Community Presbyterian Church — St. Maries, Idaho Our after-school celebrations began with a pizza party! In Dec. 2017, we scheduled the Christmas program rehearsal party for right after school. Since the church is two blocks from the grade school, the children walked to the church. After the party, the children wanted more pizza and more parties! So, in Jan. 2018, the first after-school “Celebration of God’s Love” was held as an experiment. We thought, “Let’s just see how this goes.” But by August, the Christian education team was planning themed celebrations for the entire school year! Now, once a month, children walk to the church after school to hear Scripture and a short message from the pastor, sing, participate in a science or craft activity, play games and enjoy a full meal. Everything is based on the Scripture and theme of the celebration. Four years ago, we couldn’t hold a children’s program because we had one child in church. Now, we’ve seen God bring new … [Read more...]

Green Acres Presbyterian Church – Portsmouth, Virginia Danish and Devotions is our nursing home visitation project. Having five residents at a nearby retirement community, it seemed logical to find a way to visit with all five on pastoral visitation days. An alternative to visiting each resident was to somehow get them together to enjoy fellowship and create new friendships. Working with the church’s congregational care committee, we set up a day to meet in the activity room of the center. It was suggested that snacks be provided, and thus, the “Danish” part of the name. All five attended with the pastor and an elder of the committee. A time of catching up on each other’s lives was followed by a time of prayer. The pastor shared a devotional and fellowship time followed. The initial Danish and Devotions was seen as something of value and future dates were set for the gathering. Danish and Devotions is held about every six weeks and the gathering has grown as other residents, … [Read more...]

Church of the Covenant — Arlington, Virginia What’s right about Church of the Covenant? We’ve got rhythm. The church’s children’s drum ensemble and adult choir led worship together during our first-ever Kids Music Sunday on March 3. Our intergenerational worship leaders taught the congregation a special handshake to help pass the peace, added percussion to our hymns and performed a joint anthem together. And the music isn’t stopping anytime soon! We’re passionate about finding new ways to keep God’s rhythm together and to use that music to get to know our neighbors. Last year, that has looked like a community karaoke party, pumpkin caroling and making music with our weekly afterschool Christian education program. In the months ahead, we’ll keep the beat with a s’mores and campfire sing-a-long, a neighborhood arts worship service and a music and meditation hike. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by — and grab a drum. — Billy Kluttz, community music and arts … [Read more...]

West Plano Presbyterian Church — Plano, Texas Five years ago, the worship and formation ministry team at West Plano Presbyterian Church launched a re-imagining of Vacation Bible School. They gathered a planning team and designed an expeditionary, experiential camp for children ages 3 to entering fifth grade. Last summer, we welcomed 40 campers from the congregation and community for a three-day camp experience at no charge to participants. Each year, the planning team, working with pastor David Batchelder, develops a camp experience with a different focus. The theme for 2018 was “God’s Love, Our Hands,” emphasizing that God’s power acts through the community’s hands and that we are in solidarity with God. We incorporate music, Scripture, prayer, stories, mission, baking, gardening and crafts that help form kids’ faith. Young children, youth helpers and adult volunteers experience and learn together so that at the end of the camp, all have shared in the formation. – Jenny … [Read more...]

Presbytery of the James — Virginia Following the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Presbytery of the James (POJ) adopted a statement denouncing white supremacy, which reaffirmed the presbytery’s commitment to racial justice and healing. This led to the formation of a 10-member working group called “Dismantling Racism: Building Beloved Community.” That group has teamed up with Coming To the Table (a nonprofit organization promoting racial healing) and Joyful Feast (a new worshipping community in the presbytery) to offer monthly opportunities for cross-cultural meals and conversation. In January, the working group sponsored a retreat with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove to discuss his book, “Reconstructing the Gospel: Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion.” The retreat was attended by 47 church leaders from 14 congregations. Thanks to a grant from the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, the Dismantling Racism group will partner with eight churches this fall to pilot … [Read more...]