Intergenerational Ministry Updates

“Intergenerational Ministry” is a buzzword in many of my professional circles. Though it sounds like jargon, it simply means “ministry for all ages.”  Many churches are finding that separating church attendees by age all the time is not only tiring, but it leads to a lack of conversation between age groups. Our churches are strongest when we learn from each other. Old learns from young. Young learns from old. We share our lives together.

Emily is working hard to make sure that EPC does intergenerational ministry in a thoughtful way. We don’t want adults to feel like our church is becoming too “child-centric” but neither do we want our children to feel like they don’t belong. It’s a balance. How do we create a church environment where children feel welcome and included?

Here are some of the things Emily and I have talked with the session about. Please reach out to Emily or I with any questions:

Family Communion Sundays -- On the first Sunday of the Month, communion Sunday, all ages will be in worship together. I encourage you to be on the lookout for young people during these Sundays and make sure to help them feel welcome and included. Emily and I will be working to make sure the Sermon moment is especially friendly to children and youth on these Sundays. They might have an interactive piece of some type, or a way to keep us all engaged together.
Busy Boxes - In time for Easter we will be purchasing the materials we need for “busy boxes.” These boxes will have a variety of things to keep children engaged in worship, including children’s Bibles, ribbons to wave during music, and other materials that are just for them.
Vacation Bible School - This year, some of our older youth will be putting together our Vacation Bible School for the younger children. They will need help from all of us to make their plans a reality!

Our hope and prayer is that as we incorporate experiences and liturgies for all ages, all will grow in faith together, at our own pace. We know it can be a challenge. Children can be loud or spontaneous at times! At the same time, we know that there’s a great payoff to including children in everything we do.

Children aren’t the “future” of our church. They are part of our church right now. When we incorporate them into every aspect of our church’s life and ministry, amazing things will happen.

With gratitude,

Pastor Traci