Lost in Transition
Many of our children are lost to our faith communities in key moments of transition. Working against this trend is an important part of this ministry. Working strategically towards a vision of children connected firmly into the faith community in ways that mean they grow in relationship with God and the whole faith community means it will be less likely for a child to leave.
Milestones
Celebrating milestones is an essential element in helping a child to sense they belong.
Celebrating with a child in creative and positive ways will communicate love and care thus helping to cement a child into the faith community.
Champion
Each type of event will need a special team leader (a champion) and their team to ensure the celebration and the communication surrounding each event is effective.
Event Possibilities
For each transitions or milestones there are a range of possible ideas provided to help either families, wider families or faith communities to mark and celebrate them. If not provided, they will be listed and marked for development.
Teaching
In the midst of each celebration it will be appropriate to make the most of each opportunity to equip and resource parents and the faith community with some important wisdom. This can be either in the form of handouts or through semi-formal teaching moments.
Resources
Where possible, a number of resources are provided or at least are listed and marked for development.
WOW! … Wonder AND Words of Wisdom
WOW … is a big word! It is an expression of wonder; it is said with wide eyes and raised eyebrows; it is a celebration word!
WOW … is also a word that can stand for ‘Words of Wisdom’.
The general sentiment is: “As we stand with you at this milestone or as we transition with you over the next little while, we hope you appreciate these few words of wisdom. They come from lots of places and are given to you with love and in the hope that you will continue to follow Jesus and grow in your faith in God.”
Marked for development are a series of 3 pdf WOW cards:
Each card design contains specific words of teaching and encouragement to each party in the drama of life surrounding each transition or milestone.
- WOW* … * indicates this card is for the person whose life we are celebrating
- WOWp … p indicates this card is for the parents and extended family of the person whose life we are celebrating
- WOWc … c indicates this card is for the immediate faith community of the person whose life we are celebrating.