As we conclude our annual Stewardship Campaign and move into the holiday season, we are highlighting the work of GC|RH ministries and community groups with a series of blog posts based on informal interviews with group leaders. Despite the many challenges of this year, GC|RH community members continue to find ways to connect to God, the earth, and each other and to pursue commitments to spiritual growth, environmental justice, and anti-racism work. Read on to learn more and discover how you can participate in the vital work of GC|RH.
Interview with Janie Beck Kreider, Children’s Ministry Leader
Emily Wright: How did you first get involved with the children’s ministry?
Janie Beck Kreider: I first started working with Kate Lichti (former youth minister) in 2019 when we noticed that, as our community was growing, there was a need for something geared specifically toward children 10 and under. We developed a simple liturgy that we could do with the children during the sermon portion of worship.
Our vision was to create a space just for kids that was age and developmentally appropriate, so we incorporated the senses with things like a candle and a bell and passing prayer stones. We read from Desmond Tutu’s Storybook Bible. We also focused on asking open-ended questions and connecting our discussion with seasonal celebrations.
EW: What is the overall aim of the children’s ministry?
JBK: To nurture the faith of young children and help them develop positive relationships with our faith community. We also want to provide opportunities to support parents in this process.
EW: How has the pandemic shifted programming for children’s ministry?
JBK: It’s been very challenging because so many kids are already saturated with online activities. We’ve focused more on ways to connect during outdoor worship which gives us a natural opportunity to experiment with creative ideas for programming. We’ve also concentrated on supporting parents and families as they navigate this season. We sent wildflower seeds for planting at Easter, we celebrated the fall harvest by foraging apples and making our own cider, and we’ve shared resources for parents to discuss antiracism work with their kids.
EW: What motivated you to move into the role of children’s minister?
JBK: I’m a relatively new parent myself with an almost 2-year-old son and another on the way. Parenting has given me a new awareness of the experience of faith through the eyes of young children, and it motivated me to think about how Grace Church can meet the needs of young families. I’ve enjoyed creating space for kids to develop an awareness of God’s love, and how we can all share that love with one another.
EW: How can people get involved in children’s ministry?
JBK: I periodically send out emails to families with children 10 and under, so anyone that wants to be added to that list can contact me at janiemb@gmail.com. We also welcome volunteers to help with outdoor activities!