Faith Formation

Holy Week Resources for Families

Talking with children about the stories of Holy Week — the triumphal entry, the last supper, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection — can be difficult due to the heaviness and violence of the stories. Here are a few resources for talking with children about these stories in an age appropriate way.

Take a peek through Mary and the Gardener, Look-and-Find Easter Stories for Young Children, or Woven the next time you're at church. All three books are on the featured books cart in the Kids' Sensory Space. While we ask that books remain in the building for all to enjoy, you’re welcome to take them into the worship center with you or curl up with one in the living room or alcove when you’re on site.

Introducing the Kids' Sensory Space

Introducing the Kids' Sensory Space

Kids’ Sensory Space

You may have noticed that the Family Worship Room—Room 210 that opens up from our Welcome Center and Worship Center—has had a makeover! This room is now known as the Kids’ Sensory Space and is open for kids and their families for use during worship, between services, during faith formation programming like Faith Explorers, and more!

The Kids' Sensory Space is a place for kids to play and have fun! We believe that kids should be able to experience their faith through fun, creativity, and play. The Kids’ Sensory Space has a number of exciting features:

-The Sensory Wall. The Sensory Wall is full of different objects that kids can play with. The ping pong ball chute was designed by member Tim Strommen and allows kids to interact with the ball and watch as it travels along the chute. The rainbow panels have gears, knobs, mirrors, diverse textures, and other fun items for kids to interact with.

-The Reading Corner. The Reading Corner has board books, picture books, middle grade books, and young adult books along with comfy bean bag chairs for kids to cozy up and read a book. The books are on topics from faith to the Bible to diversity to learning about feelings.

-Play. There are building blocks, stuffed animals, and more for kids to use their imagination and play.

-Coloring and Creating. From crayons to coloring pages to Play-Doh and more, we have tables set up for kids to be able to color, draw, and engage with others.

-Contemplative and Prayer Features. We moved the worship bags and kids bulletins into the Kids’ Sensory Space. The bulletins are available in reader and pre-reader and feature coloring pages and activities related to the Bible lesson. The Worship Bags include a stuffed animal and fun activities kids can do in worship. There is also a labyrinth rug and prayer through coloring sheets in the space for kids to pray using their bodies and creativity.

-Sensory Needs. While the space is available for all kids, it was designed to center the diversity of kids with special sensory needs. The space is designed to be a calming, yet playful, space for all kids to use all of their senses and for kids with special sensory needs the room’s different stations can help kids self-regulate.

We invite you to explore the Kids’ Sensory Space next time you swing by for worship!

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Montana Youth Trip Update

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Monday - by hallie

Today we went on the high and low ropes courses which was super fun! I got to go down on a huge zip line.

On the downside, we did have to wear pants to go on the high ropes course, so it was really hot. To cool down we got some huckleberry ice cream from the camp canteen.

I am so grateful to be able to wake up in nature, as well as seeing a beautiful lake every day. I see God in the friends that I have made and in the sunshine shining on the lake here, and I am very grateful to have this opportunity.

Tuesday - by Carly

On Tuesday we started the morning with oatmeal and many delicious toppings. After getting ready for the day we walked over to launch our canoes and kayaks. It was windy, and after about an hour of paddling, the decision was made to turn around. Many struggled, and everyone was bummed about not having the picnic and swimming on the island. But to still somewhat stick with our plan, we went to a different beach to have our picnic. It was a beautiful turn around to a rough paddle. We then had devotion, bible study, and time at the camp store for ice cream. After that, we had a choice of disc golf, art, the basketball courts, and hammocking. The wind and water had calmed down then, and we were able to swim at the beach until we left to get dinner. The pasta dinner was wonderful with a side of great conversations and dessert. We ended the night with worship, highs, lows, and our God moments of the day all by the camp fire.

Wednesday - by adia

On day 4 of our trip we did different service projects throughout the camp. I painted picnic tables under the sun with some of my favorite people.

We kept our minds busy with music, riddles, games and jokes, and the whole mood was light and cheery.

I am so thankful for the fresh air, clean water, and the warm sun, but especially thankful for the incredible experiences and friendships made. I saw God in the smiles and laughter shared with this incredible group of people.

 

For more photos of the trip, check out their photo gallery HERE.

New Faith Explorers Curriculum

Beginning on April 12th for Wednesday Faith Explorers and April 16th for Sunday Family Faith Explorers, we will be learning about a very timely topic that deeply lives in the intersection of our faith and culture. The four-part lesson plan is called “Love and Justice” and will focus on how anti-racism and anti-bias training is an important part of our faith formation, and how racism, prejudice, and stereotypes go against the created diversity of God’s good creation.