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.