by Pastor Beth Warpmaeker
The Child In Our Hands conference sponsored by the Melanchthon Institute on February 28 to March 1, 2003, was a great success. Many thanks go to Donna Pierce for her very hard work, the office staff who worked extra hours, the many volunteers who decorated, baked cookies, videotaped, and hosted guests.
There were 27 people who attended the conference from Christ the King Church out of a total of 167 people from 32 different congregations in the synod. Those in attendance were given important, practical tools for visioning, strengthening and implementing faith formation in the children of God. Emphasis was placed on the partnership that needs to take place between the home and the congregation. The home is the single most significant place in which faith is taught and "caught". In the home it is important to use the four keys to nurture faith: caring conversations, family devotions, family rituals and traditions, and family service. The congregation's role then is to support, nurture and provide resources for this teaching that is already taking place. One way to do this is for the congregation to recognize and mark certain milestone events in the faith and life journey of every individual.
For me, the most exciting part of the conference took place during the congregational break out session. Twenty members of Christ the King Church gathered in the Council Room and showed much enthusiasm and energy for implementing the milestones in the congregation, increasing the Wednesday family night activities, expanding the home and family resources, and providing mentoring relationships for our children and youth. Another meeting was held on March 30 to further expand and plan these ministries.
If you are interested in becoming involved in any way to help the work toward our third mission goal, please contact me at the church office.