Life at Park: Kids Ministry

Dear Park Avenue,

My fourth grade Sunday school teacher was named Mary. “Like the Mother of Jesus,” she explained to us matter-of-factly during the Christmas season. Mary was quite the character; she was about 136 years old (by my 10 year old estimate), and she was an avid woodworker and roller skater. She often brought in little figurines she had carved to illustrate the Bible stories she told us, involving us in her storytelling. She loved the Bible stories, and we grew to love them, too. Once, she fell roller skating and was out of commission for a few weeks.

Our little fourth grade class organized and met at her house, bringing her cupcakes to soothe her wound. There were two things we knew for sure about Mary: she loved Jesus, and she loved us.  

Some amount of years later (okay, maybe more than “some!”), I still own the wooden “Ann” she carved for me before I graduated to the fifth grade Sunday school class. It is a symbol of the legacy of faith that I stand on- a “great cloud of witnesses,” as the unknown author of Hebrews describes it.

Research from the Fuller Institute a few years ago explained that if a child can name five adults from church who have actively invested in them by the age of 18, they are likely to continue spiritual growth beyond their high school years.

When you rock a baby, help elementary kids with a craft, or lead a high school game on Wednesday nights, you are making a faith investment that will outlast you. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: your faith will grow, too! 

If you are interested in joining any of our family ministry teams this fall, please reach out to Annie at anntaylor@parkavechurch.org. There are many different ways to join us, from small group leaders to prepping materials to bringing dinner on Wednesday nights. We’d love to have you as a part of the legacy of faith for our amazing group of kids and youth! 

Blessings, 

Rev Annie