Children's Ministry

Central Texas Conference
Nurture Council
Children’s Ministry
Kay Lancaster
817/274-2571 klancaster@arlingtonmethodist.org

Safe Sanctuaries

Safe Sanctuary Policy

For training model for Safe Sanctuaries, click here.

Worship Reources for Children's Sabbath - This year, the United Methodist Church will observe Children’s Sabbath October 8-10, 2010. Children's Sabbath is an ecumenically celebrated weekend committed to educating the congregation about the state of today’s children and families in America. Children provide leadership through music, sharing of gifts, and reading of scripture. Downloadable resources for this event are available through the Children’s Defense Fund http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/2010-childrens-sabbaths-manual.html . Use an interactive map to find ideas that worked in congregations and communities in 2009 http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs-campaigns/faith-based-action/childrens-sabbaths/interactive-map-2009.html

CREATED BY GOD TRAIN-THE-TRAINER: We are called to "affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God." As United Methodists, we recognize the power of education, especially when we educate those who are in life's transitions. Therefore, human sexuality training for Tweens is vitally important! Arlington First UMC (313 N. Center St., Arlington, 76011 - 817/274-2571) is offering this training September 10 & 11 at a cost of $75. Click here for more information. For questions, contact Kay Lancaster at 817/274-2571 or klancaster@arlingtonmethodist.org or Karen Granderson at 817/877-5222, 800/460-8622 or karen@ctcumc.org.

GBOD – General Board of Discipleship links, resources, information

For resources, links, and information on Children’s Ministry, go to the General Board of Discipleship page, http://www.gbod.org/site/c.nhLRJ2PMKsG/b.3784729/k.C283/Childrens_Ministry.htm.

The Ministry with Young Children Blog has been updated to include the following resources and links:

Children and Grief:

There have been many questions from church leaders concerning children and grief. We know that the quote, “children are resilient” is often used as an excuse for adults not to help children address loss and uncertainty. Along with the resources on my blog, I have become aware of two more resources that leaders in ministry with children and parents may find helpful.

Hello Grief - http://www.hellogrief.org/ is a website that provides helps and resources for parents and guardians of children dealing with grief. There is a section on faith, and there is a page that provides state-by-state resources.

Comfort Zone Camp - http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/ is an actual camp for children to be with other children dealing with grief. Their counselors have lived through the loss of a parent.

Another contact and downloadable resource for your congregations:

http://www.kintera.org/atf/cf/%7B3482e846-598f-460a-b9a7-386734470eda%7D/INTIMEPAINCRISIS.PDF

Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley [First Steps Spirituality Center] reminded me of the importance of keeping children safe on the internet. Safe Sanctuaries goes beyond the brick and mortar of our buildings, so please gently remind leaders to use websites keeping this in mind.

Over the course of the next several months, I will be adding additional resources to this blog and there are ongoing changes on the GBOD Ministry with Children site. I hope that you will take a moment to click on the blog and subscribe to updates.

· Ministry with Children Blog

You may also want to consider subscribing to the monthly newsletter which you can access in two forms – electronically, and a downloadable PDF for teachers and parents.

· Ministry with Children Newsletter

For those of you on Annual Conference staffs, these resources may prove helpful for Children’s Ministers in the local churches!

What is ARK? - The ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Program is a breakthrough parenting and teaching skills course created and presented by The ARKGroup, Inc. (formerly The Children’s Center for Self-Esteem), a Texas non-profit 501 ©(3) corporation. For more information about The ARKGroup, go to their website, http://www.thearkgroup.org/index.html. For their newsletter archives, check out http://www.thearkgroup.org/newsletterarchive.html.

HEARTFELT Newsletter
Take a look at HEARTFELT, the new LOGOS Ministry e-letter, designed for busy families who want to grow body, mind and spirit, and who want support and encouragement.

Each edition will have information for parents and for children around a timely topic, and a session of "Family 'Round the Table" which will include a dinner theme and menu, activities for your family to do together, a Bible study, and a framework for family prayers and worship. You can get to this newsletter and subscribe by clicking http://www.thelogosministry.org/heartfelt.html

A new Family 'round the Table iPhone application is now available from the iTunes store. For just $.99 users can get the entire 156 week library of Family 'round the Table sessions that are highlighted monthly in the Heartfelt Newsletter for parents. Each session provides parents with ideas and information for conducting a fun and spirit-filled activity with their children with an emphasis on faith formation...right at home.

The new application is delivered to users' iPhones as a searchable database and will allow parents to select a session that meets thier specific needs (e.g., menu, activity, Scripture reference, etc.) Family 'round the Table is a ground-breaking iPhone application and is available now at iTunes!

Central Texas Conference
Nurture Council
Children’s Ministry for small churches
Future Solutions Now
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10: 14b (NIV)

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT
1. Do you have 3 people who want to start, improve or revitalize your children’s program?
2. Do you have fewer than 10 children in Sunday school each Sunday?
3. Get those three people to commit to a 2 hour meeting.
4. Call for help.
5. Set up the meeting.
6. Listen
7. Learn
8. Plan
9. Budget
10. Go Forth and do.
11. Call for follow up and troubleshooting.
12. Keep working.
13. Don’t give up or loose hope.

NITTY GRITTY

1. YOU NEED 3 OR MORE CARING COMMITTED ADULTS.
2. YOU NEED WILLINGNESS TO SEARCH BEYOND YOUR DOORS FOR CHILDREN.
3. YOU NEED TO BE WILLING TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU HAVE EVER DONE THEM BEFORE.

HOW TO GET HELP

1. Write down what you have been doing.
2. Write down what you want to do, and any plan you have made to accomplish the task.
3. Submit the plan to Kay Lancaster, 313 N Center, Arlington, TX 76011 or klancaster@arlingtonmethodist.org

4. Get together your 3 or more volunteers and plan a face to face meeting with Kay or another volunteer.
Cost: Free - Travel expenses are paid by your conference Nurture committee.

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world