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Old Friends, New Friends
by Donna Gaither
This summer, older members of your congregation can play a vital role in helping children and youth learn about the Christian faith. Here are some ideas:
- Invite older adults to get involved in vacation Bible school as teachers, activity or craft leaders, storytellers, or song leaders.
- Ask a team of older adults to serve as substitute teachers for Sunday school during one of the summer months. This gives regular teachers a break, while youth and children get to know older members.
- Encourage long-time members who know your congregation's history to be church "storytellers." Host a church "story night" where older members share memories of the church, photographs, games, and songs with children.
- Have children or youth classes interview older church members, including those unable to come to church or who are in nursing homes. Have children write the stories then read them to the interviewees to make sure the stories are accurate. The children might event want to compile a book.
Be creative in finding ways for older members to help tell their faith story to today's children and youth.
Donna Gaither is the director of the General Board of Discipleship's Learning Center. This article originally appeared in the February-March 1996 issue of Interpreter magazine, published by United Methodist Communications. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission.
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