Pew Partners: What is it?
You may have heard some people talking during church or church meetings about the idea of Pew Partners. But what is this and what does it mean? During Lent, we’ve begun an experiment where we have connected families with young children to an adult mentor. These mentors are invited to sit with the families, to talk and teach about different parts of the worship service, to answer questions and to discover the creativity of our kids. Kids have been given the opportunity to experience worship with someone other than their parents, to share their wisdom, love, and joy with these special members of the church community. We hope that this partnership idea can teach us about intergenerational interactions in worship and beyond.
Upcoming Events in Christian Education
Intergenerational Mission Project― Backpacks for Syrian Refugees: On March 31 during coffee hour, we will form intergenerational teams to pack supplies for into backpacks. The backpacks will go to Syrian refugees who are displaced in their own nation. This project is sponsored by Jewish Family Service and the Multi-Faith Alliance.
Intergenerational Trivia Game: Saturday, April 6 at 3:00pm in Edwards Hall. Rick Seaholm, our commissioned minister of music and trivia specialist, will host our game, which will feature intergenerational teams competing for a grand prize! Rick is preparing questions that will draw upon the wisdom of people from every age group—so your team needs you! We will have snacks and lots of laughs!
Profiles in Young Christian Explorers
Today’s Explorer: Jacob Muhs-Corbiser. Jacob is the grandson of Shelly and Bruce Cichowlas. He is ten years old. He enjoys building with Legos, and playing video games like Minecraft and Roadblocks. Jacob has been very flexible with us in the Christian Explorers classrooms, often sitting in with the younger class at times when teachers have been away or sick. Jacob likes talking and learning about the stories of Jesus in church with his teacher Stephany. Next time you see Jacob, make sure you ask him about some of his favorite things!
Connecting with our Youth
Here’s a fun exercise to do as a family or with a group of youth who have cell phones:
- Take out your phone and open your texting app. Say a prayer for the last five people that you sent a text to.
- Next, open a news app—say a prayer for the people involved in the first headline you see.
- Open a social media app—say a prayer for the first five people in your feed.
This activity can open up discussions about the people closest to us and about the events happening in the world. It could become a unique spiritual practice for you and your family!
Blessings,
Dawn Sorensen, Interim Director of CE