What a crazy year it has been! In the midst of this global pandemic, ministry is still happening at FUMCA. I had the privilege of joining the staff in July of 2020 as Director of Family Ministries and hit the ground running with the ongoing ministries in place. Since joining the FUMCA family, I have heard several questions about “What exactly is Family Ministry?” and “Is Family Ministry the same as Kids Ministry?” and “What exactly do you do?” All valid questions and things that I have pondered at length in casting a vision for this thing called Family Ministry. Family ministry refers not only to family-targeted programs, but also to the ways our congregation supports and strengthens families simply by being a supportive community. Intergenerational friendships develop as people worship, share fellowship, serve others, do the business of the congregation, and play together. These friendships can encourage and sustain members of families in the celebrations, challenges, and crises that family living presents. We were in need of a vision for faith formation for our families based on understanding, clarity about what is essential, and agility to meet the needs of families as they take forming faith in their kids seriously. So what does that look like for FUMCA? In August, you will see our full presentation of our Faith Growth Pathway, or a birth to grave faith
12 • Spring–Summer 2021
formation plan. Until then, here is a bit of what Family Ministry looks like. From all ages of the church’s membership to all levels of the church’s leadership, everyone needs to be reminded of the importance of engaging with families and their desire to form faith in their kids. We take congregational vows every time someone joins our congregation or is baptized. Those vows state our active participation in their lives. Parents who present their child for baptism are asked, “Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example she may be guided to accept God’s grace for herself, to profess her faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?” And the congregation responds to membership, baptism and confirmation by being asked to “commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day receive... do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their home, and perfect them in love” and “With you we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service... surrounded by steadfast love, you may be established in the faith and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.” Those are some big promises and commitments that we make to families! So how do we do that? What does that look like? First we create a space that is ripe for listening, learning, and growing. Together.
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