Our senses are heightened when we step away for retreat. We wait in anxious expectation of sounds, smells, and sights which are different than our everyday. It reminds me of Abram called by God from his land of Ur (usual routine.) But it’s the people that we meet while away that stick in my memory most.

At the 5th grade Rock Solid Retreat on the beautiful campus of Camp Glisson, our students are prepared through workshop and practices for their next season as they transition not only from elementary to middle school, but also from children’s ministry to youth/student ministry. The connections with mine and other’s kids are different, slower, deeper, funnier. The connections are just….more.

One of the great delights of retreat is connecting with other champions of children’s ministry. As we walk outside, wake up to Mandisa’s “Good Morning” in the girl’s cabin, and take fantastic meals ‘family style’ with others, I get to hear their stories. Stories of their journey to director of children’s ministry at their church. Stories of how a student has overcome life challenges. Stories of exciting family events coming up. Stories of clarity for what one will do next year. Stories of grandparents who used to come to Camp Glisson so many years ago. Oh, the testimonies of old and new friends in the Lord.

This time we were invited to travel with a church we often partner with for special events like Splish Splash and Winter Ball. Our kids and chaperones make deep connections with hers. I’m the last one down at night in our cabin to be sure everyone is snoozing. She’s the first one up to take them hiking in the falls before breakfast. She brings cookies. I bring a wireless speaker for cabin dance parties. A chaperone from the third church represented in our cabin was a hairdresser. There was a line of 5th grade girls chatting and laughing waiting to get their hair braided.

There is so much more to an away retreat than curriculum and food…though both were fabulous. When I go on retreat, I seek out those I already know and see only online for a hug, a cup of tea, a conversation. When I go on retreat, I especially seek out those new-to-me. I ask a couple of questions. I make a new friend. I hear testimonies of champions. I hear how God is alive and active in their calling. I hear of challenges and celebrations. I hear delights and sighs and laughter. It feeds me and helps me to grow in my ‘champion-ness.’ What are you doing to build connection with other champions?

“There are essentially two things that will change your life – the books you read and the people you meet.” – Charles Tremendous Jones

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Fifth graders in February are closer to sixth grade than most moms wish to admit. Many will be transitioning not only to middle school, but also from children’s ministry to youth ministry. Transitions can be no big deal for some students and completely terrifying for others even with the most intentional training-up. How can we help? A winter retreat for fifth graders.

The North Georgia United Methodist Church conference presented a retreat specific to and only for fifth graders at Camp Glisson just a couple of weeks ago. We arrived early in time for hiking and setting up cabins which we shared with other amazing local churches. Half expecting to hear about when we would be ziplining, swimming, or high swinging, not one time did my students wish to be somewhere else or to be doing something else.

We attended workshops specific to kid-friendly spiritual practices.  They learned and practiced multiple prayer positions from a pastor in camo with a heavy leaning toward Star Wars. They learned to communicate at all decibel levels and listen for the wisest voices that will get them to their goals. The activities and debriefing was inviting and done especially well in small groups. Not wanting to give away all the details, THIS event has best prepared my fifth graders to take on the next season with a greater confidence.

We attended multiple worship services with teaching elements led my Chuck Bell. Chuck is amazing at involving multiple worship preferences in a service beyond the music component. He also led a workshop on worship to offer students the chance to discover their own personal worship style preferences AND learn to appreciate other’s preferences. He used video, storytelling, and small group teaching. He even led each group to be prepared to participate in the remaining worship services in liturgy, music, motions, visuals, voice, and so much more. He invited the students to interpret a music video from Bethel kids that was spot-on in helping them grow their ‘fearless’ muscles.

I had multiple favorite moments, quick visual pictures in my head, and enjoyed amazing conversations. During our ‘cabin visit’ we shared time and space outside with another local church we do a ton of things with giving our students a chance to talk, pray, and give their hearts, minds, hands, and feet to Jesus. I mean, how can we do these intensive practices of giving our hearts, minds, hands, and feet to Jesus and not give them a chance to do just that? A place and a date for some. A reminder and another step forward for others.

HUGE difference from the first worship service on Saturday morning to the last on Sunday morning. During the first service, students looked around to do what they saw others doing…formal…cautious…reserved.  By the last service, students prayed in multiple positions. Students sang in multiple ways (voice, motions, movement, etc.) Students received communion and reminder bracelets to take home. Students were writing their contact info in other’s notebooks to stay connected. Made me smile.

We will go again next year. I can’t imagine missing it. Last Sunday’s worship at home was different with the students who attended. We were all so very comfortable in our own worship-style-preference-skin. We smiled at one another across the sanctuary. Pure sweetness. Will you join us next year?

“This day flew by.” C. Reed, WC 5th grader
“I’ll never forget this day as long as I live, Ms. DeDe.” A. Smith, WC 5th grader

Our church chooses a scripture focus for each year. The 2017 focus is based on Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” With my personal challenge of offering more testimony time in each setting for my kids, each month we will be inviting Titus 2 men and women of our church to speak to our students during Sunday school.

Titus 2 speaks of older men teaching the younger men and older women teaching the younger women in the church. The students won’t know who is coming, so we’ve called it “Titus 2 Mystery Guest Sunday”. Each person will be invited to share how they ‘shine the light of Jesus’ before others to glorify their Father in heaven. After each Titus 2 mystery guest gives testimony of how they came to know Jesus and shine His light in their world, the students will be invited to respond with a task, activity, or expected follow up.

Some of the folks we will invite will be a trustee, a gardener, a baker, a person who regularly volunteers anywhere and everywhere, a college student who goes on short-term mission trips, an Eagle Scout candidate working on his project, and others.

I want my kids to see how God uses His light within each of us to do good deeds to glorify our Heavenly Father. I want my kids to know they will always have a way to be in ministry and mission where they are with the gifts and graces they have today. I also want my kids to know the saints of their church…who probably attend another service…who probably don’t sit at their table on Souper Bowl Sunday…who they’ll never know unless they get some face time. I also want the saints of their church to know the children running in the hallways, accolyting in the worship service, and to know the names of those coming up behind them. They may also be more inclined to serve in ministry with children if they get a chance to look into their big brown eyes, hear their giggles, and answer their questions.

Our first Titus 2 Mystery Guest was Ms. Meg. She is part of the team of We Care. We Care provides meals for the sick, writes cards for the shut-ins, and coordinates receptions for bereaved families. After her testimony, the children were invited to write letters to two members of their church who just got home from a hospital stay.

Each church is filled with Titus 2 men and women. Who will you invite to tell their story of shining the light of Jesus in their world?

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Lynley Jones of Asbury UMC in Lafayette, Louisiana is a KidMin Ninja and incredibly creative in how she shares Jesus with little people.  Thanks to this dear colleague who shared pictures and her organizational tricks with me, WC Academy started the first of four life skill classes for 1st-5th graders. WC Academy is a free community outreach of WCKids. We created the event on Eventbrite for free registration and to gather information of ages, names, and emails for a Friday night 6-7:30pm.

5pm: Volunteers arrived for training and set up (needed every minute of it)

6-6:10pm: Arrival games in the Children’s Hallway

6:10-30pm: Amazing volunteers (3 middle school youth and 3 adults) introduced themselves and told an interesting fact about themselves. We then welcomed and gave instructions.

6:30pm: Students received packets of handouts (all found on pinterest and noted below) to be used at each station and began rotating every 10 minutes.

After the 3rd rotation, we gathered for hot chocolate and I shared the story of Jesus making the Leper clean from Mark 1:40-42…including the shouting of “UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!” Jesus makes us clean on the inside. Then we finished the last two rotations.

7:15pm: Huddled to give testimony about what we learned, favorite station, and what we can’t wait to demonstrate as soon as they get home. Handed out certificates (what’s an Academy without certificates?) and celebrated with an all-hands-in cheer at dismissal.

Folding Clothes Station: My adult daughter does this ninja-tshirt-folding-thing and sock-roll that totally amazed each student. Yep…one of their favorite stations. We received texts from parents later that night about students teaching their parents how to properly fold clothes! Supplies: kid sized tshirts and white tube socks.

Dusting/Sweeping Station: Set up in the corner of the room with a little baby cornstarch (with lavendar for obvious reasons) and Lego bricks to dust. Then to sweep up what fell on the floor. A huge mess by the end of the night, but with all the wet towels and washcloths from the dishwashing station, the students cleaned up the floors pretty well. Supplies: Baby Cornstarch, a few Lego bricks, 2 brooms, washcloths.

Bed Making Station: Set a twin top mattress on a long table and had the Eagle Scout teach how to make the bed with hospital corners. Interesting fact: Not one of our kids knew the bottom sheet was called a ‘fitted sheet.’ Supplies: twin top mattress (put out a request on facebook), mattress cover/case, top sheet, fitted sheet, pillow, pillow case.

Dishwashing Station: Learned the order in which dishes should be handwashed and how to load a dishwasher. We used a single sink and a dish drainer. Supplies: Dish drainer, bowl, silverware, 2 glasses, saucer, washcloths, dish detergent, gloves.

Ironing Station: Set up two ironing boards in an adjacent room with irons on lowest setting and ironed a washcloth first. Using the directions in the packet, students ironed a dress shirt and hung it on a hanger. Supplies: 2  ironing boards, iron, hangers, two dress shirts, 2 washcloths.

Next month: Basic cooking.

“A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Mark 1:40