Our 100 Faith Chests

Our Faith Chest Ministry is just one ministry within the Milestone Ministry that grew out of the Child in our Hand conference held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in 2003. Pastor Beth Warpmaeker asked Don Rice if he could assemble a faith chest kit which could be purchased from the Youth and Family Institute. With Pastor Beth’s encouragement and blessing, Don literally took things into his own hands. Don did a price comparison and determined that he could purchase lumber and make a chest for less money than using a kit. Now after six years, 100 faith chests have been built, stained, finished and delivered.

There is a community that participates in this inter-generational ministry. Don Rice builds the chests; Irmi Willcockson stained and finished the chests from 2003 until a couple of years ago when Liz Schaer took over, offering her finishing talents. Then each chest is delivered to the home by two Community of Hope Lay Chaplains. Beverly Davis, Bridget Jensen, Alice Oeben, Linda Schoene, Helen Viereck, Velma Rice and Don Rice have shared their gift of presence with 68 families.

The liturgy used for the presentation of the chests reflects the baptism vows and provides parents with specific rituals and language to be used in the home to celebrate the milestones of the child’s life. The faith chest can be used to store those sacred things one collects. The chest can also be used as an altar during the celebration of subsequent milestones, by lighting the baptismal candle and placing it on top of the chest while talking with the child about what has been given up and/or gained during a time of transition. A journal is also included so that parents, and later, the child can write about these experiences in his/her life.

Last updated: 2009-08-05