This Fall I recruited a small team of experts in the area of children’s ministry to address the urgent need to provide quality ministry to children as we are nearing a post pandemic future.
The response was impressive – it was wonderful to receive close to 60 people on a Saturday morning in October for a three hour webinar.
There were thirteen speakers, each given nine minutes or less to share their best ideas to inspire leaders of children, youth and family ministry in a post pandemic world.
Here are few points from each speaker. The full webinar is available for you to view on our youtube channel or at www.montreal.anglican.ca/youth.
Sheilagh McGlyn: A View from the National Church
Sheilagh emphasized how those who work with young people are often the most creative, and the vision and creativity of these leaders are desperately needed by the Church right now. She stressed the need to offer programming that puts connection before content and to be strong in our faith and to be present, grounded and nurturing.
The Rev Grace Burson: Telling the Story
Grace explained that the bible is one story – an overall arc that makes sense and is the most fundamental element of what we do in Christian community. Stories such as these allow faith to grow with children and images and stories help imagination and creativity to flourish.
Valerie Taylor: Come Together, A New Resource
Valerie described a new resource she is producing called Come Together, that focuses on the feasts and festivals of the church year with an emphasis on all-age gatherings for the whole community. She explained that gatherings, in particular worship outside the box, cannot be implemented by one person but instead require a strong team (musical, technical, planning etc.). This new children’s ministry resource will be launching soon!
Dr. Jonathan White: Music Ministry for Children
Jonathan acknowledged that initiating a music ministry program is not a straightforward task and we must think outside of the box, including being flexible about Sunday morning scheduling.
It is important for clergy to be involved; without their support there could be no program. He concluded with a reminder on how we must provide a positive experience for children as this will often “make” or “break” their future involvement in the Church.
Caitlin Reilley Beck: LGBTQ +Inclusion
Caitlin asserts that gender and sexuality are about understanding ourselves, our bodies, and our relationships which are all central to kids’ lives. She reminded us that children are sorting these things out as of age two. They learn what is “OK” from stories: bible, liturgy, sermons, art, what is deemed funny, what clothes are being worn, what is being whispered. She emphasized that LGBTQ+ as curriculum isn’t just “extra” it is in fact central.
Caitlin also stressed the importance of all-ages ministry saying that we need people at different ages and stages of life because we can help care for each other.
She reminded us that we share ourselves with children so that they can follow in the pattern of God by putting those in the margins at the centre of a caring community.
Edward Yankie: How do we teach kids about Christianity and where does Social Justice fit in?
Edward declared that there is no dichotomy between spirituality and social justice. The worst conversation you can have about race with kids is no conversation at all. He said that it is crucial to start talking about race early, often and honestly in children’s ministry.
There are resources on the Anti Racism web page on Diocesan website www.montreal.anglican.ca/antiracism-task-force to support ministry to young people.
“We know that children understand concepts of justice and kindness. We need to be transformed to build a world with less bullying where people can reach their full potential.”
ArchBishop Mark MacDonald: An Indigenous Perspective
Bishop Mark said that the most stern and challenging statements and promises that Jesus made were about children. These are among the most urgent and pressing issues confronting the Church today.
He went on to say that if we need a reminder about the urgency of this matter, we should look at the missing children and residential schools. Mark cautions that children are aware of what is going on and when they encounter images of little shoes on doorsteps or thresholds, they will see this with fear. “Our children are being faced with shock, fear and disintegration and we are trying to grasp wholeness”.
Mark stated that the acceptance of land acknowledgement across the Church reflects an attempt to repair the damage of the racist narrative. The task now is to find a new narrative, one that is inclusive and offers hope. “There has been a radical breach of trust and repair has to be a part of this narrative.”
“The Ghost dancers who danced across turtle island believed that Jesus will come back and will make something new. We must weave this together. “
Canon Dr. Neil Mancor: Messy Church
Neil said that Messy Church provides an opportunity for open ended, meaning-making, process-oriented ministry that creates intentional space to explore and experiment.
Neil asserted that “The Spirit works through creativity.” As such, children are considered active agents in shaping their spirituality through a combination of Prayer, craft and celebration that nourishes.
Dinner is a very important aspect of Messy Church and it is a gift of love for the community. The table is the place where family happens. “All of us together, at the table, sharing the meal and children are full members, worthy of being included.”
He wonders, if we realize that all of this is just as important for us as adults too?
The Rev Amy Crawford: Godly Play
Amy said that children come to us as spiritual beings and already have an understanding of the Holy. Godly Play themes explore the capacity for us being with God and God being with us.
The main elements of a Godly Play curriculum are:
Greeting: intentional crossing of threshold
Gathering: with a centering song or prayer
Story
Wondering
Responding: art / play
Feast
Dismissal
Learn more about Godly Play godlyplay.ca
Archdeacon Linda Borden Taylor: Spiritual Direction for Children
Linda highlighted the importance of play in childhood but alongside this, stillness and wonder. She described moments in time where a child is pulled through an invisible barrier into what is seemingly another realm, oftentimes when in the natural world.
She encourages us to observe a child in their stillness. Children are in fact, naturals at contemplation, meditation and storytelling.
Linda provided some helpful resources and creative tools for Spiritual Direction with children and reminded us that children love to play and our job is to take on the role of the Holy listening friend. She left us with an invitation to ask the following question to a child in our lives: “Will you tell me?” and to listen deeply from your heart.
The Rev Jean Daniel ODonnacada: On Hard Topics in Children’s Ministry
Jean Daniel said that children are already spiritually mature and adults are not necessarily more mature than them. He challenged our understanding of spiritual maturity and reminded us that we are called to be like children asking why repeatedly. “We need to be childish in order to understand.”
We must honor the agency of children and be a safe person for them. He offered the following advice:
Listen to them
Be precise
Keep your discomfort to yourself
Answer what they asked
Jean Daniel concluded with clear instructions on how to talk about the hard topics in church … because the children are ready. The question is, are we?
The Rev Judy Steers: Children’s Ministry in a Pluralistic Society
Judy emphasized the importance of “meaning-making” through story, mythic narrative and community based rituals. There must be a sense of freedom and mutual accountability in the process of faith formation.
Judy also cautioned us about the univocal perspective and asked us to consider who is not in the room? Who are we excluding? She emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for multi faith learning and appreciation.
In conclusion Judy said we must learn to embrace diversity and work for a common inclusive vision where we learn from one another and see faith as a tapestry in which we are threads.
Bonus Speaker: Tanya Moxley: Let Kids Play
Tanya provided a definition of play as any activity that is freely chosen, intrinsically motivated and self directed. If we are made in the image of God then surely God must want us to play!
She explained that play is how we effectively work through pain, suffering and trauma. Tanya suggested that when implementing a play based ministry we start with asking “why?”.
Tanya reminds us that children are intelligent, empathetic, curious and built to learn. She invited us as leaders of children’s ministry to say yes to play!
As these are just brief sumaries, I encourage you to watch the webinar online. And stay tuned for the next segment of our youth and children’s series – when we listen to the children!
