Over the last several years families have been participating in our ministry called —The Milestone Ministry for Children and Families. This ministry recognizes meaningful moments in our children’s lives and helps families mark and honor them in their faith journey. We have celebrated Milestones such as our children’s baptism, entering the Church School program, worshipping with our families, and receiving Bibles as third graders.
This ministry is family focused. Recognizing that the home is the primary place for faith formation, each family is given "helps" to guide their children as they journey with God. There have been family celebrations here at church centered on specific milestones. A special gift has been given to the children to mark the milestone. And a guide has been given to each family to use at home.
The idea of celebrating faith milestones is nothing new. God often directed the people to build up stones to remind them of God's place in their lives. Upon crossing into the Promised Land, God spoke to the people:
"Take twelve smooth stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan...and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight. ....when your children ask in time to come, "What do those stones mean to you?" then you shall tell them..." Joshua 4
We invite all families to participate in our Milestone Ministry this year. Here is a brief schedule of our planned events. More details will go out to each family as the event is near.
| Milestone Ministry | Gift | Event |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Faith Chest, dove milestone, baptism candle | Parent gathering to decorate Faith Chest, semi-annually following a child’s baptism |
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|
Letter, candle milestone | |
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Letter, praying hands milestone | |
|
4 year and young 5’s |
Lamb and shepherds staff milestone, small treasure chest | Get-acquainted session for entering 4 year olds the week before Church School starts in the fall. Early September |
|
Kindergarten and older |
Bread and cup milestone, Great Prayer card, Communion bookmark | Communion Workshop January |
|
1st grade |
1st Pres church milestone, church passport, church treasure hunt book | Family potluck early in church school year. Mid September |
 2nd grade |
Shell milestone | Spring |
 3rd grade |
Bible milestone, Good News Bible, Books of the Bible bookmark, Bible treasure hunt | Giving of Bibles in worship, family event following. Fall |
 4th and 5th grade |
Heart/person milestone, “Amazing Stuff” study | 5 week classes for children and parents. Winter |
 5th grade |
heart/hand milestone | Spring event focusing on a shared mission event such as feeding the hungry |
