Hug Bugs

The Rev. Karen Estes of Tuskawilla Presbyterian Church in Oviedo, Florida, writes: Our most popular youth fund-raiser for summer trips is “Hug Bugs.” We buy little pom-pom critters with “Jesus Loves Me” printed on them. Then before or after worship the young people deliver the hug and the bug to any member of the congregation who makes a donation toward their summer trip. The youth learn the names of other church members when they deliver their hugs. It is heartwarming to see members covered with “Hug Bugs.” Our young people sometimes anonymously deliver bugs to some of the older members who may not have been able to make a donation. It is a lot of fun that shows Christ’s unconditional love among the family of God. This is an especially good idea for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Bible Blast

Has your congregation ever hosted a church fair? The folks at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Virginia, were thrilled with the outcome of theirs. Susan Graceson, director of children’s ministry, explains:

“Last year we had a festival called Bible Blast. We billed it as a ‘festival of fun and fellowship for all ages.’ It was basically a Christian carnival, open to children both in our congregation and in the neighborhood surrounding the church. We had it on our huge front lawn. We had a moon bounce, Bible-oriented games (such as Render unto Caesar Penny Pitch, David and Goliath Rock Throw, and Ten Plagues Mystery Box), a balloon animal booth, a face-painting booth, and lots of opportunities for the kids to win lots of prizes. The most popular game was the Stump the Pastors Dunking Booth! Bible Blast was a great success and required a fairly low budget. The adults (mostly non-parents) ran it. Our Fellowship Team provided light refreshments.”

There is no right or wrong way to do it—design your church’s festival for summer, spring, fall, or winter; set up on the lawn or in the fellowship hall. Just pitch in and have a blast!

Parents’ Night Out

Several years ago at the request of our new senior pastor, the Rev. Max E. Reddick, we at Fountain City Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, started a program called Parents’ Night Out (PNO). The third Friday of each month, parents who are signed up for the co-op program bring their children, and those parents take turns keeping the children here at the church from 6:00 until 9:30 p.m.

We have enough children signed up right now that we have two sets of parents keeping the children each month, and they only have to do it twice a year. That means they get ten date nights each year for free.

We divide the children into 4 groups—infants; toddlers; 3’s and 4’s; and 5 and older. Infants just get held and loved, and toddlers do their thing—playing and walking around.

When weather permits, 3’s and 4’s and older ones generally stay outside and play until dark; other times they watch a movie. They stay in rooms also used by our daycare, so there are lots of things to do: free play, arts and crafts, and games. We read to them. The parents in charge bring a snack and juice for everyone of toddler age and older.