All posts tagged outreach

How’s Your Summer Going?

By | July 6, 2011 | Elementary Age, Preschoolers, Vacation Bible School | Comments Off
KFC Storytime (2)

This year, we decided to take a break from Vacation Bible School, and here’s our letter to the church explaining why:

We’re Taking a Break from Vacation Bible School

We love seeing all those kid faces flood into the church on VBS week.  The singing, the crafts, the games, and the costumes – what could be better, right?  We asked ourselves that same question — could we make a program that’s even better than VBS?  Something that might keep kids with us longer or something that might draw families as a whole in more?  As a Christian Education committee, we decided to give it a try.  These were our priorities:

  • Design a program the whole family could participate in.  Even though VBS was designed to be a family-friendly affair, it still seemed pretty kid-oriented.  We wanted something parents would feel comfortable attending as well.
  • Create a program that engages the community more.  So often when we create events, we hold them inside the four walls of our church.  We wanted something that stretches us out a bit more.  Maybe some kind of outdoor event?  Maybe something in the local neighborhoods? We wanted to be out where people simply passing by would see that the church cares for the people around it.
  • Build a program that is longer-lasting.  Because VBS is so often seen as “an event”, kids often swoop in for the week, and then swoop out at the end, never to be seen again.  Certainly, there’s value in the things they learned while they were with us.  Some of you may have even been saved during a Vacation Bible School program.  Praise God!  We want to see kids saved, and we also want to see them grow in Christ.  We wanted to build a program that encourage growing relationships – with church members, other kids, and of course with God.

So, with all that to consider, here’s what the Lord brought to our minds:

  • Monday Morning Story Time at Whitford Park, 10:30AM (Story, craft, snack)  (All summer)
  • Five Fabulous Friday Family Movie Nights, Dusk -11PM (July)
  • Wednesday Night “The Big Story” at ELRAC, 6:30PM (Story, hands-on activities, snack)

Good News for Volunteers

We know VBS was intense and exhausting.  Now, you have an opportunity to serve once a week for a few weeks, once or twice the whole summer, or become a big part of one program.  There’s a lot more flexibility for you!  Check out this Sunday’s bulletin for job descriptions (also on the Kids Ministry bulletin board) or give me a call to learn more!  Please pray about being a part of this exciting new step we’re taking to be a light to the world.  We’d love to have you on the team.

So, How’s it Going?

I’m so glad you asked!  We’ve done one movie night and a month of story time.  I’ve seen a number of story-time families out and about in the community, and it’s been fun being able to say hi and connect with them as a normal person!  I’m really excited about the connections we’re building and the relationships that are forming. Though I must say, volunteer power is SERIOUSLY low on this front.  Final report still in the works!

How About You?

What is your church doing this summer? Traditional VBS?  Sports Camp?  Backyard parties?  I’d love to hear how it’s going!  Leave a comment and let me know!

Our Big Summer Plans!

By | May 14, 2011 | Elementary Age, Ministry Ideas, Parents, Preschoolers, Vacation Bible School | Comments Off
Flickr by Chester Races

It’s hard to believe that Summer is just around the corner.  In case you haven’t heard, we’ll be taking a break from Vacation Bible School this year and focusing on some new outreach methods.  We want to have activities the whole family can participate in and we’d like to get out in the community a bit more.  If you’re in the Erie, PA area, be sure to join us! Here’s the plan:

Five Fabulous Family Movie Nights: July (Dusk-11PM)

Pack your snacks, lawn chairs and blankets and bring the whole family for an outdoor movie fun on our “big screen”. The movies are free and guaranteed family friendly! It’s a terrific way to enjoy some family summertime fun! Movies begin at dusk. In case of inclement weather, movies will be held indoors in the gym.

Monday Morning Storytime in the Park: June, July, and August

Parents and kids, join us for storytime at Whitford Park this summer! Every Monday Morning at 10:30AM (except July 4th). Listen to a fun story geared towards ages 4-6, have a snack, and enjoy a craft together. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All ages welcome. No cost. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday Night: The BIG STORY

There is a lot of stuff in the pages of the Bible, but believe it or not, it’s all one Big Story about God’s love and his plan for us and the world.  This summer, in Kids’ Club at East Lake Road Alliance,  we’ll explore the major stories in the Bible and how they are all connected.  After hearing the story, the kids will head to stations to explore parts of the story in fun, hands-on ways. Stations may include things like cooking, drama, puppets, art, math, science, games, history, prayer, nature, wood-working, or computer.  Program runs from 6:30PM – 7:30PM. Every week will be something new and different!

What about You?

What are your big ministry or family plans this year?

 

Fusion: Quick Book Review

By | April 9, 2011 | First Impressions and Guests, Resources, Reviews | Comments Off
images

This is a great book for anyone in the church to read, but especially those in leadership. It’s a quick (and enjoyable!) read that offers practical steps to turning first time visitors into fully engaged members. With many books like this, the reader can quickly get overwhelmed with all the steps and new procedures needing to be implemented for the strategy to work correctly.  However, with this book, I felt “this is very do-able” as I read. I especially like the beginning of the book where it talks about guests being gifts from God and how we need to be good stewards of those gifts.
Of course, the imaginary couple in this book followed all the rules too, so it sets a little bit of an unrealistic picture, but I’m sure church leaders realize that not everyone works out. I did like the fact that we are encouraged to stop chasing after people who have been gone a long time and focus on the new person who walked through the door today. I’ve always felt guilty about that.

If you have a passion for outreach or are in church leadership, you need to read this book! Pick up your copy today!

 

Easter Egg Hunt: Classic Outreach Event

By | March 18, 2011 | Easter, Holidays and Events | Comments Off
Flickr by slambo_42

For our big Easter Outreach this year, we’re planning on hosting an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt in the side yard at our church. Here’s the schedule so far:

  • 10:00 Welcome and Registration
  • 10:15 Younger Kids (ages 6 and under) Egg Hunt
  • 10:30 Older Kids (ages 7-10) Egg Hunt
  • 10:45 Inside for Refreshments (Coloring pages also available on tables if kids want to color)
  • 11:00 Church Service Starts (all are invited, of course!)

Here’s a few other things we’re planning:

  • Having live bunnies available if kids want to pet them or take pictures with them during registration or when they are waiting for their Egg Hunt.
  • Separating the yard into two hunt zones so the younger kids have a smaller space to find eggs, and so we can hide some eggs farther out in the yard for the older kids without having to rehide them all in between hunts.
  • Having a puppet show and song time during each hunt for other kids to watch and participate in while they are waiting for their turn to hunt
  • Getting our eggs at Plastic Easter Eggs, a family run company that fills 1,000 eggs and ships them to you for $136!  Sounds like a great plan to me!  Yikes, it looks like the deadline for ordering from them is today!
  • Handing out an “Orientation” sheet to all the parents at  Registration, stating the rules and schedule and also telling them about the church’s kids programs.
  • Taking a family picture at Registration and then emailing it to families after the event as a way of follow-up.
  • Inviting all the families to an Easter Egg Coloring Event that Wednesday during our Kids for Christ program.

What are your big Easter Plans?

Will We Do VBS this year?

By | February 25, 2011 | Holidays and Events, Vacation Bible School | 3 Comments
Flickr by FirstBaptistNashville

I have to admit, I struggled with VBS last year.  We visited a few other churches to see how their program was being run and to gather up ideas only to see the same faces over and over again.  We have kids that come to our VBS and never darken the door of the church again until next summer.  We have kids from Christian families that spend their entire summer VBS-hopping.

What does that all mean?  Does it mean the program is a failure? That it’s not making an impact? Could we use our financial and volunteer resources better somewhere else?

Is it enough to have kids hearing the Word of God for one week a year?  What if the kids at our VBS heard the same message at a different church last week?  Are we still being effective?

This year, we’re stepping out of our comfort zone a bit to try something new.  This doesn’t mean we’ll be done with VBS forever.   However, we’d like to explore the idea of engaging families a bit more and getting out into the community where we can.  We’re still kicking around ideas, but we’ve narrowed it down to Friday Family Movie night (inspired by a chapter in the Collaborate book) and weekly Story Time either at our church or in a local park.

What about you?  What kind of plans are in your summer-time future?  Are you rethinking VBS or is it still a strong and successful program in your community?

Other Links of Interest:

VBS Evaluation Form (originally posted by Wayne Stocks on Ministry-to-Children.com)

VBS Alternatives

Why We Don’t Do VBS (Grace Church Blog)

Get the word out about your VBS!

By | February 17, 2011 | Holidays and Events, Vacation Bible School | Comments Off
Flickr by Flickr Dave

Here’s some great ideas for publicizing Vacation Bible School (or whatever your summer big event is) in your neighborhood.  The ideas come from a member in our church (SpyGuy, to be exact).  Check them out:

  • Countdown Board Outside with “XX” days to go!  This could also be posted inside the church to generate excitement among the congregation.
  • Sidewalk Line-up: Have kids line up with signs with the events details on the sidewalk in front of the church for a few Saturdays before the big event.   If you have a particular theme, make sure you’ve got some characters out front too!
  • Yard Signs — similar to political ones.  Everyone in the church could take one and put it in their yard announcing the big event.   There is also a Pink Flamingo tactic that gets people talking!

What ideas have you used?

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