Family & Children
Sacred Steps
Children's Sermon Journal is a series of weekly exegetical notes and suggestions for children's sermons. The series is based on the Revised Common Lectionary which is now in Year C. It is written by the Rev. Michael Davison and edited by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison. You can find out more and subscribe to Sacred Steps online.
Kids to Kids program
Kids to Kids is a program designed to involve elementary age children in the mission work of the church. It was started 15 years ago by the 
Disciples of Christ and is now a program for children in both UCC and Disciples denominations. The fact that the new interactive Kids to Kids web page is still under construction is not stopping us from giving our children a way to respond to the earthquake disaster in Haiti.
This Kids to Kids Special Project – Haiti's Babies, gives children information about putting together and sending Baby Kits to Church World Service. If you have questions about this special project or Kids to Kids in general please contact Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children’s Ministries.
Want to get your kids involved? Visit www.kids2kidsmissions.org and find out how.
Children at the Lord's Table
Is your congregation questioning whether or not children who have not yet been baptized can participate in the celebration of communion? If so, the book, Children at the Lord’s Table, by the Rev. John Hinant and the accompanying study guide, along with articles by Dr. Sharon Warner and Dr. Jerry Sumney can help.
Copies of the book, Children at the Lord’s Table by Rev. John Hinant, can be ordered by calling DHM at (888) 346-2631.
Building a Handbook for Children's Ministries
Christian Children's Fellowship
A youth group for upper elementary age children. Download free organizational suggestions and a whole year’s worth of program plans.
Sexuality Education Resources
It is extremely important that sexuality education take place within the walls of our churches. Even though we Disciples have not produced our own sexuality education materials, there are many faith based curricula available. Download these recommendations from the Office of Family and Children’s Ministries.
Light
a Candle Prayer Vigil and National Observance of Children's
Sabbaths
Light
a Candle for Children, an advocacy and prayer vigil project, invites congregations to join in 40 days of prayer for children. It begins 40 days prior to the annual observance of the National Children's Sabbaths which takes place during the third weekend of October. Children's Sabbaths are sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund.
Christian Parenting Programs
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Children Welcome!/
ACCE conference
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See a slide show from the 2008 Children Welcome!/ACCE conference. |
ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) is a parenting program that is effective and easy to administer.
It was developed by The Reverend Glenn Wilkerson, minister
of Cypress Creek Christian Church in Springs,
Texas. It is a way for parents, grandparents, Sunday school
teachers, youth workers, and all caring adults who want
to enhance their skills at loving and nurturing children.
It can be used during Sunday morning church school classes
or as an evening adult education program. Visit the DHM
ARK web page for additional information and training opportunities.
A secular version of ARK is available in English and in Spanish. In addition there is an ARK Program for Teens and for Children. To learn more about all of the ARK programs, visit the Web site of The ARKGroup, Inc.
Active Parenting Publishers has resources for parents of
toddlers to teens. Powerful tools for helping families are
available in printed and video formats. Many resources are
offered in Spanish. For more information go to www.activeparenting.com.
Child
Abuse Prevention Information
April is child abuse prevention month in the United States. Issues of abuse and neglect can not be ignored. Congregations need to do everything possible to assure the safety of all vulnerable people entrusted to their care. We, as a people of faith, can reduce the risk of abuse and neglect by supporting parents and care givers, and by educating ourselves and our communities.
We can reduce the risk of abuse and neglect by developing and implementing abuse prevention policies in our churches. Laws and official definitions may vary depending on the state or province in which churches are located. Policies should be designed to fit the unique needs and circumstances of individual church communities.
Additional information and resources are available.
Children Worship & Wonder
Children Worship & Wonder offers
an exciting way to approach faith formation with children.
Check our schedule for a training near you.
Disciples Care for Children
Because we have been called by Christ to love and care for every child, Disciples Care for Children seeks to be a voice for children by empowering and supporting congregations in building up ministries that nurture and care for all children.
Comfort
Quilts for children
Comfort quilts can be given to various organizations to bring comfort and love to children. The quilts could be distributed to a local abuse shelter, a hospital pediatric unit, the EMT unit in your community, or a mission project in any area. A comfort quilt can be made with any square—any fabric—any design—any pattern. Preprinted quilts from a store may be used. A solid piece of fabric may be used and tied with colorful yarn ties. You'll find additional information on this quilt making project.
Marriage
Preparation and Marriage Enrichment
According to the Census Bureau's release about its report on MARITAL STATUS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, "The number of children living with both parents declined from 85 to 68 percent between 1970 and 1996. The proportion of children living with one parent has grown from 12 percent to 28 percent during this same time span.
If your congregation is interested in ways to help strengthen marriage relationships, these programs are recommended: Couple Care, Great Start, Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment (A.C.M.E.), Positive Solutions, and World Wide Marriage Encounter are programs dedicated to strong marriage relationships.
For ideas on improved communication, check out Couple Communication.
A
Blessing Service for Children
This blessing service has
been adapted from the blessing service written by Kaye
Edwards, director of Family and Children's Ministries,
Disciples Home Missions, for the 1999 General Assembly
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) meeting
in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Christian Family Week
Christian Family Week in the United States is celebrated in May. Christian Family Week in Canada is celebrated in October. However, you and your church can celebrate Christian Week at anytime of the year.
For many years Ecumenical Christian Family Week materials were developed and produced by a committee of the National Council of Christian Churches in the United States. The materials were then distributed to local churches through participating denominations. Due to lessening funds, this resource is no longer available. However, back issues of relevant material are still available on-line at http://www.ncccusa.org/elmc/familyministries.htm#fam.
This year, the Office of Family and Children’s Ministries is highlighting some nationally organized programs that help families engage with other families in supportive ways. We hope you will celebrate Christian Family Week by offering a helping hand to other families.
Please contact Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children’s Ministries, (434) 832-1119, if you have questions or suggestions.
