Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund Archives

Q: Ministry in Action: Amberlea Presbyterian Church has a Big Heart for Children

"For we are God’s masterpiece." Ephesians 2:10 The congregation of Amberlea Presbyterian Church in Pickering, Ontario, has a big heart for children. The congregation (grant recipient of the Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund ) is reaching out to families through a monthly Messy Church program that offers children and caregivers an opportunity to learn about God in a relaxed, experiential environment. At each event, families receive dinner and partake in crafts and activities and biblical stories in a fun and interactive way. Believing that each child is uniquely created and loved by God, Amberlea also welcomes and supports families with children with exceptional needs. During their Sunday morning services, children are able to play, sing and learn about the Bible in an environment where their exceptional needs are met. The church has constructed a “sensory” room that provides a unique space and tools for children to experience God and worship in a way that is suited to their learning abilities. The church also provides a certified therapist to work with children with autism, enabling them to more fully participate. To learn more about Amberlea Presbyterian Church and their family ministry programs, visit amberleachurch.ca

Q: Ministry in Action: Messy Church Explores Faith and Christian Community in New Ways in Lucknow PC, ON

Nestled away in Southwestern Ontario is a small, rural church that’s creating a big splash in its local community. On the fourth Wednesday of every month, the basement of Lucknow Presbyterian Church (grant recipient of the Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund ) is bustling with the sound of children and families engaged in games and crafts. The event is called “ Messy Church ”, a new form of church designed to reach families who are unfamiliar with the church as well as those who are looking to explore faith and Christian community in a new way. The gathering begins with a welcome, followed by crafts, activities and games. There is a short celebration involving song, Biblical storytelling and prayer, and then everyone enjoys a prepared meal before departing with take-home materials. For Lucknow Presbyterian Church, what began as a small project two years ago has now grown into a successful program involving multiple ecumenical partnerships. Over the past year, more than 130 children and adults have attended Messy Church – and it continues to grow. Every month, the congregation welcomes new families with members ranging in age from under one to over eighty.

Q: Ministry in Action: Grant Enables Participation at Canada Youth 2018

Every second summer, hundreds of youth, young adults and youth leaders join together from across our denomination, and with guests from around the world, to celebrate their vibrant faith at Canada Youth (CY). CY 2018 was held July 2-7 in St. Catharines, ON. For Debbie Richard, a grant recipient of the Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund for Christian Educators, attending this year’s CY event was uplifting and inspiring and provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with youth from the Atlantic synod. As the Youth Leader at Summerside Presbyterian Church, Debbie says that the fun, fresh ideas that she learned at CY will help to shape her youth ministry’s plans going into the fall. As a long-time supporter of CY, Debbie also helped to run a workshop this year on Creative Prayer. The workshop offered new and creative forms of prayer, as well as some practical methods to make prayer a regular on-going part of attendees’ lives using. Did you attend Canada Youth this year? Tag us on Facebook if you have stories to share and check out photos from this year's CY here . Learn more about Debbie’s work at Summerside Presbyterian.

Q: Ministry in Action: Music Based Children's Program at Briarwood PC, Beaconsfield, QC

The congregation of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Beaconsfield, Quebec, believes music plays a key role in the discipleship of children. Briarwood received a grant from the Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund to develop a music-based program that encourages children to participate more fully in their weekly worship services. Through the program, kids are encouraged to work on technical music skills, such as reading music and note duration and use these newly developed skills to learn and play musical instruments in Briarwood’s contemporary praise band. In the fall, the congregation also awarded scholarships to two children who had participated in the music program. The program provides a wonderful opportunity to create long-term church participation for children and youth who see that their talents and abilities are recognized and valued by their church community. Learn more about Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

Ministry in Action: Amberlea Presbyterian Church has a Big Heart for Children
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Ministry in Action: Amberlea Presbyterian Church has a Big Heart for Children

Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips

Ministry in Action: Amberlea Presbyterian Church has a Big Heart for Children

Sylvia Brade2019-04-24T12:08:35-04:00March 24th, 2019|Categories: Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips|Tags: Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund, Ministry in Action|

Amberlea Presbyterian Church in Pickering, Ontario, has a big heart for children and is reaching out to families through a monthly Messy Church program.

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Ministry in Action: Messy Church Explores Faith and Christian Community in New Ways in Lucknow PC, ON
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Ministry in Action: Messy Church Explores Faith and Christian Community in New Ways in Lucknow PC, ON

Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips

Ministry in Action: Messy Church Explores Faith and Christian Community in New Ways in Lucknow PC, ON

Sylvia Brade2019-04-24T12:05:28-04:00January 28th, 2019|Categories: Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips|Tags: Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund, grant, Ministry in Action|

Every month, the basement of Lucknow Presbyterian Church, “Messy Church”, a new form of church helps families explore faith and Christian community.

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Ministry in Action: Grant Enables Participation at Canada Youth 2018
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Ministry in Action: Grant Enables Participation at Canada Youth 2018

Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips

Ministry in Action: Grant Enables Participation at Canada Youth 2018

Sylvia Brade2019-04-24T12:13:14-04:00January 28th, 2019|Categories: Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips|Tags: Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund, grant, Ministry in Action|

Every second summer, PCC grants help hundreds of youth, young adults and youth leaders join together to celebrate their vibrant faith at Canada Youth (CY).

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Ministry in Action: Music Based Children’s Program at Briarwood PC, Beaconsfield, QC
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Ministry in Action: Music Based Children’s Program at Briarwood PC, Beaconsfield, QC

Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips

Ministry in Action: Music Based Children’s Program at Briarwood PC, Beaconsfield, QC

Sylvia Brade2019-04-24T10:58:03-04:00January 28th, 2019|Categories: Creative Ministry Fund, Ministry Tips|Tags: Creative Ministry with Children and Youth Fund, Ministry in Action|

Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Beaconsfield, Quebec, developed a music-based program that encourages children to participate more fully in their weekly worship services.

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