Dear Friends,
Over the past year, there has been an ongoing conversation about how we can care for our children here at Trinity when it comes to spiritual formation. This is something close to my heart, and it is not because I have a kid here. When I first started volunteering and working for churches, it was in children’s ministry. Providing a safe space for children to learn who they are in Jesus is an incredibly important part of caring for the church body. We started down the road earlier this year when we hired Ms. Wendi to staff our nursery. She’s been a great addition to our team.
We are now ready to take the next step by expanding what we offer for our 1st – 5th grade kids. Starting Sunday, September 16, we plan to launch Trinity Kid’s Sunday School. What would it take to do this?! Great question, and this is where you come in!:
- 12 volunteers who would serve in pairs (2) in a single classroom
- Volunteers serve once every 6 weeks
- Parents can be volunteers; other parishioners especially welcome!
Here’s the support and training Trinity will provide:
- Safe Church training (required) – either in-person here in My Brother’s Place at Trinity on Saturday, September 7, from 9:00 – 12:30 am. Childcare, coffee & refreshments provided. Or,
- Online Safe Church training (required). Register by contacting Heather at the Parish Office – heather@trinitytoledo.org
- Sunday lessons from Illustrated Ministry curriculum detailing the story, craft, prayer, and expectations for each week.
- Classroom materials and supplies
- Snacks
Here’s how a typical Sunday morning would go for that week’s volunteers:
- Volunteers of the week meet parents and kids in the sanctuary where kids are “dropped off” to them.
- At 10:05, one volunteer leads the kids upstairs to the Parish House classroom; the other brings up the rear to make sure no kids wander off.
- The volunteers lead the kids through a game, a Bible story, a craft related to the story, and a snack
- When the lesson is finished (10:40 am), the volunteers and kids return to the sanctuary where they meet their parents during the passing of the peace.
- Kids then stay with their parents for the rest of the service.
We are excited to have a number of children worshiping with us. I know we have at least 12 volunteers who will help us kick off Trinity Kids’ Sunday School on September 16 because whenever there is an ask here, Trinity shows up! Is God calling you to this ministry?
This has been a banner year for Trinity Episcopal Church as we have launched and sustained new ministries and have seen growth during a transition period. The way y’all continue to show up to support and be present is not something I have ever experienced before in a house of worship. I am so honored to be here serving with and for y’all. If there are any questions, or if I can clarify anything, please reach out and ask me.
Grace and peace,
George Benson (he, him)
Director of Community Engagement
george@trinitytoledo.org