Stewardship Taught through Blankets

This year the Sunday School teachers were challenged to teach the base curriculum, faith skills and to teach stewardship through the students offering (see the September Ramblings front page article). The curriculum is straight forward, it has not changed in a few years. Faith skills is new this year and I will have a post later on it's progress.  Stewardship is a bit tricky.  How do you instill a sense of stewardship in third graders or kindergarteners?

One way the younger classes are approaching stewardship is by following along with the Lutheran Malaria activities.  The teachers had a special lesson at the beginning of the year.  From this lesson, the students know that through their class offering, every $10 they offer goes to a bed net.  Most of them understand that a bed net saves a life.

The third, fourth and fifth grade class discussed the different initiatives. They talked about global charities concerning world hunger and the fight against malaria. They talked about local issues of homeless and hunger and those working humanly care for animals in the community. As the discussion continued to see what the students wanted focus upon for the year from a stewardship perspective a question was asked which I summarize as "How can make make an impact when we don't have a lot of money?".

The students busy at work

The teachers seized the moment to bring into focus the stewardship elements of Time and Talent. The students decided that since they have little money but ample time and talent they could work to make something and offer of to the congregation and the community for sale.

The table is set with toys,
pillows and blankets

A couple Sundays this year the students have been making fleece blankets and pillows they pray someone would like. They have decorated some simple wooden toys and made fleece throw toys from the scraps strips of fabric left over.

The students celebrate their
success and surprise Pastor
with a blanket and pillow

On December 18th, the students set up a table in the Narthex.  With just a little advertisement the week before, the students with the direction of their teachers raised $170 to fight malaria and help a local no kill animal shelter (a nice write up on the shelter can be found here).

At the end, the students were all able to help themselves to the remainder of the items after the sale to wrap and give as gifts to their family and friends.  They were very excited to hear of the results of their work and calculated the number of mosquito nets and bags of dog food the profits could buy.  It is wonderful to see them excited about helping others in this Christmas season.

Love is Homemade!

My mom gave me a pillow embroidered with the saying, “Love is Homemade.”  How true is that! 

How do you learn to reach outside yourself and love others?  Christ showed us how to do this, to take chances, to show others our love through a smile, an embrace, or a gesture of compassion.  During the holiday season, how about by bringing some homemade muffins from home, and combining them with others’ goodies into a wonderful treat for someone?  Better yet, add a book of Psalms you made in class a few weeks before that, and put your gift in a homemade gift bag tied in a sparkly bow!  Now that is love you can sink your teeth into!  J 

The 6/7/8^th grade classes at LCR spent their Sunday School time this week working together, laughing, spending time together, and then hand delivering their gifts to those who minister to them  (our LCR staff) and then coordinating gift baskets to deliver to our friends at First Lutheran Church in Over-the-Rhine.  (The muffins will be frozen, and then served on Christmas morning at the church’s Christmas breakfast and outreach!) 

The holiday season is not only about receiving.  It is about giving…and seeing that in the process of reaching out in homemade love…your own heart swells as well. 

“It is possible to give away and become richer!  …Yes, the liberal man shall be rich!  By watering others, he waters himself.”  -- Proverbs 11:24-25

The Stranger

The Stranger came to the 6th/7th grade class today.

The Stranger is someone not like them, does not look like them, does not smell like them or behave like them. The lesson is how will the students react and interact with The Stranger. Will they accept him, welcome him or ignore him, shun him.  Every year the teachers of this class invite The Stranger and every year they are a bit jittery.

The lesson we are reminded of is that Jesus taught us to help, feed, heal and ultimately love The Stranger, Neighbor and our Self as he loved us; to love each other as God loved us.

Sunday School with 3, 4 and 5 year olds can be really fun

Sunday School with 3, 4 and 5 year olds can be really fun.  Everything depends on how you view the lesson.

For instance, how could you teach the little ones about Jesus healing the lepers.  Shoot, how do you even describe leprosy at their level.   If you happened to be hanging around the Narthex with a view down the classroom hall you would have seen one teacher covering himself with stickers.  It was an easy illustration of leprosy's toll on the body and looked fun. I went to take the below picture. While talking to the kids I learned that some kids didn't want stickers (and be "sick") while others jump at the chance to include me with nice neon stickers on my face.

I know some of the concepts these young students are learning about Jesus' miracles are difficult. If the students forget about the miracle that is OK. Hopefully they remember Jesus worked out of Love. And I know for certain that each one will remember the stickers, remember seeing their teacher covered with the stickers and know how much their teacher loves them.

Here we go

This blog will cover all areas of Christian Education at LCR.  This includes the events of Sunday School for children and Adults, Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) retreats, Vacation Bible school, Bible Studies, Catechism and First Communion.

A quick administration notes:

1. The start of 2011 will start the execution of the Ministry Action Plan for Christian Education.  There will be new bible studies and other activities available in 2011.  Please check back for more news.  
2. Many of our activities run from September to May/June.  Some changes and new opportunities won't be  seen until next September.
3. I have got to get my camera going.

Starting ...

Starting a new blog for LCR's Sunday School. More to come as more time is available.