First Christian Church of Medina, Ohio

Education (Kim Porter)

FAMILY of GOD SUNDAYS ~ Kim Porter, Director of Christian Education

In an article by Julianne Winkler Smith entitled "A Church Made for Kids" Julianne says, "Nothing will more quickly elicit an 'I'm bored!' than an hour or two of sitting in pews with all the grown-ups."  But think about it…if a worship service is all about "shhh" and "sit still" and "don't do that" it will be boring to a child!

If we take children out of worship when they're little and invite them back in when they're twelve. what are our children and youth learning about worship?  Do children generally feel welcome in worship?  Are children's giggles, wiggles, and whispers welcome or are they seen as a hindrance to "our" worship?  Is it all about "me time" or "we time"?

Offering "Children's Moment" in worship helps to subtly convey to visitors that we value children at our church - and that's a GREAT thing!  The children get used to being in front of the congregation - preparing them for participation in the worship as a pastor, choir member, etc.; they learn to focus on the person they should be listening to in the midst of distractions (kind of like life); and they look forward to "their time" when they are a participating part of a scripture dialogue and prayer!

On "fifth Sundays" or special church celebration Sundays when we worship as a Family of God,, take a deep breath and remember what we're doing and why.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them..."…especially when it comes to worshiping as the family of God.

DO YOU HAVE…?

(No, we're not playing "Go Fish!")

Do any of you have a small, cube-shaped refrigerator (dorm-size) that you can give the church to use in the Nursery?  It would be GREAT to have one in there to keep bottles cold.  If you have one that is in good working condition and it needs a new home at the church, see/call /email Kim Porter (330-421-8650).

MULTI-MEDIA BORROWING OPPORTUNITY

The Christian Church in Ohio (Disciple of Christ) offers individual Disciples churches discounted memberships with the East Ohio Conference (United Methodist Church) Media Center. 

FCC - Medina is a member of the Media Center (at the bargain price of $55.00 for the year) and, because of that, our church has the chance to reserve and borrow any of the Media Center's 3000+ resources.  This is a GREAT chance to practice good stewardship of resources!

The Media Center's resource collection includes individual videos, video curriculum, CD's, audio tapes, kits, and slides.  Ray Roberts, Media Specialist, makes sure that all resources from the Media Center are cleared for public performance (many videos do not have those performance rights).  To talk to Ray Roberts by phone at the Media Center call 1-800-831-3972, extension 139.  Resources are distributed to churches through the mail or (for an extra fee) through U.P.S. - or they can be just be picked up at the center! The Media Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and welcomes visitors and browsers!  Kim Porter, our D.C.E., also works still works occasionally as a Media Assistant there - so she can show you around the resources if you'd like to take a "field trip"!  A catalog is available in paper form or as a CD-ROM. 

The Media Center is located at 8800 Cleveland Ave. NW, North Canton, Ohio.  For more basic information on the Media Center go to www.eocumc.com and click on "Media Center", or write Ray Roberts at ray@eocumc.com if you have any questions.

THINK SUMMER!  THINK CHURCH CAMP! - Shelley Prandi

The snow is falling but it's never too early to think about summer fun!  Each year more of our youth and elementary aged kids are discovering what a great experience church camp can be.  Over the next few months, we will hear about some of those experiences and have the opportunity to encourage and support this year's campers.  Below is a list of camp opportunities and the dates.  More information will follow as it is received.  Shelley Prandi is your Camp Ministry Opportunity Coordinator this year and you may contact her with any questions 330-725-3511 or mprandi@zoominternet.net.

•  Grandparent Camp  June 6 & 7 Children entering grades 1 & 2

•  Partnership Camp    June 15 - 21  Elementary students that have completed 3, 4, and 5th grade

•  Chi Rho Camp  July 6 - 12   Middle School students that have completed 6, 7, and 8th grade

•  CYF Camp  June 22 - 28  High School students that have completed 9, 10, 11 and 12th grade

•  Advance Conference  August 10-17  Anyone ages 19-29 yrs. old (at least one year out of high school)

•  Camp Good Hope (Bereavement Camp)  Dates to be determined.

*The above Camps are all held at Camp Christian, Magnetic Springs

• Adult Conference June 16-20  for adults of all ages.  Northwest Christian Church, Columbus

• Boat Stories of the Bible! (Canoe Camp)  July 6-12  anyone high school through adult.  Au Sable River in Michigan

• And, our newest camp offering, FCC Mini-Camp for K-2nd Grade, will be back by popular demand.  Watch the Newsletter for the dates, times, etc.

A WORD TO YOUNG PARENTS

Children are a gift from God—but they don’t come with manuals or instructions. Here are words of wisdom for new mothers and fathers to consider as they embark on the life journey of raising children.

See the end in the beginning. Children don’t come with blue-prints, so we don’t know what personalities they’ll have as adults. But if you look closely, almost from the beginning you can see character traits and disposition clues that your children will carry with them into adulthood. Encourage the good you see, and minimize the negative—starting now.

Be intentional. Prayerfully develop a deliberate plan for your part in raising a faithful generation—the sooner the better! Map it out on paper and share it with someone who’ll hold you accountable. Seek out partnerships with those in your Christian community who’ll assist and support you.

Establish spiritual routines. We pay a lot of attention to what’s good for children’s physical well-being. Fastening seatbelts and brushing teeth are just two habits we carefully develop. Why should their spiritual habits be less important?

Decide on the spiritual routines you want to instill in your children, such as praying daily, singing hymns, reading the Bible, and serving. Establishing spiritual routines helps guide your kids into spiritual well-being.

Walk your talk. Model the things you hope to develop in your children. When you sin, admit it and seek forgiveness. Let your children watch you grow in your faith, even as you struggle with issues. Let them see by your actions as well as your words how they can grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus.

Make prayer a priority. The greatest gift you can give your family is the regular practice of intercessory prayer. Listen to God and intercede on behalf of each of your children. Draw kids into prayer times. Broaden your family’s concerns until your prayers encompass the entire world.

Be wise stewards of their lives, but never take ownership. From the beginning, yield the authority in your kids’ lives to God. They’re temporarily “on loan” to you. Ultimately children belong to God, so teach them to trust and obey God—wherever he may lead them.

Nancy Tichy—Riverside, California “O.K. to Copy” © 2003 Children’s Ministry Magazine, P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539-0481

Last modified: 04/13/08

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