|
|
|
|
|
Home
>
Denominational Ministries
>
Christian Formation
>
Departmental Ministries
>
Children & Family Ministries
>
Childcare & Preschool
>
Idea Exchange
Idea Exchange
The Childcare and Preschool Ministry Network seeks to connect ministries and facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources. The “Question of the Quarter,” provides ministries a space to engage in conversations with other ministries, while sharing practical ideas and ministry insights.
For the fall quarter we pose the following question:
"What opportunities/issues have come up in your ministry setting regarding the topics of the secular and spiritual celebration of Christmas? How have you responded to these opportunities and/or what solutions have you come up with to address these issues? "
Responses: | A Friend of mine illustrated a book called "The Night I Met Santa". The book shares the gospel through talking about Santa. It is a way to tell others about Jesus using a secular tradition. If you are interested in learning more about this book you can go to the website at www.thenightimetsanta.com. The author and the illustrator are both women who love the Lord. Kaytee Warren, MetroKids | Our preschool is primarily made up of non-church people. We make a conscious attempt during our Christmas program to focus on the story of Jesus birth with our songs and fingerplays. We have a Happy Birthday Jesus emphasis to our talk about Christmas and our Christmas party (our three's classes have parents bring a cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday) and in our Bible Story notes that we send home each week. Our fours make a birthday crown that says Happy Birthday Jesus that we encourage them to wear on Christmas day to remember whose birthday it is. Maureen, Milwaukie Covenant Preschool | | We celebrate the whole season – in preparation for Christmas Day – using an Advent wreath with 4 candles, each week lighting one more candle until we light all four the Friday before Christmas. Using accompanying scripture verses we gradually tell the story of Christmas. (Google: Advent Wreath or Advent Candles for a wealth of information) | The pre-schoolers learn about baby Jesus through drama and art work. We have costumes that they dress up in and then they act out the story. We have a Christmas concert in December for all the parents. Also, this year we have a college student coming in to teach the children sign language and they will be signing Silent Night for the parents.
| | Our pastor agreed to dress up as St. Nicholas, told that legend, and passed out candy canes. He told how the candy cane look liked a shepherd’s crook and also that, when inverted, it resembles a “J” for Jesus. | | The pre-schoolers also have a tree to undecorate. We have 4 families in need attending the school. We get all the sizes and gift desires of the family members and then we have a tree with all the info. The preschoolers take a suggested item from the tree, buy it, wrap it, and bring it back to us and the teachers get it to the families. The preschoolers and their families do not know who the gifts are for, so it is not embarrassing in any way. | Our After School Kids are involved with GOOD NEWS CLUB on Wednesdays. A member of the church comes in each week with a Bible lesson and story. This month we are sending 100 gift wrapped shoe boxes fill with small items for kids. They do this through Samaritan's Purse. The boxes are filled with everything from pencils to socks, whatever can fit in them. Each child brings items, writes a letter to go in the box and is just excited about where they are going. Each box cost $7 to send and the Sunday school classes raised that money for us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
