Dear parents, grandparents, Children's Ministry volunteers and pastors,
The current pandemic has changed our routine living and will continue to impact us for weeks and months ahead. Children and teenagers often have different response to events, so it is important that we are not overly worried or anxious in their presence. Children will pick up on things differently at different ages, so as parents and church we need to tailor our approach.
As all adventist churches across IM are currently closed most of the services have moved online. For adults at least. Children discover God's word (and life in general!) experientially. They like to touch, hear, see, play, smell and savour. The "online church" might not completely engage them in spiritual discoveries.
The CM team at Ranelagh church started posting "Letter from God" to each child from Ranelagh congregation. Each week our children receive a letter by post addressed to them. They read and get encouraged by what God has "written" TO THEM. They also enjoy the Art&Craft that comes with the letter.
I would encourage the pastors and CM leaders/volunteers or regular church members indeed to adopt our initiative. If you as a parent would like your child to receive a "Letter from God" weekly but your local church for whatever reason is unable to organise this, please email your address to childrenministries@adventist.ie. Any other ideas how to engage and connect with kids, welcome as well (for example here).
Help children find a forever friendship with Jesus!
Petar Popivanov, IM CM sponsor