by Karen Rocco | Sep 2, 2016 | Children, Faith
We have all heard the statements “Step outside your comfort zone”, “Think outside the box”, “Lend your gifts and talents”. I know many of us have followed some of these at one time or another. When it comes to ministry to children, John Wesley had his own take on these. Wesley believed that ministry to children was very important. Although he believed we all have gifts and we are to “eagerly, desire, seek and pray for these gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31), we are also reminded that the greatest gifts are those that build others up. Wesley revealed “That’s not my gift” for what it often is…a nice Christian way of saying, “Go find someone else.” He said that if we are no good at ministering to children, we are to keep getting better by practice and we are to pray for greater gifts in this area.
Christopher Miles Ritter gave a great example in the book he wrote Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to do for Kids. “I often think of my Grandma Virginia, who worked assembling aircraft in the early 1940’s. Her training and gifts were in home economics, not riveting. Why did she involve herself in such an ill-suited job? A war was on. The need was urgent. The workers were few. She jumped in, did what she could, and got better as she went along. I think this is the spirit in which Wesley called (Methodists) to instruct the young. The task is too large and urgent to restrict it to the equipped, the gifted, or even the willing.”
I feel the need is urgent, the workers are few and there is a type of war raging within this world that future generations are ill equipped to handle the way God intended them to. We, as a congregation, need to step outside our comfort zone to guide these children in the direction that is just, right and true. Our future, and the future of generations to come, depend on it.
James 3:17 says: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if we all took this to heart and used it in our daily lives?
Please join me and “step outside” on August 14, after service in room 200, to see how you can help lead the children of this church on the path God has laid out for them.
(Originally published July 25, 2016)
by Karen Rocco | Sep 2, 2016 | Children
AMAZING is all I can say about the start of VBS! The kids are Catching the Wave of God’s Amazing Love at the Surf Shack to see what God does. What can’t God do? NOTHING!!! Everything is possible with God’s help. I know because VBS would have never come together without the talent that God sent! I am so thankful for everyone that is helping this week, helped before this week and will stay late on Friday to take it all down. From a lifeguard that leads, to the assembly crew that is so excited to spread the word and the station workers that guide the kids through stories, snacks, missions, experiments and games, how can you not have an AMAZING week! Not only are we finding out what God does, but also what we can do for others. Join us in donating to the Battered Women’s Shelter. We are accepting monetary donations as well as paper products, NEW underwear in child and adult sizes, OTC medication, cleaning supplies and NEW stuffed animals. These can be dropped off at church all week. Let’s extend a comforting hand to those who need it. One remark, overheard the first day, says it all, “I feel like I am at the beach!” Come catch the wave!!!!
(Originally published June 23, 2016)
by Cathy Schindler | Sep 1, 2016 | Children
Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
In May I remembered that Jesus found joy in the faces of children. He learned from them. I found joy in Trey’s excitement when I was in a wheelchair and he could hitch a ride. I forgot my troubles and concentrated on the positive. Be patient. Slow down. Heal. Smile. Message received.
(Originally published June 14, 2016)
by Karen Rocco | Aug 18, 2016 | Children, Youth
What an honor it has been to be the Director of Christian Education for the past 4 years! Although I concentrate on what I can do to educate children on their faith journey, I am always in awe about what I learn from them.
The Arise class took on the challenge of planning and holding a bake sale to benefit the 3Cs. Not only did they take time to bake, they also invited the prek-6th grade Sunday School class to join them in the dipping of items in chocolate. I know what it is like to have one child that age join me for for baking, much less six! My congratulations on their courage for taking this on! Not only did the kids help dip, they also were able to draw a picture representing the 3Cs that were added to the display board at the sale.
I brought my two grandsons to church that morning and they helped with the project. The following Tuesday, Logan was spending the afternoon with me and we started talking about the bake sale. I asked him if there was anything he wanted me to get at the sale, since I knew he wouldn’t be there. His reply, “Some of those dipped oreos because they looked delicious!”
Then he asked me if I knew what the 3Cs stood for. I decided to play dumb, which being around a 7 year old seems to happen naturally, and asked him to tell me. Logan went on to explain what the 3Cs are; Churches, Clinics, Classrooms. Logan touched base about each one and where they are located, “in Africa and somewhere else.” (They are in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Zimbabwa and Russia) Again, I was in awe of how much I learned and how much he remembered.
The Arise class, reaching out with this project, left a lasting impression on Logan, and I am sure, the other kids as well. The last thing Logan told me was “Make sure you leave some money because they need all they can get!”
Thanks to the Arise class for planning the bake sale and to everyone for their support of this important outreach mission!
(originally published June 1, 2016)
