Grace and peace to you friends!
Connection is a word that we often hear that is used to describe how our beloved United Methodist Church does ministry and life together.
In the local church, we are connected by the various ministry groups that we serve in or attend. Connection means every church has a pastor, and every pastor has a church. It means every United Methodist church around the world is connected to every other United Methodist church. Together, connected, we accomplish more for the Kingdom of God.
How do our children fit into this connection? Being connected helps children flourish just as it does adults. When we stay connected to Jesus, to each other, our community, and the world, we grow deep roots and produce beautiful fruit in our lives. We have all certainly experienced some loss of connection with the pandemic and, even more recently, perhaps disaffiliation. My husband, Rev. Clay Parker, is a UMC pastor, and one of his roles is serving as the Pastor to the remnant congregation of the Capital District. As I have listened to him reach out and minister to this congregation that is undoubtedly feeling a loss of connection, the question began to weigh heavy on my heart: what about the children? In my connection with other Children’s Ministry Pastors and leaders, conversations were shared expressing a need and a desire to renew our connection for and to Children’s Ministry. So, I have a vision and the blessing of our District Superintendent, Chris Brady, to share this vision with you and invite those who have a passion for Children’s Ministry to join in! We would like to help our Capital District churches Children’s Ministries connect with a District Children’s Ministry event! Just imagine a great big, fun, all-day event filled with music, creative learning, food, games, and more! If you serve as staff or laity in Children’s Ministry in the Capital District and would like to join in on a brainstorming luncheon, please email me at shawnna@garnerumc.org, and let’s connect!
In closing, I offer this prayer for all of us that serve in Children’s Ministry; I pray that we find satisfaction in odd and challenging times. I pray that we find joy in teaching the gospel of Jesus to children. I pray that we get excited to teach children big truths that will blow their minds and teach them that a personal journey with Jesus will make all the difference in their lives. And as Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Oh, that the spirit of God may help us to do this! The more the young are taught, the better.” Amen.
Blessings,
Shawnna Smith-Parker
Director of Family & Children Ministry
Garner United Methodist Church