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October 2020

A crisis situation like a global pandemic can make us freeze in place or get stuck in the old ways of doing things. When COVID-19 curbed the ability to meet face-to-face, many churches tried hard to pivot to a virtual environment. Then this summer, many children’s ministry directors spent countless hours and significant time figuring out how to reenter ministry amid many precautions and regulations.

But now, six months into this different way of living, maybe we need to stop standing in place and take the opportunity to move forward and expand our ministry understandings. For starters, maybe you have always wanted to explore a new idea or learn something new about ministry with children. Are you in need of some time with other ministry leaders to brainstorm and talk over new (or old) ideas? Maybe you want to dive deeper into a specific area of ministry to think through the challenges you face and rework these challenges into solutions.

This issue of the Children’s Ministry Newsletter is full of opportunities occurring this fall and winter for training, learning, coming together, and exploring new ideas. Let’s take advantage of this global pandemic and dive deeper into some new training!

Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference

This year, the Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020. This conference will be an interactive online conference, complete with access to more than 40 workshops, ministry resources, and opportunities to connect with other ministry leaders. FFM’s Children’s Ministry Catalyzer, Mimi Larson, will be leading a workshop in one/some of the many tracks designed to equip and inspire anyone who is passionate about ministry with children. Check out wycliffcollege.ca/tcmc to register for the conference and to learn more.

Engaging Children in the Worshiping Community

Have you ever asked yourself how you might more fully involve children in worship? Our friends at Vibrant Faith are offering a free webinar on Tuesday, October 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (EST) to explore how children make meaning of their worship experiences and the various ways we can engage children in worship, creating an intergenerational community of worshipers. Faith Formation Ministries’ Children’s Ministry Catalyzer, Mimi Larson, will be the presenter.

You can sign up for the workshop here.

Vibrant Faith Masterclasses

his year, the folks at Vibrant Faith are offering a plethora of training experiences, including Masterclasses. These short-term training events vary in topic, include two 90-minute sessions, and only cost $60 (USD) per class or $249 for a “season pass” that allows you to access as many classes as you wish between now and December. For more information, check out vibrantfaith.org/training/masterclass.

Children’s Ministry Virtual Meet-Ups

Would you like to connect with other children’s ministry leaders and share ministry ideas? Do you have ministry questions or challenges that could benefit from the input of your peers? Join us each month for Children’s Ministry Virtual Meet-Ups! These gatherings are a time of sharing, creative brainstorming, and checking in with one another. The upcoming dates include November 17 and December 15. Time is 3:00 p.m EST (2:00 p.m. CST or 12:00 PT). Space is limited, so register here to join us!

Empowering Families to Be the Center of Faith Formation

Only one out of ten families who go to church talk about faith or God anyplace outside of the church building. When asked why this is, one mother remarked, “I didn’t know we were supposed to.”

This January, Faith Formation Ministries is offering a Children’s Ministry Cohort that will explore how the church can empower, equip, and encourage families to be the center of faith formation. In this cohort, we will explore the current state of families and begin to reimagine families at the center of faith formation. We’ll identify places of faith practice, develop a “family at the center” approach, and talk about a faith formation network design. This cohort meets from January through April 2021 and is open for children’s ministry leaders and their teams. Keep watching for more information!

Summer Ministries Webinar

As we explore challenges in our face-to-face ministries, our friends from Lifelong Learning (a continuing education ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary) hosted a webinar titled Reflections and Resources for Summer Formation, sharing how to plan summer formation for adults, youth, and children. Participants also shared how their own churches are thinking about summer ministry today.

Expanding Your Ideas

Don’t have time to attend a conference or workshop? Here are some interesting articles to support your ministry endeavors.

COVID-19 Children’s Ministry Resources

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is continuing to gather and curate resources on key topics regarding ministry during COVID-19. To see the overall list of resources available, check out this page. For more information specifically for children’s ministry, Children’s Ministry During COVID-19 has a wide variety of ideas for encouraging and equipping children and families during this time, including resources for calming anxiety and fear. Children’s Ministry in Partial Reopening contains resources intended to strengthen and encourage the church as we navigate partial reopening, in all the stages between "total lockdown" and "total reopening" of physical buildings.

Let’s Be Friends!

The CRC Children’s Ministry Leaders Facebook Group is a place for you to meet others involved in CRC children’s ministry. Join this private group to network, ask questions, share resources, and encourage one another as we seek to build strong ministries that nurture children’s faith.

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