Thanking your Children's Volunteers during a full service like Christmas Eve is better than any little note or gift you may give to them. Volunteers don't do it for the recognition, but it is always lovely to hear a heartfelt thank you for your time. When you do it at a full Christmas Eve service during an already scheduled children's moment, you get publicly acknowledged and draw attention to the continued opportunity the whole church has to serve the children in this way.

I don't usually like to call out volunteers by name because you never forget someone or judge someone's version of volunteering. Always give a general all-call and examples to help people remember ways they may have helped. The fullness of the Christmas service also catches those who have sparse attendance and older members that may not be as aware of the activity in children's ministry.

Here is a rough draft of the children's moment that, of course, you should make your own, but I wanted you to get the idea of how the Christ child is the gift of love and working with God's children is also a gift; of love!


Children's Moment:
It is so good to see you all up here! Are you feeling all the excitement with the unique clothes, decorations, songs, and candles? We can see lots of preparation for this celebration of Jesus' birth. God sent Jesus as a baby to be the child of Mary and Joseph. Mary and Joesph believed Jesus was God's gift of love, but they also shared their love in raising him as their child.

In our church, we have grown-ups who love like Mary and Joseph. They are the people who volunteer to teach you the love of Jesus. They may teach you in a class, they may chaperone you on a trip, they may cut out materials for you, they may prepare snacks, they may lead your songs, give money to buy you a Bible.

Kids, let's stand up and look out to our church. Will any grown-up who has helped in even the most minor way with Children's ministry please stand up? Ask the children, "What do you say to someone who has given you a gift?" We say thank you. The grown-ups have given you the gift of their time because they want to love like Jesus. Once those people are standing, instruct the children to say all at once, "Thank you for loving us like Jesus! You are a gift of love to children!" (You could also make this into a sign for the kids to hold as well.)

As you dismiss the children back to their seats, remind the congregation that the season of giving is just not at Christmas. We have small ways to volunteer that each one here tonight could easily do.

Pray for thanksgiving for those who work with children!
Do you have a group of upper Elementary kids that need a skit? This skit can be done as a reader's theatre in the classroom with a group of kids. Or this 15 min skit can be added to any Christmas party or worship you would like. It has the kids creating a nativity scene by the end of the skit. Be sure to point out to them the joke and play on words. For example, Dr. Isaiah at the end is a nod to the prophet Isaiah telling of coming Christ child. I wrote this script for a group of First through Fifth-grade multi-age drama classes on Wednesday nights. They picked up the lines quickly and have enjoyed learning them together.
Brittany Sky recommended this author's free download of Advent Liturgies for Pastors and Families. It was wall procured and written by Kayla Craig, and Kayla has generously offered it for all to use. I can see pastors adding this to the Sunday worship, and then then you could send it home with the families to do at home around their Advent wreath. The church needs to teach spiritual practices that are easy for parents to repeat in the house. Thank you, Kayla, for sharing your gifts.
Development Credits for those that work in Child Development Centers will be offered at Beyond 2022!

Children's Ministers and Pastors, Please invite your directors and co-directors to Beyond Conference as they can get 1 hour for each speaker they attend! This is an amazing deal and a wonderful way for them to get caught up on staff development in one or two days!
Cindy Burns
Pulaski Heights UMC
Darlene Gates
Cabot UMC
Shandra Cameron
Cabot UMC
As our year comes to a close, so make the careers of three of our Central District Children's Ministers. All have made a ministry career, and it will be tough for their church families to fill those vacancies after the legacy of ministry leadership. Please enjoy reading what each one has to share about where they have been and what will fill their time once they retire.

Darlene Gates:
1. How long have you worked in ministry? 29 ½ years! I started in August 1992.

2. What is one ministry memory that has given you joy? Children, children, children! Their smiling faces and excitement about coming to Sunday School, Worship, VBS, and all the other activities – and their sweet little hugs! Just seeing the joy on their faces as they learned throughout the years!  Building our Rotation Sunday School was probably the most memorable project that we tackled! We completely transformed six classrooms and hallways into "The Riverwalk." Seeing our whole church family working together in different ways to make this dream happen is fantastic. We had people offering their gifts and talents in ways and willing to give their time and money to provide a more meaningful Sunday School experience for our children! And then, seeing our children so eager with excitement as the classrooms opened, they began learning more about the Bible in new and exciting ways! I don't think I've ever worked so hard on anything – and had so much fun at the same time! What a Blessing!

3. What advice do you have for those who are still in children's ministry? Pace yourself – you may want to do everything yourself, but letting go and delegating is critical! Many years ago, one wise pastor told me that if we try to do it all ourselves, we prevent others from being in ministry! And, making time for yourself and your family – not sure I always did either of these as well as I should have – easier said than done!

4. What are your plans after you retire? Spending more time with our four grandkids, more fishing and lake time, and doing some volunteering in various ministry areas at Cabot UMC (maybe even Children's Ministries!)

Cindy Burns:
1. How long have you worked in ministry? I have been on our church staff for over 20 years-adult ministries for seven and past 13 and a half years in children's ministries. Member of our church since 1985!

2. What is one ministry memory that has given you joy? Family Christmas Eve service is at 4:00! Our precious children dress up as parts of the Christmas story. We have live animals and sing Christmas carols ending with Silent Night and candles! It is always so inspiring to see children meaningful celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus!

3. What advice do you have for those who are still in children's ministry? Fun! Enjoy every exceptional child and their gifts from God. We learn so much from our precious children.

4. What are your plans after you retire? Spend more time with my wonderful family! My mother always called my husband, Kevin St. Kevin. I completely agree! I could not have been in ministry all these years without his unwavering and loving support.

Shandra Cameron:
1. How long have you worked in ministry? I have worked in an "official" role at Cabot UMC for 14 years. Unofficially, I have served in children's ministry for more than 20 years. 

2. What is one ministry memory that has given you joy? So many memories. My favorite memories are of Christmas Pageants and other musicals. During one particular musical, we had a non-verbal special needs child who decided to help me direct! He was quite a joyful fellow, and it made him so happy to help "direct"!

3. What advice do you have for those who are still in children's ministry? Advice: Pray. Pray for your kids, their parents, your volunteers, and your ministry. You cannot do it without prayer!

4. What are your plans after you retire? I have no particular agenda. 
Four Things you need to know about Tanako

1. Registration for confirmation camp is open!

2. Early Bird rates for summer 2022 ends on Jan 1, so now is the time to buy the perfect Christmas present for the children in your life! Payment plans are available, and to secure the early bird rate, you must sign up before Jan 1.

3. We love hosting day camps and weekend retreats, so reach out if we can serve you at Tanako or in your local church!

4. We are now hiring Summer staff, so if you know of anyone who would love to work at camp with us, encourage them to apply by visiting tanako.org.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
-Kayla Hardage, Director
If you would like to give, click on the Facebook icon and it will take you to the giving link.

Dates to remember:
  • Beyond Conference January 21& 22, 2022