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Children’s Ministry: “Good Neighbors: How To Be A Good Neighbor To Children

Good NeiGhbors

How To Be A Good Neighbor To A Child

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How to be a good neighbor to a child. Make sure they can hear the squeak of your door when you come outside. After the door squeak is heard receive any questions they might have to engage your attention. “Do you know that I can jump off the ladder into our (play) pool?” I answer: “Does your Mom know about this?” (I didn’t think so). Pause from outdoor tasks and say a resounding YES to their question: “Can I tell you something?” Answer them with honesty and add a bit of fun if appropriate: “I love that you remind me of a monkey when you swing on the bars of your swing set.” Take great interest in their prized possessions like a bicycle, super hero pajamas or a toy. Greatly admire their creations. Acknowledge their accomplishments but PRAISE their efforts.

Invite them over to pick a peach. Mask up and invite them to climb the steps up into the tree house.

Share with them the love of your dogs and let them feed them treats.

Commission them to babysit your tomato plant when you are gone on vacation. As they age you may have to engage them and initiate the questions. Don’t lose sight of who they are or where their interests lie.

And remind them they are still a person of interest and value to you as they head toward maturity.

Blessings To You All, Pastor Cheryl

Children’s Sunday School Update

The Children’s Sunday School is a joyous gathering every Sunday at 4:00. By that time usually a family computer is available and they are settling in for the evening. The curriculum has a 4 to 6 week theme and midweek resources I mail out. Our theme presently is “Made in the Image of God”. A video worship song starts our gathering and we sing and follow along with the movements. Next is the Bible story on video that sets the stage for our break-out room discussions. Sometimes we learn how to draw the main character of our story. Our Zoom wizard, Pastor Nick, sets up the break-out rooms by age with 1 or 2 adults present and off we go swirling around until we land in a room of our peers. I, Pastor Cheryl, have the ability to fly between rooms to join in on their discussion. Near the end of our time together the adult concludes with a group game. The first to log off are our Toddlers and Preschoolers whose attention span is 15-20 minutes. Next is the First and Second graders and they gather for about 2030 minutes. Last to leave are our Junior Disciples (grades third through fifth grade). They have been known to Zoom for over an hour! They share a lot of good observations and enjoy the fellowship of each other. One Sunday we all said “good-bye” to each other and clicked the red leave button. After a short visit with one of the teachers I clicked the button and found myself in the main room and many of the Junior Disciples were visiting with the adults and peers. It was like the outdoor patio time without the cookies and the punch.

Please pray for the Children’s Sunday School time. Our intention is not to entertain but to build up the love for God, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the hope and help available through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this time of pandemic separation it is so important for our children to remember they have a Church family that loves and cares for them.

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