Family Ministries
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
We believe it’s important to bring our families together to continually develop our relationships among one another while providing our children and youth with positive experiences. Therefore, we offer many opportunities for you to share an experience with NWUMC families. These are always great opportunities for new families to experience NWUMC and all it has to offer as well as a chance to meet new people.
Some of our scheduled events include: a Friday night Dinner and Movie, which includes a potluck dinner and a family friendly movie, and prizes; Family Camp, which is a fun overnight at Lutheran Memorial Camp geared for families of any age and size; a themed dinner, such as our Night of Magic and Mystery; and a family canoe outing. We also offer holiday themed events such as our Trick or Trunk Fall Festival and our Easter Eggstravaganza.
To find our next event, check the NWUMC calendar or contact pamb@nwumc.com, kharris.nwumc@gmail.com or naomis@nwumc.com.
Family Time Tips
Faith Conversations
Because our kids are in Sunday School for only about 1 hour per week, it is important for you to open conversations at home about your faith. Whether this is a time set aside weekly that looks similar to a family devotion, a conversation about the Bible story that was discussed in Sunday School, or sharing with your family where you’ve seen God or Jesus during the day, discussing your faith with your family helps your child understand the importance of the Bible and your faith in your life. It helps them establish a foundation that will carry them through their life. You may already incorporate these ideas, so you are already at work. If not, it is never too late to start! Here are some tips:
What are you praying about? Someone shared with me that as they gather daily at the dinner table, each person tells what they are praying about for the day. When they aren’t able to sit down together (which is often), the missing person needs to write their request on a white board in the kitchen. This small practice has helped her know her children and their hearts in a terrific way!
God Sightings This is a term your kids may have heard during VBS. God is working around us every day, all day long, especially in the “ordinary” moments of our lives. We don’t always slow down enough to see Him clearly. But when we do, we are certainly blessed! Sharing these important moments with our children is a great affirmation of our faith. God sightings may be witnessing or receiving the kindness of a stranger or a friend; experiencing a sunset, a rainbow, the vastness or power of the ocean; forgiveness; and laughter. Hopefully you will begin to notice these things with your child and talk about them.
Faith Talks Planning a specific time for your family to gather around a scripture focus is not as challenging as you might think. It can be something as organized as a family devotion around the kitchen table; or as simple as taking a walk together to the park, a trip for ice-cream or any other creative time you can schedule together. You may have the same experiences that I do with my family: it doesn’t always work, and it isn’t always perfect. But creating an intentional time to discuss your faith is an important part of your child’s faith foundation and provides a wonderful opportunity to talk about how God is at work in each of our lives.
Here are a couple of links for Family Meal Time devotions. Get comfortable with working them into your style and what works for your family. Mark Driscoll's Family Dinner Devotions or Family Meal Time Devotions. Remember, once a week is a great start - don't stress over a perfect schedule.
Get Creative What works for one family isn’t always the best option for another family, so be creative in your ideas. There are many resources available to help you with Faith Conversations. Columbus has Cokesbury and Lifeway Christian bookstores that allow you to get a look and feel for what is out there. www.group.com is a great online resource, and a quick internet search will turn up many others. For your ap friendly phone, try Homefront by method aps. “A Spiritual Parenting Resource and a FREE monthly magazine that gives parents ideas on how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—even in the midst of their busy lives.”
