October 2024

As you're planning your Sunday or mid-week lessons for the Thanksgiving season, here are 7 fun craft ideas for your kidmin that help kids develop an attitude of gratitude! More than just turkey coloring pages or a creative art project, these Thanksgiving-themed crafts will help kids focus their hearts and minds on being grateful! A Giant Group Poster - I saw this idea from Go Curriculum, and it seems so much fun! You just print a large poster of a coloring page at your local print store, then lay it out on a table and invite kids to color as a group! Find more details and download a free colorable poster from Go here. Gratitude Jars - These are a classic November idea. Give each child a jar or container of some kind, and let them decorate it. Provide a simple label and gratitude prompts like these for kids to cut and place in their jars....

As Florida and the southeast prepare for another hurricane to hit land in the next day or two, you may be wondering how you can best support the kids and families in your ministry as parents navigate talking with their kids about the hurricane(s) or experiencing them first-hand. Stephanie Cline, a children's minister in the Orlando, FL area, showed me the message she shared with her kids and families to support and encourage them as they prepare for the hurricane to hit. I thought it was full of great wisdom and reminders, even for those of us who may not be directly in the hurricane's path: Good afternoon, families! We are praying for you as you prepare today and tomorrow for Hurricane Milton. I know these times can seem scary and unsure. My flesh wants to focus on the temporary and unknown but I am reminded of Philippians 4:8,...