Following a few days of work in my office, I again “hit the highway” to take part in a spiritual retreat - SOULfeast.  Wow, what a blessing!  Again, surrounded by people who care for the soul and/or in search of care for their souls, I stood in awe!  From the Labyrinth to the plenaries led by the awesome Marjorie Thompson, from the re-connection with former classmates to my own transformation as I led a workshop on “Martha and Mary”*, and from the calmness of Lake Junaluska to the powerful lightening storms above the hills, I left SOULfeast with a renewed sense of why I am in ministry for children.

On returning to my office this week, I realized that FOCUS 2009 - the United Methodist quadrennial event for all people in ministry for children - will begin in less than a year.  My prayer for this event is that participants will come with open hearts and depart with full hearts.  We plan to create an event that will ignite that fire within us to go out an continue God’s work with a new zeal!

Next week, I will once again bring a new topic for your thoughts and response.  Blessings to you, my friends!

peace,
melanie

*Luke 10.38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing.* Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

What makes it so remarkable?  As children, Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White taught all of us what it means to face hatred, racism, and discrimination while finding hope, courage, and determination.  The exhibit includes actual artifacts, live reenactments, and an atmosphere that takes your breath away.  

I encourage you to go to the website, visit the museum, or come to FOCUS 2009 to see how important it is to remember that children are not only our future, they are our present… even the tiny ones!  

www.childrensmuseum.org

Storytelling has been a tradition in many cultures and families for centuries.  Storytelling is also a part of our Christian heritage.  Jesus used storytelling to teach.  Sermons sometimes tell a story.  You may know people who have the gift of storytelling, but for many of us telling a story out loud in front of a sanctuary filled with people or even a small group of people may prove daunting at best.   

One of the ways that we can help children tell their faith stories is by first understanding how each child encounters the world best.  We are all given different gifts, and this includes the way we communicate most effectively.   

For many children, sharing a personal faith story proves overwhelming and daunting.  Many children posses gifts ranging from mathematician to musician to chef.  We all express ourselves in various ways and we must be careful in helping children to share their stories in the arena in which they are most comfortable, for it is here that others connect with them.  Songs, photographs, and charts tell a story.  Movement, nature, and games can also tell a story.  All these gifts are important in this world.   

Ask them these simple questions:

•  
  • Who is God?
  • Who do you love?
  • What makes you smile?
  • What makes you unhappy?
  • Who takes care of you?
  • Who is your favorite person in the Bible?

Help them to find a way to share their stories to others.

Resources:

• Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice by Howard Gardner [Basic Books]
• Storytelling Discoveries: Favorite Activities for Young Tellers by Vivian Dubrovin [Storycraft Publishers]

One thing to remember is that children are born having experienced God.  In Psalm 139, we hear of the inescapable love of God.  From our inception, it is God who “knit [us] together” and who knows our “inward parts”.  It is God whose spirit we cannot flee.  It is God who is present in our most triumphant moments and in the depths of our despair… and children do feel joy and despair in their lives.  So, how does this help us in talking with children about God?     

Sometimes we can find a way to communicate God’s grace through children’s literature.  Recently I read The Runaway Bunny through new eyes - the eyes of the Psalmist!  In this story, familiar to those who care for small children, the baby bunny comes up with all of these scenarios in which he runs away from his mother.  But, no matter where he goes or what he becomes, his mother assures him that she will run after him.  She is present for him in a way that children understand.  Eventually, the bunny decides to stay right there in the arms of his mother.

What are some the ways that you talk to children about God?

Resources:

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

The Spiritual Life of Children by Robert Coles

Where Does God Live by Gellman and Hartman

Psalm 139

During the course of my visit, I observed and chatted with three-to-five-year-olds who only wanted to know two things about me – Who are you?  Why are you here?  Once they were satisfied with my answers, they either went about their business or shared with me descriptions of what they were doing.  I began thinking about their two questions.  Simple, but profound questions from people so young.   

These questions are critical, not only in our journey through life, but for those of us who work in children’s ministries it is important for us to know who we are and why we do what we do.  What is our identity as Christians?  Why do we teach young children?  By knowing the answers, the children that we serve will be better equipped to answer these questions for themselves as they transition from child to youth to adult. So I ask you… Who are you?  Why are you here?     

Resources:

Galatians 3.23 - 4.4 Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

How to Make Every Child Feel Valued [downloadable]     

Whether we are looking for ways to “keep the peace” at home, in the toddler room, or at children’s church, it’s not always going to be peaceful.  Yes, there is a time for quiet reflection, and we need to create a space for that to take place.  But, children are naturally curious and loud and playful, and let’s face it, wouldn’t we all like to be uninhibited enough to laugh from our guts or say out loud “that isn’t fair” anytime we are inclined?   

I believe what we need to remember about discipline is what it means to be a disciple.  A disciple is one who follows one who he or she believes to be wise.  As Christians we strive to follow the teachings of Christ, and our children are entrusted to us to lead them in the ways of Christ.  “…Bring [the children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” – Ephesians 6.4b 

There are ways of setting the tone during the week and on Sunday morning:

•Show Children Love
•Set Age Appropriate Boundaries and Expectations
•Lead by Example
•Respect Children’s Feelings
•Be Consistent and Fair

Do you have any specific ways that you teach self-control in your ministry with children?

Resources:

Web Article: 
“Teaching Your Child Discipline and Self-Control” from Zero to Three

Book for Teachers: 
Let There Be Peace in the Classroom by Jenni Douglas Duncan 

Books for Young Children:
Today I Feel Silly & Other MOODS That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I began to think about how our youngest children are coping with the absence of a parent in harm’s way.  What we need to remember is that children, even infants are complex individuals who experience the world deeply through their senses.  The absence of someone that they love genuinely impacts them, and how they encounter the world.  We, in the church, can help children by remaining a constant and caring presence in their lives, providing opportunities for the children to talk about what they are feeling, and reminding them through our words and actions that God is in the midst of all that happens in the world.   

In what ways does your church reach out to military families?

Helpful Resources: 

My Red Balloon by Eve Bunting

While You Are Away by Eileen Spinelli

Little Listeners in an Uncertain World from Zero to Three

This blog exists to support those who care for and care about younger children [0-5] and their formation.  My hope is that this will be an opportunity for learning, teaching, and sharing in a way that glorifies God.  Some entries will contain information on the newest research in child development, some will focus on resources for Sunday school and weekday programs, and others will contain stories of triumphs and challenges in forming our children.  Each will end with a question to ponder, and I welcome your comments and feedback. 

Adoption

Recently I corresponded with several people in children’s ministries on creative and faithful ways to welcome newborns into the church family - not to be confused with Holy Baptism.  But Sue Kamm reminded me of the importance of including adopted children in our recognition of new parents.  In The Gospel According to John and in Paul’s writings, we see the gift of adoption.  

Ephesians 1.3-6 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

In the United Methodist Book of Worship you will find an Order of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child.  This emphasizes the importance of not only welcoming newborns, but also children adopted into a family, for we are all adopted children of God.   Please comment if you have any practices in your church community that welcome adopted children, who are not always newborns, and foster children, who are sometimes in the community for only a short while.

(more…)