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Summer Ministry/Activity Ideas
Summer Slump or Bump!
No matter what the age
summer indicates a change of pace and schedules for individuals. And so it is
with the church. But it need not be a “slump” time for the congregation. Summer
is a time to try new formats for education. For example, Sunday School can
easily continue but with a different format or curricula. Give the September -
May teachers a break and invite teams of adults or young adults to be leaders
for the summer, a month, or for select individual Sundays.
Summer is a time for
short term ministry projects. Or take advantage of pleasant weather to create
open door opportunities for people new to the community and/or church. [Summer
is often the time when people look for a congregation.]
Some
options to consider:
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Sunday School with a
different format [group grading, inter-generational, or workshop
rotational]
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For those using
the curricula LIFE TOGETHER, try the summer quarter of Seasons of
the Spirit, also a lectionary based curricula. Seasons of the
Spirit also has a MULTI-AGE format for small but diverse age group
settings.
- A unit on the
parables, miracles or Bible heroes would provide continuity while at the
same time give participants the ability to ‘miss’ a session without
disrupting the flow of study.
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Adults may
welcome a change also.
-Try
mini-series or stand-alone discussion groups for summer Sundays.
-Invite individuals to share a hobby or craft and reflect on how they
live out
their faith with that hobby or activity.
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Invite adults to be the ‘story-teller’ or dramatic reader for
children’s summer Sunday School.
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Day Camps - By the day or
week focusing on music, the arts, peace-making, clown, puppetry or other
themes in addition to VBS.
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Service Camps - Provide
opportunities for youth, families or adults to spend concentrated time
in a near-by neighborhood or across the country in: building or clean-up
projects, hunger programs, mini-camp experiences in low income areas,
etc.
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Awareness Activities -
Outdoor worship, neighborhood picnic and open house, recreational
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A
variety of resources are available to assist you in planning. For example:
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Adventures in Summer
School -
This curricula
can work in a wide variety of settings. The educational time starts out
with a Bible story presentation and then suggests a wide variety of
correlating activities that can be done in small groups. Rotate
storytellers and activity leaders and everyone feels comfortable in
participating.
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The Story
Keepers
– This video series with suggested activities can provide the
foundation for summer Sunday School.
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Several
congregations in past years have used the summer to learn about other
cultures. A “passport” is issued and people are encouraged to attend
each week and get their “passport” stamped for a different country.
Natives or guests of specific countries share experiences or stories of
their culture. Related crafts, games, songs or food are then experienced
by the participants. Adults can also participate or do a study on other
religions. Summer Sunday School offerings may go to a specific country
or Lutheran World Relief.
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A Guide to Peace-making
Activities – Activities for a variety of ages. |
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Family Friendly Ideas Your
Church Can Do -
Trinity, Jeromesville
found this to be an excellent program resource. Volunteer leaders
picked a Sunday and an activity for the inter-generational Sunday School
hour using this
book. |
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Exploring Summer
Ministries - A
guide for developing a summer ministry program beyond SS or VBS.
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Sensational Learning
Centers – Activities for intergenerational events.
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Beyond Leaf Raking:
Learning to Serve/Serving to Learn
- Excellent guide for servant projects. |
-"End of the Rainbow" Party
-Here’s an idea from Peace, Canton. At the last regular Sunday School session of
the season focus on covenants with related rainbow activities. Then have each
child complete a form and draw a name for their secret "rainbow connection" for
the summer. For a sample of the form and more details contact the synod resource
center.
-Pre-Rally Day Event -
In
August, have a Grandparent’s Sunday. Have grandparents invite their
grandchildren or ‘adopt’ a neighborhood child for a “Grandparents Day”. Use
grandparent/grandchild combinations for greeters, acolytes, ushers and lectors.
During the educational hour have an intergenerational event that involves young
and old. Have an old fashioned picnic and games for everyone to enjoy. Take
duplicate pictures of grandparents/and grandkids together. Send pictures with
grandparents to later send or give to the younger generation along with
encouragement to participate in the new Sunday School year in their local
congregation. [Parents should be invited and included in the day but the
emphasis is on the 3rd generation.]
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