Hospitality to Children and Youth by Kim Shockley

 
In my thirty years as a pastor's wife I guess I have heard it all!  My chosen career began as a Christian Educator, although I never served a congregation as a paid staff member.  The best answer for me was consulting within a district or conference, which compounded how much I have really heard!  When lay people are asked about the growth of their congregation, most of them are going to say that they need to reach younger families because "we don't have many children or youth".  I've heard this from many congregations right here in Central Florida!  I've also heard the same folks get grumpy when a family does come to worship, especially if the children are a little noisy or fidgety!  Unfortunately we can't have it both ways!  If we really want children and youth in our churches then we have to make them and their families feel welcomed!
 
I've been privileged to be part of two new churches that instinctively knew how to welcome children and youth.  Both of these congregations knew that what children really want is to belong.  One of these congregations did this by providing snacks that were appropriate and healthy - cut-up fruit and cheese and wrapped granola bars were great for children.  I overheard one youngster say to his mom, "Let's come back to this church, their buffet is great!"  They did come back!
 
Another congregation was able to provide this kind of welcoming and belonging by making "Activity Bags" available in the sanctuary so that kids could quietly entertain themselves during the worship time.  Other churches make relationships important by making sure that the adults that are working with children and youth are trained, cleared according to their policy, and willing to go the extra mile to get to know their students.  When I train Sunday School teachers I encourage them to acknowledge and greet their students when they see them outside of the church.  Kids need to know that they are valued by adults other than their parents!  When you recognize a student and take a minute to talk with them, you are extending God's love to them in such a powerful way! 
 
A testimony gleaned from an older woman at a church (not UM) in the Orlando area really hit home for me.  Their dying small church decided that they needed to change their ministry to attract and engage younger families.  In doing so they completely changed their worship style to be more contemporary and the church started to grow.  When my husband asked her if she liked their new style she replied "No!  But it really wasn't about me, so I love the church we have become!"
 
Let's face it - we have attracted all the folks we are going to attract by doing things the way we are doing them now!  We have to open up, extend our reach, and put the needs of other people who don't yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior ahead of our own!  If you want to get some ideas about how to do this in your community, give me a call or email!  407-896-2230 x 101 or kshockley@flumc.org.  I would love to hear from you!

Grandparents & Me Camp

JFON will be moving its Orlando area immigration clinic to Aloma UMC. A training for new volunteers will be held on Sunday, June 6th from 3:00 - 5:30 pm and the first clinic will be held on June 8. Aloma UMC is starting a new multi-cultural Alpha class and has a conversational English program, so this is a great partnership for the ministries.

 

Volunteers roles needed include help with hospitality, child care, intake interviews and translation. JFON is also seeking an office volunteer to assist with recording all the cases in the data base and other assistance to the attorney.

 

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marilyn Beecher 407-896-2230 x105 mbeecher@flumc.org.