service idea

Another community service/outreach activity for kids when you're pondering God's creation or mercy & justice. [for a big or small church]

If your local Humane Society/SPCA/Animal Control organization has a Wish List, kids can collect items or raise money. Sometimes they accept gift cards for volunteers and staff, too.

Something like this might be a non-religious activity that would appeal to friends from school or other people in your neighborhood.

Magazines and related thoughts

As long as we're talking about magazines, there are LOTS of Christian magazines and other high quality magazines out there for kids. They each have a different focus, and they're generally (within about 3 years) age specific .

They cost money and they're consumable but they often appeal to kids who aren't crazy about reading long books. (and Babybug is actually done in a boardbook format for babies.) Many of the stories and articles are relatively short. They're often content specific. They're usually have great visuals. AND you can cut the old ones up and use them for crafts!

Consider a lending library or just a basket of used children's books and magazines specifically for kids. Expect them to get battered, bruised, and used. Some of our libraries in the city have a "Bring one, take one" rack. Probably lower maintainance than a lending library.

I also think Rochester once had a toy lending library.

Just some ideas for communities (large or small) looking to simplify their individual lives, still taking advantage of all the stimulating resources out there.

I suppose it could also work as an outreach tool to the community, open Saturday mornings 10 to 2 or something. (Depending on your neighborhood.)

New Magazine (ages 2-6)

If you're a fan of the magazine Highlights for Kids, the Highlights people are launching a new magazine for kids ages 2-6: High Five (Celebrating Early Childhood).

34 pages. Big. Bold. Colorful. Fun read-aloud stories, crafts and simple movement activities all encouraging the sense of childlike wonder, creative thinking, and life-long learning we've come to recognize as typical Highlights style.

Way to go, Highlights!!

formed...transformed...

One of the challenges for children's ministry (probably any ministry) is the desire to see God working in people's lives. I googled "children transformed lives" on Google. Interesting list of transforming influences. Then I added "Christ" and here are some interesting finds for you:

A church where the pastor sees lives transformed. What's interesting here is that the adult focus seems to be transformation and the child focus seems to be character formation. That sounds like fodder for an interesting discussion if you're willing to share your thoughts.

Quote:
"But transformational ministry grows out of people who are being changed. “Transformed Lives” starts with each of us – staff, missionaries, the board ... you."

You can only tell so much from a website but this is a very impressive list of ministries transforming the lives of children and families. It came up because this is on their website: "We believe encounters with Jesus Christ transform lives." Explore the site, the work they're doing is inspiring.

This is an inspirational article for Youth ministry from Group.

This is
Josh McDowell's newsletter . I've not read his stuff in a very long time but he's definately focusing on the transforming power of Christ. But he also sees postmodern thinking as a stumbling block for youth? Any thoughts about this?

Local - this weekend

If anyone is local and interested, this free conference coming to Rochester this weekend. The focus is Community Solutions for At-Risk Students with a focus on family, school, and faith-based organizations working together for the sake of their children.

This is also the weekend of the Rochester Children's Book Festival.