Better Together | Week 2
PRESENT FUTURE - SHARING AND TEACHING LOVE TO OUR KIDS IN THE SHADOW OF A PANDEMIC
On a beautiful mid-August morning, the excitement was building. Over 60 kids accompanied by their parents and other caring adults along with scores of dedicated volunteers piled into our church building for the first day of Vacation Bible Adventure (VBA). A year ago, this scene was unimaginable due to pandemic restrictions and a staffing shortage. But in the summer of 2021, we were back with masks and a lot of outdoor events which were coordinated by an entirely new Children, Youth and Family (CYF) staff. Here are just two of many stories we heard from this inspiring week:
One parent shared about how her child was blessed by VBA. Her child has anxiety in social situations and learned key lessons about faith through VBA, like “Jesus helps us to do hard things,” and “We can trust God to be with us when we are scared.” This young VBA participant took these lessons to heart, and has used them as tools to face her anxiety, and trust in God!
Another parent mentioned that their teens had become inactive at church through the pandemic, and were uncertain about returning. They volunteered to help with VBA, and having a job helped “break the ice,” as they found a place to connect with others and continue moving forward in their journey of faith.
We have a long and proud history of CYF ministry at Gloria Dei. However, over the past year and a half, the pandemic has dealt a blow to what we have been able to offer. We have navigated restrictions and obstacles with our Sunday School opportunities, Confirmation, Youth Group, and more. This was exacerbated by a staffing shortage. But today, we are close to full staff and poised to take our next steps into an exciting new day. At Gloria Dei, we don’t believe that our kids are the future of the church, we believe they are the present reality. Reinvigorating our CYF programming will require our time, attention, energy, and financial generosity.
The VBA week in August is just a taste of what is to come. This Fall we are reintroducing in-person Sunday School and Confirmation, planning summer youth trips and more. Our kids and the adults connected to them will need all our support so they can connect, learn and grow in the promises of Christ’s love. As we build on the proud tradition of our CYF ministries, address the current historic challenges, and look ahead to our life together, the future is not only bright and promising, the future is now!
Our stewardship theme this year is Better Together, Paving the Way Forward. Our goal is to increase our Operating Fund by $1,346 per week, or $70,000 per year. We will revitalize our CYF ministry by improving curriculum, classroom space, outreach, and activities. We will also repair our parking lot as it is the gateway to our hospitality and welcome, and maintain ministry excellence as we live into this exciting new era.
Please pray for a generous response to this challenge, and prayerfully consider increasing your gift for the coming year. We are Better Together, and side by side we can sustain Gloria Dei’s vibrant ministry for all of us, and for generations yet to come.