Quarterly, the Christian Formation Group meets to swap ideas for family ministry. Below you will find ideas from their January meeting focusing on the season of Lent.
Kathryn and Sara from Redeemer-Waverly
Redeemer does a Rotation Model Sunday School that has been written to meet their needs. Kathryn shared information about the “Last Supper Rotation” for 2-5th grade they have done in the past. They have five stations that focus on different activities.
“The Arcade”-learning games
Bible Jeopardy Take a heavy shower curtain with ziplock bags taped on with packing tape.
Tic Tac Toe
“Solid Rock Productions”-Recreation
Bowling
“Creation Station”
Arts and Crafts
“Computer Station”
Computers donated by members with software for kids to play on
“Cinema on the Mount”
Puppets, dramas, and skits
They also shared some other activities that they had done during Lent.
• Hosted a Sader Supper-presided over by a Rabbi
• Reenactment of the Last Supper
• Sunday Software
• Eastern WI Synod-swap lessons (http://www.feautor.org/en )
Bev and Diane from Zion-West Union
Shared they had made Bulletin Inserts on half sheets of paper. There was clip art printed and given to kids to be colored. The inserts were placed in bulletins throughout lent. People were encouraged to place the art on their fringes at home.
They host a Christian Ed Sunday in May-All classes present something from what they have been working on all year. .
• Sing the books of the Bible
• Preschool- Table prayer
• K -1 Lords prayer
• 3-4 Ten Commandments
• 5-6 Apostles Creed
Lisa from First in Cresco shared:
Resources she had found at the Congregational Resource Center in Clear Lake (www.lutheranresourcecenter.org )
• Before and After Easter by Debbie Tafton O Neal
o Lenten Candle Cross
She has found Creative Communications for the Parish a valuable resource. They purchase Lenten calendars that families can use during Lent (or advent) ( www.creativecommunications.com )
Lisa shared some Ways to Celebrate Lent and Holy Week that she encourages others to use and has used with her own family-
• Decorate for Holy Week-
Palm Sunday-Palm Leaf from the Worship service
Maundy Thursday-Challis and bread
Good Friday-Cross
Easter-Butterflies
Veggie Tales Easter Carol-Fun video to be used during the season. (www.bigidea.com) Also have event kits for movies/DVD’s that are being released.
Paul from St. Paul, Waverly shared:
Kinderlent/kinderadvent- family friendly service aimed at small children held at 5:30 and lasts for 25 minutes max.
• 6 services during Lent-4 services during Advent
• Songs
• Children’s message
• Something to take home/work on
• Puzzle create a piece a night scripture, artsy activity
• Cross made out of heavy paper-family tapes together
They are working on forming a Mime drama team-
Teresa from Bethlehem shared some information about a Mission Trip to Minneapolis she is planning this summer for middle schoolers.
A possible worksite is: Mary’s Place-Minneapolis more information can be found at www.sharingandcaringhands.org
Other resources are:
www.30minuteseder.org downloadable resource to learn more about the Seder meal. Cost involved
Elayne from St. John in Nashua did a Lenten Fair last year. It was a family oriented event that was done during the Learning Hour on Sunday Morning. There were booths/tables that Sunday School Classes rotated to. If you want to use a Marti Gras theme, you should schedule the Lenten Fair before Lent. The following are some examples of the activities that have been tried and are successful:
• “Prayer placemats” that can be colored with markers and decorated with stickers. There was a small booklet with meal time prayers that went with it.
• “plant a seed”- planted a seed to watch it grow
• “butterflies”- made from tissue paper and clothes pins. The kids made the butterflies and then wrapped them with a strip of paper with the words from II Corinthians 5:17 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.” Then the butterflies were wrapped in a small brown bag and sealed with a label that said “do not open until Easter” They were encouraged to open them on Easter morning.
• Cross necklace made out of beads and string.
• Pretzels-premade pretzels that were snacks
• Fish pond- (no connection to Easter, but nicely cleaned out the directors supply closet)
• Guess the number of eggs in the jar. Prize for the person guessing the closest without going over
• Information tables about camp and family ministry
• Past activities have been:
• ID cards
• Pancakes
• Decorate a cookie or cupcake
• Witness bracelets’
• Easter in an Egg-Plastic egg filled with symbols for Easter
• Kings Cake-joyful celebration from Marti Gras- Part of the fun is finding the baby Jesus in the cake that is very similar to a cinnamon roll/braid. There are many recipies available on line but this link will take you to a simplified version and some background of Marti Gras that is tied to Epiphany. http://www.holidays.net/mardigras/cake.htm Cakes are also available at local grocery stores but must be ordered in advance or they will not come before Ash Wednesday. From the standpoint of the traditional use, It would be inappropriate to have King’s Cake during Lent.
• Music and Decorations reflecting the season
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
LYO Hunger Challenge and LYO Assembly
Dear Partners in Ministry,
At the 2009 Synod Assembly we affirmed our support for the fight against hunger being made by the ELCA Hunger Appeal. The Northeastern Iowa Synod's Lutheran Youth Organization would like to support this effort by offering the annual Hunger Challenge to congregations and especially their youth.
The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday .
All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds (per member) will be presented a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts.
By the way...the 17th Annual LYO Assembly is almost here:
March 13-14, 2010
Grand River Center
Dubuque, Iowa
Sponsored by:
Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA with help from Lutheran Services of Iowa
The event will include Worship, a "poverty Simulation" hosted by LSI, improv and music hosted by outdoor ministry staff, and great food.
Registration Information:
Each Congregation must pre-register for the Assembly by submitting the
LYO Assembly Congregation Registration Form (pdf)
by March 5, 2010 at a cost of $60 per participant.
Hotel Reservation:
Each Congregation should make its own housing reservations at the
Grand Harbor Hotel
a registration for the "LYO Assembly."
LYO Assembly Menu:
Lunch
Traditional and Vegetarian Lasagna served with Garlic Bread Sticks, House Salad, Season Vegetables, Rolls, Butter, Dessert and Iced Tea & Coffee
Dinner Buffet
Mixed Greens with Diced Tomatoes, Y Diced Scallions, Spice Ranch Dressing, Beef Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Chef's Sizzling Cooked to Order Fajita Bar Including: Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Onions, Peppers, Flour Tortillas, Shredded Lettuce, Dice Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo and Guacamole with Iced Tea.
Breakfast
Choice of Chilled Juice, Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, fresh pastries and coffee
At the 2009 Synod Assembly we affirmed our support for the fight against hunger being made by the ELCA Hunger Appeal
The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday
All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds (per member) will be presented a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts.
By the way...the 17th Annual LYO Assembly is almost here:
March 13-14, 2010
Grand River Center
Dubuque, Iowa
Sponsored by:
Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA with help from Lutheran Services of Iowa
The event will include Worship, a "poverty Simulation" hosted by LSI, improv and music hosted by outdoor ministry staff, and great food.
Registration Information:
Each Congregation must pre-register for the Assembly by submitting the
LYO Assembly Congregation Registration Form (pdf)
by March 5, 2010 at a cost of $60 per participant.
Hotel Reservation:
Each Congregation should make its own housing reservations at the
Grand Harbor Hotel
a registration for the "LYO Assembly."
LYO Assembly Menu:
Lunch
Traditional and Vegetarian Lasagna served with Garlic Bread Sticks, House Salad, Season Vegetables, Rolls, Butter, Dessert and Iced Tea & Coffee
Dinner Buffet
Mixed Greens with Diced Tomatoes, Y Diced Scallions, Spice Ranch Dressing, Beef Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Chef's Sizzling Cooked to Order Fajita Bar Including: Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Onions, Peppers, Flour Tortillas, Shredded Lettuce, Dice Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo and Guacamole with Iced Tea.
Breakfast
Choice of Chilled Juice, Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, fresh pastries and coffee
How you can help in Haiti
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Individuals and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed more than $1.2 million to fund relief efforts of ELCA partner organizations working on the ground in Haiti, said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, in a Jan. 19 conference call.
Malpica Padilla said the figure includes gifts sent to the ELCA through the Web and those contributed by callers using credit cards. Checks that have been sent to the ELCA are not yet included in the total, he said.
"We anticipate we are close to $2 million," he said.
Funds sent to the ELCA are being channeled through three partner organizations for earthquake relief in Haiti, said Malpica Padilla. Recipients include:
+ The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, working through Action by Churches Together to provide shelter for people left homeless by the earthquake
+ Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, providing material aid such as hygiene kits and materials to be used to care for babies
+ Church World Service, New York, for construction of temporary water systems and distribution of water purification materials
Financial contributions to support relief efforts in Haiti can be made at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or by calling 800-638-3522.
100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Malpica Padilla said the figure includes gifts sent to the ELCA through the Web and those contributed by callers using credit cards. Checks that have been sent to the ELCA are not yet included in the total, he said.
"We anticipate we are close to $2 million," he said.
Funds sent to the ELCA are being channeled through three partner organizations for earthquake relief in Haiti, said Malpica Padilla. Recipients include:
+ The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, working through Action by Churches Together to provide shelter for people left homeless by the earthquake
+ Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, providing material aid such as hygiene kits and materials to be used to care for babies
+ Church World Service, New York, for construction of temporary water systems and distribution of water purification materials
Financial contributions to support relief efforts in Haiti can be made at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or by calling 800-638-3522.
100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Planet Wisdom Conference
From Mark Beard at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa.
I am not sure if you know of the Planet Wisdom Conference that happens across the country each year. This year their convention theme is based on the last 14 hours of Jesus' life before the cross. They call the convention "A Walk with Christ To The Cross". I have taken my high school youth group to Minnesota to this event for the past four years. It was a great event with over 2400 people attending. The Skit Guys and the band Dutton along with Mark Matlock (Planet Wisdom) and radio personality Dawson McAllister work and perform together for this high power weekend. It was a great experience as my youth and the adult leaders were in deep discussion throughout the weekend.
Well now to my point. On Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th, theevent will be presented live via satellite. This event is a community wide outreach and discipleship event that will be shown in a theatre in Dubuque. This is the first of a year full of events that I plan to present. I hope that you can bring some of the youth and their friends. This is a Friday night and Saturday day event. For those of you that need a place to stay on Friday night, you can use the youth house at St. Peter to crash. I just ask that you have at least one adult leader that will stay. This message is already long enough so I have attached information and promotional information. Because Northeastern Iowa Synod rocks! - if you order tickets before January 25, contact me and mention the code word MEB and the cost per ticket will be only $15.80 with one ticket free (for leaders) for every ten tickets purchased. Hope you can make it to this great and worhshipful event.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
2010 Hunger Challenge
At the 2009 Synod Assembly we affirmed our support for the fight against hunger being made by the ELCA Hunger Appeal www.elca.org/hunger The Northeastern Iowa Synod's Lutheran Youth Organizationwww.neiasynod.org/youth (LYO) would like to support this effort by offering it's annual Hunger Challenge to congregations and especially their youth.
The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday" on Feb 7 http://souperbowl.org. In addition, the LYO Board has many resources available on the web page
www.neiasynod.org/youth/hunger.asp
All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds, per member, will be presented with a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts
To help the board be efficient please send us an email to let us know you have accepted the challenge. You can email Pastor Mark Anderson at andersonm@neiasynod.org to accept the challenge!
The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday" on Feb 7 http://souperbowl.org. In addition, the LYO Board has many resources available on the web page
www.neiasynod.org/youth/hunger.asp
All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds, per member, will be presented with a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts
To help the board be efficient please send us an email to let us know you have accepted the challenge. You can email Pastor Mark Anderson at andersonm@neiasynod.org to accept the challenge!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Book Review
This is a book review from Mark Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop.
Book Review
After The Baby Boomers: How Twenty-and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion by Robert Wuthnow, published by Princeton University Press in 2007. $28.00 at Amazon - See page.
Wuthnow begins by asserting his dislike for material based on anecdotes or interviews and not on scientific research. He follows through by making 80% of his work read like a dissertation with references to hundreds of studies complete with charts and graphs. If you like this kind of detailed analysis the middle of the book is for you. Otherwise the first and last chapter contain the material which is urgent to the Christian Church.
Even on page 1 we are shocked when Wuthnow states that "Babyboomers are no longer the future of American religion, As they grow older, they are rapidly becoming its past." He looks to the Baby Boomers as becoming "high-maintenance members" while resisting chance and lamenting that the church is not as good as it used to be. In the day of the Baby Boomers young people stayed in their town or neighborhood, married their high school sweetheart, by age 21 they had already started their careers had their first of several children. In this paradigm it made sense to have confirmation at age 16, youth group until high school graduation and expect young adults to fall into women's groups, men's groups, join choirs, and teach Sunday School.
In the 21st Century, young adults, between the ages of 21-45, make up not the future but are already a significant part of the population at over 100 million members. However, many will not start their careers until they are 28, will not marry until they are 26. In fact, many people are not settled down into a home, marriage and family until much later in life. This has created a group of "young adults" who single, have no children, are facing economic uncertainty, live far away from their families and are often lonely. So when the congregation is putting most of its efforts into children and elderly it is oblivious to the large numbers of absent young adults.
After 200 pages of reviewing the latest facts and figures the author gets around the answering the question how to make a congregation attractive to young adults? First, what does not work: 1) a lively high school group does not mean the congregation will have a lively young adult ministry; 2) contemporary worship and projection is the preference of 40-45 year olds but 21-29 think "church should feel like church" or as Wuthnow puts it "the "so-called seeker services that were geared toward people who disliked church are not passe;" and 3) megechurches do NOT draw young people more than mini- churches.
On the other hand, congregations which have at least 35% of worshippers who are between the ages of 21-35 have these characteristics in common:
There are young adults in the population of the community
There are other young adults in the congregation. Note that one pastor commented "What young people at my church dislike more than anything else is sitting alone."
Worship includes a choir, silent prayer of meditation, and a time for people to meet and greet each other, and there was a written order of service or program
The congregation would also welcome concerts, art festivals, poetry readings, and opportunities to discuss literature, music, and art.
Classes in Bible study but also parenting, financial management, and groups for single adults
Service projects and mission trips
In short, this book points out that congregations offer a surround-sound of ministries for people ages 0-21 and then nothing until they are shut-ins. "Yet nearly all the major decision a person has to make about marriage, child rearing, and work happen after the support systems have ceased to function.
-Mark A. Anderson
Book Review
After The Baby Boomers: How Twenty-and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion by Robert Wuthnow, published by Princeton University Press in 2007. $28.00 at Amazon - See page.
Wuthnow begins by asserting his dislike for material based on anecdotes or interviews and not on scientific research. He follows through by making 80% of his work read like a dissertation with references to hundreds of studies complete with charts and graphs. If you like this kind of detailed analysis the middle of the book is for you. Otherwise the first and last chapter contain the material which is urgent to the Christian Church.
Even on page 1 we are shocked when Wuthnow states that "Babyboomers are no longer the future of American religion, As they grow older, they are rapidly becoming its past." He looks to the Baby Boomers as becoming "high-maintenance members" while resisting chance and lamenting that the church is not as good as it used to be. In the day of the Baby Boomers young people stayed in their town or neighborhood, married their high school sweetheart, by age 21 they had already started their careers had their first of several children. In this paradigm it made sense to have confirmation at age 16, youth group until high school graduation and expect young adults to fall into women's groups, men's groups, join choirs, and teach Sunday School.
In the 21st Century, young adults, between the ages of 21-45, make up not the future but are already a significant part of the population at over 100 million members. However, many will not start their careers until they are 28, will not marry until they are 26. In fact, many people are not settled down into a home, marriage and family until much later in life. This has created a group of "young adults" who single, have no children, are facing economic uncertainty, live far away from their families and are often lonely. So when the congregation is putting most of its efforts into children and elderly it is oblivious to the large numbers of absent young adults.
After 200 pages of reviewing the latest facts and figures the author gets around the answering the question how to make a congregation attractive to young adults? First, what does not work: 1) a lively high school group does not mean the congregation will have a lively young adult ministry; 2) contemporary worship and projection is the preference of 40-45 year olds but 21-29 think "church should feel like church" or as Wuthnow puts it "the "so-called seeker services that were geared toward people who disliked church are not passe;" and 3) megechurches do NOT draw young people more than mini- churches.
On the other hand, congregations which have at least 35% of worshippers who are between the ages of 21-35 have these characteristics in common:
There are young adults in the population of the community
There are other young adults in the congregation. Note that one pastor commented "What young people at my church dislike more than anything else is sitting alone."
Worship includes a choir, silent prayer of meditation, and a time for people to meet and greet each other, and there was a written order of service or program
The congregation would also welcome concerts, art festivals, poetry readings, and opportunities to discuss literature, music, and art.
Classes in Bible study but also parenting, financial management, and groups for single adults
Service projects and mission trips
In short, this book points out that congregations offer a surround-sound of ministries for people ages 0-21 and then nothing until they are shut-ins. "Yet nearly all the major decision a person has to make about marriage, child rearing, and work happen after the support systems have ceased to function.
-Mark A. Anderson
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