random Shout Out
I just noticed that I have a lot of knitters who read my blog. Knitters, you have my utmost respect for the patience and artistry that comes with your talent. I sometimes just look at the pictures of the things you make, and it makes me smile.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Note to Self
When having a fundraising hot dog dinner, remember to put a gigantic sign out front that reminds people to only get 2 hot dogs apiece to start. Otherwise, people think it is an all you can eat buffet and will pile 6 hotdogs on their plates.
And another weird question...if you buy an equal number of hot dogs and an equal number of buns (and you know this because you are meticulous about such things), how do you run out of buns and still have hot dogs? Do people just eat buns plain? Are they carb loading or on some anti atkins kick? Is there a bun gremlin just like the sock gremlins? Does it go into another dimension? I wonder these things.
And another weird question...if you buy an equal number of hot dogs and an equal number of buns (and you know this because you are meticulous about such things), how do you run out of buns and still have hot dogs? Do people just eat buns plain? Are they carb loading or on some anti atkins kick? Is there a bun gremlin just like the sock gremlins? Does it go into another dimension? I wonder these things.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Pentecost
Our multigenerational Pentecost celebration was such a blessing. Everyone got into it, and I was very pleased. I planned it with the adult ed person who is really starting to get into reading about different generations, which is a great asset in an adult ed person.
We started out together and listened to the kids and youth read the Pentecost story, which was illustrated (and projected onto the screens) by the KidsInCers. Then we moved upstairs and rotated freely around to stations--making windsocks, making pinwheels, constructing balsa wood airplanes [a very cool station because it was led by an airplane enthusiast and a prominent NASA person], candle making, cupcake decorating [birthday of the church, you know], bubbles etc. We also had a missionary visiting who pilots planes to bring supplies to remote villages in Africa. I guess you can see that we were trying to emphasize the wind and fire imagery of the Holy Spirit. Anyway, it was the coolest thing to see the ages intermingle. At one point, I saw an elderly man in a wheelchair holding up his airplane with a smile that rivaled his neighboring 6 year old seatmate. From the smile, you couldn't tell who the 6 year old was, and the man began telling the boy about his plane, and soon, 2 girls came up, and then a huge crowd was gathered. In fact, the buildings and grounds people were counting to make sure we didn't bust fire code.
Then the crowd broke, and they all headed down the stairs and elevators with wind things in hand and filled the sky with their toys, smiles beaming brighter than the sun.
I stood there, red velvet cupcake in hand [cream cheese icing mustache atop my grin] thinking, yep, this is good. This is very, very good.
We started out together and listened to the kids and youth read the Pentecost story, which was illustrated (and projected onto the screens) by the KidsInCers. Then we moved upstairs and rotated freely around to stations--making windsocks, making pinwheels, constructing balsa wood airplanes [a very cool station because it was led by an airplane enthusiast and a prominent NASA person], candle making, cupcake decorating [birthday of the church, you know], bubbles etc. We also had a missionary visiting who pilots planes to bring supplies to remote villages in Africa. I guess you can see that we were trying to emphasize the wind and fire imagery of the Holy Spirit. Anyway, it was the coolest thing to see the ages intermingle. At one point, I saw an elderly man in a wheelchair holding up his airplane with a smile that rivaled his neighboring 6 year old seatmate. From the smile, you couldn't tell who the 6 year old was, and the man began telling the boy about his plane, and soon, 2 girls came up, and then a huge crowd was gathered. In fact, the buildings and grounds people were counting to make sure we didn't bust fire code.
Then the crowd broke, and they all headed down the stairs and elevators with wind things in hand and filled the sky with their toys, smiles beaming brighter than the sun.
I stood there, red velvet cupcake in hand [cream cheese icing mustache atop my grin] thinking, yep, this is good. This is very, very good.
VBS and burgers
Ok, let me clarify why I hate VBS, but first I need to talk about my favorite burger place.
I don't eat many burgers, especially now that I'm training for a marathon, but when I do, I don't go for McDonalds or the higher class, Fuddruckers. I go to Lucky Burger. The building is shaped like a sombrero and serves up a nice 1/4 lb burger with a side of some of the best fried rice in town. When I go out of town, I search for these sort of places because I like the indigenous, the eclectic, the heterogeneous. I'm just not a happy meal kind of gal.
Now onto VBS. Many years ago, VBS was a different animal. It kind of had the feel of a backyard Bible camp, the closeness of small groups, a distinct personality, and just overall simplistic fun. Perhaps it is just my "neck of the woods," suburban, affluent Houston, TX, but things just aren't the same. Now, VBS is prepackaged, overpriced, and homogeneous to the point that aside from the theme, you can't tell the difference between publishers. One has a chipmunk and a buffalo telling about Jesus, and another has a mouse. It's all the same.
Now don't get me wrong--it runs like a well-oiled machine. When I started this job a year ago, I was told that I didn't have to do anything but walk around and smile, and they were right. Here it is, a year later, and aside from adding a rather large missions component to it, I'm the smiling poster queen, but I hate that. Why don't I do anything about it? It's because at this point, it runs smoothly, it's not broken, per se, and since I am a one staff member team, I've got to pick my battles.
Now to answer Trisha's question-- yes, I am ministering. If you read the rest of my blog, you can see the many, many areas in which we are ministering. I'm busy because I am constantly in prayer, constantly in motion, thinking of ways to minister inside and outside our community and doing all of them. The problem is that VBS is not a ministry to me, at least not in this area. The churches around here call each other in January to find out which publisher each church is using so that they don't duplicate. They also pull out their calendars and fight over weeks because down here, parents want cheap (yes, we charge for VBS down here because the curriculum is so expensive and so are the tshirts and all the little dodads that go with it) babysitting all summer--every week should be filled with a VBS from somewhere, and it is. June is the Baptists, us, the Church of Christ and the Methodists. July is taken by independence day, the Bible church, the other Baptist church, the nondenominational mega church, etc. It is sickening.
And because it is a well oiled machine, it is the most efficient choice to put a cap on the amount of kids who come--200. It means better security, better organization, better planning. It also means that once Suzie and her little friend Betsy and all their little goldilocks friends pay their tuition with checks clipped together to ensure that they are in groups together, the chairperson/s begins having to turn away neighborhood kids, last minute move ins, kids who are outside the flock and sometimes worse turn away reasons--I've seen it all from churches around here, not just ours. That's not ministry to me, but it's the obvious choice when you're doing one of these kits.
I have a volunteer crew of brilliant, creative women and men, and yes, they run the ship so well that it is flawless year after year, but to me, their brilliance and love of the Lord is lost in the midst of (forgive me using the phrase again) Chuck E Church, and the kids get lost in it, too. But my team is only so big, and we are planning unbelievable ministry opportunities all the time, so I can understand why doing something as simple as Group VBS sounds easy and wonderful.
Two years ago, I worked for a church in Bolingbrook, Il that didn't have the funds for one of these VBS to go boxes. We put our heads together and created our own VBS. It was called Bible stories come to life, and the kids became a part of the Bible stories. They crawled into an ark that we made of crates and pallets and heard the story while a friend of mine and I ran around outside holding up rainbows and blue streamers and spraying the window with water and making fake birds fly. Yeah, it was low budget, but the kids loved it, and every one of them could tell you the story afterward. "Yeah, but it's Noah, you say. " Ok, well we also made a life sized ark of the covenant, created a river in the church hallway with rocks and reeds on the side, had the kids carry the ark down the river and into the temple, etc. We had the kids blow trumpets to crumble the wall of Jericho and on another day, had them sit inside the dark well/pit while looking up at the tiny light in the ceiling and hearing the story of Joseph. This was ministry--this was VBS to me, and I even adapted the idea to create the Fear Not Festival last year, which was astounding because of my volunteers' brilliance and artistry. That is my idea of VBS.
Well, I've rambled on enough, and you hopefully understand my point of view now, and if you don't, well, I can't ramble on anymore. It's not that VBS is bad, it's just another happy meal, and next year, maybe we'll do something more.
I don't eat many burgers, especially now that I'm training for a marathon, but when I do, I don't go for McDonalds or the higher class, Fuddruckers. I go to Lucky Burger. The building is shaped like a sombrero and serves up a nice 1/4 lb burger with a side of some of the best fried rice in town. When I go out of town, I search for these sort of places because I like the indigenous, the eclectic, the heterogeneous. I'm just not a happy meal kind of gal.
Now onto VBS. Many years ago, VBS was a different animal. It kind of had the feel of a backyard Bible camp, the closeness of small groups, a distinct personality, and just overall simplistic fun. Perhaps it is just my "neck of the woods," suburban, affluent Houston, TX, but things just aren't the same. Now, VBS is prepackaged, overpriced, and homogeneous to the point that aside from the theme, you can't tell the difference between publishers. One has a chipmunk and a buffalo telling about Jesus, and another has a mouse. It's all the same.
Now don't get me wrong--it runs like a well-oiled machine. When I started this job a year ago, I was told that I didn't have to do anything but walk around and smile, and they were right. Here it is, a year later, and aside from adding a rather large missions component to it, I'm the smiling poster queen, but I hate that. Why don't I do anything about it? It's because at this point, it runs smoothly, it's not broken, per se, and since I am a one staff member team, I've got to pick my battles.
Now to answer Trisha's question-- yes, I am ministering. If you read the rest of my blog, you can see the many, many areas in which we are ministering. I'm busy because I am constantly in prayer, constantly in motion, thinking of ways to minister inside and outside our community and doing all of them. The problem is that VBS is not a ministry to me, at least not in this area. The churches around here call each other in January to find out which publisher each church is using so that they don't duplicate. They also pull out their calendars and fight over weeks because down here, parents want cheap (yes, we charge for VBS down here because the curriculum is so expensive and so are the tshirts and all the little dodads that go with it) babysitting all summer--every week should be filled with a VBS from somewhere, and it is. June is the Baptists, us, the Church of Christ and the Methodists. July is taken by independence day, the Bible church, the other Baptist church, the nondenominational mega church, etc. It is sickening.
And because it is a well oiled machine, it is the most efficient choice to put a cap on the amount of kids who come--200. It means better security, better organization, better planning. It also means that once Suzie and her little friend Betsy and all their little goldilocks friends pay their tuition with checks clipped together to ensure that they are in groups together, the chairperson/s begins having to turn away neighborhood kids, last minute move ins, kids who are outside the flock and sometimes worse turn away reasons--I've seen it all from churches around here, not just ours. That's not ministry to me, but it's the obvious choice when you're doing one of these kits.
I have a volunteer crew of brilliant, creative women and men, and yes, they run the ship so well that it is flawless year after year, but to me, their brilliance and love of the Lord is lost in the midst of (forgive me using the phrase again) Chuck E Church, and the kids get lost in it, too. But my team is only so big, and we are planning unbelievable ministry opportunities all the time, so I can understand why doing something as simple as Group VBS sounds easy and wonderful.
Two years ago, I worked for a church in Bolingbrook, Il that didn't have the funds for one of these VBS to go boxes. We put our heads together and created our own VBS. It was called Bible stories come to life, and the kids became a part of the Bible stories. They crawled into an ark that we made of crates and pallets and heard the story while a friend of mine and I ran around outside holding up rainbows and blue streamers and spraying the window with water and making fake birds fly. Yeah, it was low budget, but the kids loved it, and every one of them could tell you the story afterward. "Yeah, but it's Noah, you say. " Ok, well we also made a life sized ark of the covenant, created a river in the church hallway with rocks and reeds on the side, had the kids carry the ark down the river and into the temple, etc. We had the kids blow trumpets to crumble the wall of Jericho and on another day, had them sit inside the dark well/pit while looking up at the tiny light in the ceiling and hearing the story of Joseph. This was ministry--this was VBS to me, and I even adapted the idea to create the Fear Not Festival last year, which was astounding because of my volunteers' brilliance and artistry. That is my idea of VBS.
Well, I've rambled on enough, and you hopefully understand my point of view now, and if you don't, well, I can't ramble on anymore. It's not that VBS is bad, it's just another happy meal, and next year, maybe we'll do something more.
Friday, May 25, 2007
forever busy
Ok, sorry I've been gone for forever, but I just haven't had time to blog. I'm training for a marathon, and I'm busy planning summer programs and such.
Just finished the last KidsInC for the year and am planning Super Sloppy Summers. The tshirts came in last week, and they are awesome.
Today we decorated for CLPC zoo, and the tshirts came in for them, as well. I'm really excited about this program, and I think the kids will be, too. Also, I'm piloting a new curriculum for the preschoolers.
We've also got VBS underway (secretly, I hate VBS. I'd put it on a post secret postcard, but the public wouldn't care, I don't think, so I'll just say it here--I HATE VBS or at least what it has become), and so that's a time consumer, and then this weekend, we've got this ubercrazy Pentecost celebration going on, which is cool and multigenerational, but man, it is a lot of work.
And then we're constructing an underwater classroom for children's worship, which is a blast. My deco team is outstanding. I couldn't do my job without them.
Add to that some computer problems, and you see why I haven't blogged.
So can you tell I need a vacation? Yeah, I scheduled a little minibreak for New Orleans, but I'm hoping to get out to DC or to CA for at least a week in July. My year anniversary is June 1, and I haven't had a day off yet, other than my Mondays and an occasional holiday.
Anyway, I hope to be a more faithful blogger. Sorry about that.
Just finished the last KidsInC for the year and am planning Super Sloppy Summers. The tshirts came in last week, and they are awesome.
Today we decorated for CLPC zoo, and the tshirts came in for them, as well. I'm really excited about this program, and I think the kids will be, too. Also, I'm piloting a new curriculum for the preschoolers.
We've also got VBS underway (secretly, I hate VBS. I'd put it on a post secret postcard, but the public wouldn't care, I don't think, so I'll just say it here--I HATE VBS or at least what it has become), and so that's a time consumer, and then this weekend, we've got this ubercrazy Pentecost celebration going on, which is cool and multigenerational, but man, it is a lot of work.
And then we're constructing an underwater classroom for children's worship, which is a blast. My deco team is outstanding. I couldn't do my job without them.
Add to that some computer problems, and you see why I haven't blogged.
So can you tell I need a vacation? Yeah, I scheduled a little minibreak for New Orleans, but I'm hoping to get out to DC or to CA for at least a week in July. My year anniversary is June 1, and I haven't had a day off yet, other than my Mondays and an occasional holiday.
Anyway, I hope to be a more faithful blogger. Sorry about that.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
DC area churches
My elder (and VBS chairperson) and her family are moving to the DC area. Anybody know of some churches with great children's ministry out there? They've got a 1st and 4th grader.
They are Presbyterian, but they might look outside Presbyland. Traditional (stand and sit hymn) services are not their style, btw.
They are Presbyterian, but they might look outside Presbyland. Traditional (stand and sit hymn) services are not their style, btw.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Lock-In
Amazing. That's the word for it. Amazing.
I just looked at the pics today and relived all the fun. We had 10 extra kids from the church (those who normally don't come to KidsInC) and about 5 visitors and then our normal crew. Here are the highlights (remember the theme was friendship):
I just looked at the pics today and relived all the fun. We had 10 extra kids from the church (those who normally don't come to KidsInC) and about 5 visitors and then our normal crew. Here are the highlights (remember the theme was friendship):
- Pizza--we always start with pizza
- I shared pictures of my friends and me throughout the years. The kids loved laughing at my 80s hair and grunge look in the 90s. Plus, one of my friends was able to come and help that night, so I was able to share that friendship story, too.
- encouragement bags--they decorated bags and put their names on them, and we put them in a designated area. Throughout the night, people could write notes of encouragement to each other, and then they'd get to open their bag the next morning at breakfast.
- small group time--making fellowship posters about what it takes for a good friendship; discussion of great friends in the Bible and what held their friendship together
- getting acquainted games--they had a lot of fun with these, and they learned a lot about each other. They were designed so that kids had to get out of their cliques and comfort circles and learn more about everyone. Then they had to pick one person they talked to and write an encouragement note to them.
- small group time--snack sculptures (playing with food; we took pictures and voted on them at breakfast); trust drops and some discussions about trust and some "opening up" questions; writing an encoragement note to someone in their group
- partner games--random games to break them up into partners and then doing a trust walk with their partner down to the gym (one is blindfolded); encouragement note to partner
- large group time--run them until they are about to pass out games. My favorite? Go to the Wall. Yell out, "Everyone who loves ______, go to the wall" and they have to run the length of the gym. They love this, and you can keep them running for as long as you need, AND you can tie it in by talking about how we all have different likes and dislikes and even peer pressure (did you run just because you didn't want to stand without your friends?)
- small group time--playing board games together (Friendzee is a great game)
- lights out--we watched movies until they fell asleep
It was great, and the adults were running right along with them. So much fun! One of my favorite parts was that a visitor became really close friends with another girl that night.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Back in action
I've been down with a hardcore virus (me, not the computer) this past week, but I plan to update soon on the KidsInC lockin and summer plans. Just wanted to check in.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
KidsInC tonight
Well, it didn't go as planned, but it was great! (Isn't that always the way?) We just found out that one of our 1st graders has juvenile diabetes, and her sister (a 4th grader) is in KidsInC. Many of the kids had questions, so I pulled off this great school guide from the juvenile diabetes research foundation. It has a complete series of lesson plans, and we worked through bits and pieces of them tonight while they ate pizza (usually we have table talk topics during this time). This took longer than our usual eating time, but it was well worth it to dispel any myths. One great section of the curriculum involves how to treat people with diabetes (like a friend!) and has some role playing exercises.
Then we played a life sized board game that walked the kids through the journey of Christ to the cross. Basically, it consisted of pieces of colored paper and a few props. Kids threw a giant die and moved (in groups) the number of spaces. When they landed on a plain piece of paper, they each just had to put one foot on the square or they had to go back to the beginning (the Jerusalem City Gate). If they landed on a pink paper, they had to follow the directions on the paper (go ahead 3 spaces, for example). Finally, if they landed on one of the place spaces (the temple, the upper room, Garden of Gethsemane, the Sanhedrin place, Pilate's place, Golgotha, and the tomb) they had to answer a question about the life of Christ. If they got it correct, they continued. If they missed it, the team had to stay on that place space until they answered a question correctly. The team to reach the tomb first and answer a series of questions wins.
The kids had a blast, and it actually took almost an hour to play! So we didn't get to do our tenebrae service, but one of the parents brought homemade hot cross buns, and they decorated them with icing crosses and read the last words of Christ, so though not as solemn, it worked.
Then we played a life sized board game that walked the kids through the journey of Christ to the cross. Basically, it consisted of pieces of colored paper and a few props. Kids threw a giant die and moved (in groups) the number of spaces. When they landed on a plain piece of paper, they each just had to put one foot on the square or they had to go back to the beginning (the Jerusalem City Gate). If they landed on a pink paper, they had to follow the directions on the paper (go ahead 3 spaces, for example). Finally, if they landed on one of the place spaces (the temple, the upper room, Garden of Gethsemane, the Sanhedrin place, Pilate's place, Golgotha, and the tomb) they had to answer a question about the life of Christ. If they got it correct, they continued. If they missed it, the team had to stay on that place space until they answered a question correctly. The team to reach the tomb first and answer a series of questions wins.
The kids had a blast, and it actually took almost an hour to play! So we didn't get to do our tenebrae service, but one of the parents brought homemade hot cross buns, and they decorated them with icing crosses and read the last words of Christ, so though not as solemn, it worked.
Spiritual Gifts
Looking ahead to the fall:
I'm wanting to do a series in the preteen group on spiritual gifts. Anyone know of any good inventories, ideas, curriculum?
I'm wanting to do a series in the preteen group on spiritual gifts. Anyone know of any good inventories, ideas, curriculum?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
KidsInC Lent
Ok, sorry for the 3rd post in a row, but there's a lot going on. In KidsInC (preteen ministry), we've been doing a Lenten series which came from a hodgepodge of places (books, my head, worship planning, etc). One book that has some really good ideas in it is Seasons of Faith by Abingdon Press. I don't use it exclusively but more as a springboard for ideas. It's a great building block.
We've worked on Jesus' baptism and created a "river" for them to put their feet in while we told the story. It was basically a covered wading pool, some water, pebbles, sand, and some fake rocks and plants, but they got the point, and they loved the tactile sensory stuff. We also did the temptation of Jesus, which led into some peer pressure issues, and then Jesus' healing which was nice because we incorporated some activities from the Bo's Place grief seminar and opened up some great discussion in small groups. And today was the Triumphal Entry lesson. The Seasons of Faith book has some great art projects like a mural incorporating all of these lessons and a Lenten Tree which the kids have had fun decorating.
Next week, it's the Cleansing of the Temple to the Crucifixion, and we're ending the time with our version of a Tenebrae service, which I'm very pumped about. And then the following week, we're doing our Easter celebration, and they can't wait for that.
Then we're doing our monthly service project which this time is goodie bags for the confirmands who go before Session that weekend, and then it's time for our retreat which is going to be focused on friendships.
Ok, I should probably go to sleep now, but I'm just psyched. It was a great night with soooo many kids--a little chaotic, but that's always fun!
We've worked on Jesus' baptism and created a "river" for them to put their feet in while we told the story. It was basically a covered wading pool, some water, pebbles, sand, and some fake rocks and plants, but they got the point, and they loved the tactile sensory stuff. We also did the temptation of Jesus, which led into some peer pressure issues, and then Jesus' healing which was nice because we incorporated some activities from the Bo's Place grief seminar and opened up some great discussion in small groups. And today was the Triumphal Entry lesson. The Seasons of Faith book has some great art projects like a mural incorporating all of these lessons and a Lenten Tree which the kids have had fun decorating.
Next week, it's the Cleansing of the Temple to the Crucifixion, and we're ending the time with our version of a Tenebrae service, which I'm very pumped about. And then the following week, we're doing our Easter celebration, and they can't wait for that.
Then we're doing our monthly service project which this time is goodie bags for the confirmands who go before Session that weekend, and then it's time for our retreat which is going to be focused on friendships.
Ok, I should probably go to sleep now, but I'm just psyched. It was a great night with soooo many kids--a little chaotic, but that's always fun!
CW 4 and Palm Sunday
The pilot is finished, and it was a huge hit! I haven't gotten many parent surveys back yet, but the kids' surveys were all positive. In fact, the only suggestions they gave for improvement were for more stations. Yup! When we get more volunteers...though the response for volunteers for this pilot was actually very positive. Whether that will wane when this becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen, however.
Verbal parent feedback was also positive, though there are some funny faces when I tell them that the kids will be in the service for the entire time this weekend and that there won't be any cute processionals--we'll ALL have palms in the pews. I think they'll be pleasantly surprised. Plus, the kids have worked very hard on their leadership roles for worship this weekend; we did a dry run with mics tonight, and it was outstanding. It's the first time in the church (and anywhere else I've seen for that matter) where anyone but the pastors have spoken elements of a sacrament (communion), and that is very, very cool to me. They are leading communion alongside the pastors, saying the Great Thanksgiving and prayers for the people, etc. It's very exciting, and I'm lucky to have such forward thinking and kid loving associates.
Verbal parent feedback was also positive, though there are some funny faces when I tell them that the kids will be in the service for the entire time this weekend and that there won't be any cute processionals--we'll ALL have palms in the pews. I think they'll be pleasantly surprised. Plus, the kids have worked very hard on their leadership roles for worship this weekend; we did a dry run with mics tonight, and it was outstanding. It's the first time in the church (and anywhere else I've seen for that matter) where anyone but the pastors have spoken elements of a sacrament (communion), and that is very, very cool to me. They are leading communion alongside the pastors, saying the Great Thanksgiving and prayers for the people, etc. It's very exciting, and I'm lucky to have such forward thinking and kid loving associates.
Pentecost update
So now the thought is that KidsInC, our midweek preteen program, will illustrate the different aspects of the story of Pentecost, and then we'll scan them and project them on the screen as we tell the story.
We're doing a similar thing for Sunday School this weekend. All grade levels are going to get a different "station of the cross" scripture to illustrate and then hopefully, we'll get to display them in order during Holy Week.
We're doing a similar thing for Sunday School this weekend. All grade levels are going to get a different "station of the cross" scripture to illustrate and then hopefully, we'll get to display them in order during Holy Week.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Pentecost
We're (adult ed and CFM) planning an intergenerational (well at least semi-intergenerational--the youth tend to do their own thing) SS event for Pentecost which will involve the telling of the story and then a bunch of different stations for activities including the following:
- windsocks
- kites
- bubbles
- candles
- cupcake decorating (bday of the church)
- pinwheels
Then, after they make their crafts, we're going outside and flying the kites and such (provided the weather is good). It sounds kind of boring on here because I just hit the highlights, but I think it will be a nice event, and it's cool that adult ed approached me about planning something together! Maybe we'll start breaking down some of the silos after all.
CW2,3
The last two Sundays of the CW pilot have been amazing. Our numbers were a little small last week due to spring break, but I was glad to see several visitors coming back.
What was interesting to me was comments from parents whom I haven't met before who brought their kids back because the kid "really liked it." Let me explain. These kids don't come to Sunday School, which is rotation and supposedly fun filled and action packed. [Personally, though I like rotation SS much better than popsicle stick Jesus SS, I think it lacks something, but that's an issue I can't tackle right now, and I try to supplement the lessons as much as possible.] But they come to the Children's Worship pilot--no curriculum, no "action," no puppets (puppets give me the heeby jeebies anyway), no flashy lights and mesmerization--just pure adoration and worship of God. It's simple, heartfelt, and real, and these kids want to come back for it. I'm amazed and overwhelmingly happy by that. They aren't coming back to CLPC because of what we're giving them. They're coming back because they enjoy worshiping God, and that is just...well, I don't have words for it...indescribable.
The other interesting comment I've heard is from the workers who all say that the kids are more focused and involved than they've ever seen before. Again, so cool bc it's just pure God and not a bunch of smoke and mirrors.
We've done the worship with our hearts and strength, and this weekend is soul, which I'm particularly jazzed about because a group of kids are doing an interpretive dance as the message. They choreographed much of it themselves based upon the music and lyrics, and it is enough to bring you to your knees. And we're even going to have a dance station where they can just freely dance to music. I'm a dancer, though, so it's cool to me. We tried to vary the messages for the pilot: drama, video, discussion circles, and now dance, just to give them a flavor for the many ways to praise God. And we've varied the prayer station, too, last week being rocks that the kids could write their prayers on. Note to CM workers: that was a hit. They really got into that and put them in their gardens or special places when they got home.
We're putting out a survey for the kids and parents this week, so I'll be interested in seeing what they have to say about it.
What was interesting to me was comments from parents whom I haven't met before who brought their kids back because the kid "really liked it." Let me explain. These kids don't come to Sunday School, which is rotation and supposedly fun filled and action packed. [Personally, though I like rotation SS much better than popsicle stick Jesus SS, I think it lacks something, but that's an issue I can't tackle right now, and I try to supplement the lessons as much as possible.] But they come to the Children's Worship pilot--no curriculum, no "action," no puppets (puppets give me the heeby jeebies anyway), no flashy lights and mesmerization--just pure adoration and worship of God. It's simple, heartfelt, and real, and these kids want to come back for it. I'm amazed and overwhelmingly happy by that. They aren't coming back to CLPC because of what we're giving them. They're coming back because they enjoy worshiping God, and that is just...well, I don't have words for it...indescribable.
The other interesting comment I've heard is from the workers who all say that the kids are more focused and involved than they've ever seen before. Again, so cool bc it's just pure God and not a bunch of smoke and mirrors.
We've done the worship with our hearts and strength, and this weekend is soul, which I'm particularly jazzed about because a group of kids are doing an interpretive dance as the message. They choreographed much of it themselves based upon the music and lyrics, and it is enough to bring you to your knees. And we're even going to have a dance station where they can just freely dance to music. I'm a dancer, though, so it's cool to me. We tried to vary the messages for the pilot: drama, video, discussion circles, and now dance, just to give them a flavor for the many ways to praise God. And we've varied the prayer station, too, last week being rocks that the kids could write their prayers on. Note to CM workers: that was a hit. They really got into that and put them in their gardens or special places when they got home.
We're putting out a survey for the kids and parents this week, so I'll be interested in seeing what they have to say about it.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Think God!
Worship Pilot week 1 went well. The theme was "Think God! Worshiping God with your Mind." We had a few technical difficulties at the beginning, but they were soon resolved.
From my perspective, it seemed that the kids were very engaged, particularly because we kept them moving with sign language and movements for many of the creeds and songs. Plus, the more emergent part of the service was very well received. The message for the day was in the form of a drama, and Exalt (the kids' worship team) presented it beautifully.
One of the adult helpers shared her thoughts:
"I was in the break out prayer room with the children. I told the children to write a letter to Jesus either thanking him for everything or telling him a problem or concern they have or anything they want to tell Jesus.
I wasn't trying to read theirs but a couple of the children shared with me. They were so touching I almost cried. One little first grader was writing her letter and wrote to Jesus that she wanted him to take care of her cousin in heaven that had died. Then below that she drew a picture of a tomb with a little boy inside with Jesus holding the little boy and above it was the cross and below the tomb was grass and flowers. But the cross was very large and prominent over the little boy's grave.
Another little girl wrote a long note to Jesus very detailed but I did not read it but below it she drew a large cross and in it she drew Jesus with his hands and feet nailed to the cross and above it she wrote. He died for Me! Then around the cross was a couple of angels. Anyways she spent a long time with lots of detail and I thought it was such a great picture and depicted what Christ did for her and us."
I wasn't trying to read theirs but a couple of the children shared with me. They were so touching I almost cried. One little first grader was writing her letter and wrote to Jesus that she wanted him to take care of her cousin in heaven that had died. Then below that she drew a picture of a tomb with a little boy inside with Jesus holding the little boy and above it was the cross and below the tomb was grass and flowers. But the cross was very large and prominent over the little boy's grave.
Another little girl wrote a long note to Jesus very detailed but I did not read it but below it she drew a large cross and in it she drew Jesus with his hands and feet nailed to the cross and above it she wrote. He died for Me! Then around the cross was a couple of angels. Anyways she spent a long time with lots of detail and I thought it was such a great picture and depicted what Christ did for her and us."
We also had a station with heaps of different types of Bibles from comic book style to a standard NIV. Here's what a volunteer had to say:
"What I liked about Sunday was the reading room. I went in there to see how the kids were doing, and several of them asked me to read a story out of the Bible. They would be looking at all the different versions and pick a story and then I would read it. They would all sit around me (almost cuddle up to me) while I read. It was really nice. And, it was several of them, not just a few and not just my son (I don't even think he asked me to)."
All in all, it didn't go exactly as I had in my head-- a seamless, polished service. I had different plans for music (songs with visual images of nature and unbelievable crosses that the executive assistant put together), but the music department had plans for a large chunk of kids being gone to sing in the main service so to compromise, we had the kids come worship and then sing in our service. The music was very choral/ecclesiastical, but it worked, and it showed another form of leadership through singing in a choir. And that's when I was reminded: this was His service--let go. And I did, and it was amazing.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Ash Wednesday
One more little blurb:
As I mentioned earlier, we did a dry run the week before Ash Wednesday to allow kids to ask questions about Lent, about the service, about the ashes, about the sanctuary--everything! As always, they kept me on my toes with astute questions.
We also talked about the importance of a holy, sacred space, and I encouraged them to find something sacred to them to focus on before they even walked in the sanctuary, to remind them of the holiness (akin to taking shoes off before standing on holy ground). At the service itself many of us sat together (although some kids preferred to sit with their parents), and the kids received ashes. I was moved by their solemnity and the energy they put toward looking up the scripture passages and writing out their sins on the flash paper (later dropped in the urn at the altar).
After it was over, several of the kids came up to me and said, "Ms. Kim, it said on the bulletin to enter in silence, but some of the adults were talking. Don't they know it is a holy place?"
In SS, we've been discussing Jesus calling the children, so I reminded them that Jesus called children examples of the Kingdom of God. What examples they were that night!
As I mentioned earlier, we did a dry run the week before Ash Wednesday to allow kids to ask questions about Lent, about the service, about the ashes, about the sanctuary--everything! As always, they kept me on my toes with astute questions.
We also talked about the importance of a holy, sacred space, and I encouraged them to find something sacred to them to focus on before they even walked in the sanctuary, to remind them of the holiness (akin to taking shoes off before standing on holy ground). At the service itself many of us sat together (although some kids preferred to sit with their parents), and the kids received ashes. I was moved by their solemnity and the energy they put toward looking up the scripture passages and writing out their sins on the flash paper (later dropped in the urn at the altar).
After it was over, several of the kids came up to me and said, "Ms. Kim, it said on the bulletin to enter in silence, but some of the adults were talking. Don't they know it is a holy place?"
In SS, we've been discussing Jesus calling the children, so I reminded them that Jesus called children examples of the Kingdom of God. What examples they were that night!
Pilot starts March 4
It's almost here, the Children's Worship Pilot. We're doing 4 weeks and studying how to worship God with your heart, soul, strength, and mind. We've also got a technology group to put together multimedia presentations.
Also, we've got a children's worship leadership group called Exalt who meet once a week to plan leading worship. They will lead during the pilot and will also lead alongside adults in all three regular Palm Sunday Services.
Ok, more on this later. It's 10:30 and I just got out of Session meeting! I'm probably repeating earlier posts, so forgive me!
Also, we've got a children's worship leadership group called Exalt who meet once a week to plan leading worship. They will lead during the pilot and will also lead alongside adults in all three regular Palm Sunday Services.
Ok, more on this later. It's 10:30 and I just got out of Session meeting! I'm probably repeating earlier posts, so forgive me!
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