Dear Friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
School starts in Jefferson County next week. Like most people across the country, we are watching this carefully. If students can re-enter successfully, with little or no virus incidence, this will help shape how we do other activities while we await a vaccine for COVID-19, including church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Training children in the faith is an important part of child\u2019s education, and the COVID virus has made it hard for our family ministry to continue in the traditional manner. As we begin the school year, I\u2019m happy to share a resource for parents and grandparents. The Christian curriculum company David C. Cook has free resources families can access at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can access the main David C. Cook website here. If you scroll down to the box that says, \u201cFree Resources,\u201d you\u2019ll find a list of helpful tools that can be used at home. I have looked through these, and I am particularly fond of Eight Lessons, which focuses on characteristics of God. Thirteen Lessons at Home focuses on thirteen different people Jesus interacted with in his ministry. I also think the family prayer resource is a great tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wish I could tell you exactly when we plan to resume children\u2019s ministry, but that would be dishonest. Until we are certain social distancing can be maintained, and that the church isn\u2019t inadvertently a source of the virus, we need to put Sunday School on hold. We can spread out in the sanctuary, not so much in the classrooms. However, we also don\u2019t want to ignore the fact that our children need to be trained. Long ago, before churches took on the responsibility of shaping the faith of their children, that discipleship happened at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These resources for which I\u2019ve provided links can be modified in whatever way works best for your family. I encourage those who use it to make it fun and enjoyable. It would be ideal to review one lesson each week. These moments might prove to be extremely important in the lives of the children and it may create some amazing memories! And don\u2019t worry about having all the answers. An honest, \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d can sometimes inspire greater confidence than having the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Discipleship and Family Ministry team would appreciate hearing feedback from those who use these resources. Please share your experience via email at familyministry@ctpres.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blessings, Dear Friends, School starts in Jefferson County next week. Like most people across the country, we are watching this carefully. If students can re-enter successfully, with little or no virus incidence, this will help shape how we do other activities … Continue reading
Pastor John<\/p>\n\n\n\n