By Jeni Huff
One thing that makes my heart so happy is seeing how churches partner together through kids’ programming throughout the summer.
I see Church Together when churches offer their Vacation Bible School (VBS) decorations to other churches in the area who might have their VBS later in the summer. I smile when I see posts in Facebook groups of people sharing ideas, tips, and resources. It’s such a tangible way to be Church Together. My home church has our VBS next week and we were offered free rein of another church’s entire setup and extra craft supplies before they cleaned up, and it will make such a huge impact for our program and volunteers!
I see Church Together when churches partner together for ecumenical day camp for a week every summer. South Minneapolis Day Camp is happening this week, and it is “a progressive ecumenical day camp experience offering faith formation in a fun, safe, Christ-centered and relational setting.” This camp is sponsored by Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Bethel Lutheran, Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran, Calvary Lutheran, First Christian (Disciples of Christ), First Congregational UCC, Diamond Lake Lutheran, Judson Memorial Baptist, University Lutheran Church of Hope, Salem Lutheran Uptown, St. John’s Lutheran, Lyndale UCC, Lake of the Isles Lutheran, Nokomis Heights Lutheran, Living Table UCC, Lynnhurst UCC, Christ Church Lutheran, Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, Lake Nokomis Lutheran, and Messiah Lutheran. They have 109 Kindergarten – 8th graders, 20 high school mentors, 39 adult volunteers, and more than 15 church staff/pastors serving each day. Wow! What a cool way of partnering across denominations with a focus on Jesus and creating beloved community.
I see Church Together in the Synod’s Summer Youth Program. Mission Support dollars from Minneapolis Area Synod congregations help fund Summer Youth Program grants for summer programs in under-resourced neighborhoods and churches. Sometimes, the only way these churches can provide these transformational programs is through partnerships and by being Church Together.
I see Church Together when I see volunteers of all ages at these summer programs. At my church’s VBS, we have people serving who are as young as sixth grade all the way to our 82-year-old kitchen extraordinaire. Last year, Mavis* volunteered with snack prep and she told me that she volunteered because she doesn’t have kids or grandkids that are VBS age anymore and she wants to stay connected with what this generation is going through, learning, and needing prayer for. What a beautiful reason to volunteer.
We are officially into summer now, and summer stretch, day camp, and VBS programs are happening (and after that, many will start to think about fall programming). I encourage you and your congregation to think of ways you can be Church Together. Can you share resources with another congregation? Can you do some programs with another church nearby (like RALY in Richfield)? Can you share space with ecumenical partners (like SpringHouse and New Branches)? Or, more internally, can you encourage volunteers across the generations and find ways for everyone to get involved?
We’re better when we’re together.