https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:53:06 +0000 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/easter-activities-families-churches-and Celebrating holy days is an important way to help children experience God’s redemptive activity through the rhythms of the church year. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/easter-activities-families-churches-and Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/new-years-checklist Happy New Year! By now you are almost halfway through the educational year, and you’ve tackled some of your most labor-intensive months. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/new-years-checklist Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/celebrating-christmas-your-dwell-group An important part of your children’s ministry year is celebrating holy days with your Dwell group. Throughout the Dwell curriculum, a Christmas story is usually included in unit 3. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/celebrating-christmas-your-dwell-group Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-create-your-own-nativity-scene-using One of my favorite parts of decorating for Christmas is pulling out my nativity scenes. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-create-your-own-nativity-scene-using Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Probably the most misunderstood element of the Dwell curriculum’s age-graded materials is its children’s resources. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-leader-trainings-everything-you-need When my son was 3 years old, he turned to me one day at lunch and said matter of factly, “God doesn’t like bad guys.” Immediately I responded that no—God, of course, loves everyone! To which he replied, “But he had David kill Goliath!” Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-leader-trainings-everything-you-need Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:46:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-faith-forming-childrens-books-do-you-love I have been serving in children's ministry and am looking to purchase some new books for the classrooms. Specifically, preschool through 5th grade.  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-faith-forming-childrens-books-do-you-love Mon, 12 Sep 2022 16:25:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/3-simple-ways-help-families-form-faith When Dwell Flex launched in 2020, the goal was to help churches in a variety of settings with resources to meet each church’s specific needs. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/3-simple-ways-help-families-form-faith Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:07:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/setting-play-church-create-worship-wonder Several months ago, as our grandchildren began attending Sunday school again, our three-year-old grandson spotted the sanctuary and was drawn into the space as he passed by the open door in the hallway. Cindy Merten https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/setting-play-church-create-worship-wonder Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:36:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens All curricula teaches theology in some way. Whether during education hour or the worship service, the curriculum your church uses is introducing your children to God’s word. Are you certain it’s teaching the Bible in a way that is consistent with your theology?  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:27:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/family-celebrations-childrens-message-celebration-lords This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sa Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/family-celebrations-childrens-message-celebration-lords Tue, 28 Jun 2022 12:53:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-childrens-message-lords-supper This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sacrament to Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-childrens-message-lords-supper Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:52:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Last night over dinner, my husband and I listened to a dear friend share her recent journey to find relatives she never knew existed.* This discovery of ancestors on her family tree is opening doors to connect and establish relationships with their descendants. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:44:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/lords-supper-helps-us-remember-childrens-message This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sa Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/lords-supper-helps-us-remember-childrens-message Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:06:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/are-we-singing-songs-stick I was leading the 4-year-old class at church a couple weeks ago and left the experience with a bit of a haughty thought: The songs we sang when I was a kid were better.  Judgy, right?  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/are-we-singing-songs-stick Thu, 23 Jun 2022 14:09:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/wondering-about-sacraments-children Wondering aloud is a great way to be with children.  It is not a time of teaching, and it is not a time for looking for right answers.  You are spending time with children to discover with them what they already think, know, and believe about God.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/wondering-about-sacraments-children Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:52:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/3-ways-strengthen-your-summer-childrens It’s almost summertime, and this year many churches are wondering if "VBS as usual" is the best option. Maybe you are finding yourself wondering if there is a new way to engage children and families throughout the summer.   Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/3-ways-strengthen-your-summer-childrens Thu, 19 May 2022 12:38:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-curriculum-review This curriculum review is part of the Children's Ministry Toolkit - a collection of resources for building strong and vibrant children's ministry, brought to you by Faith Formation Ministries. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-curriculum-review Thu, 28 Apr 2022 13:25:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-home-kids-corner-resources “He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying.” Matthew 28:6  Ron VandenBurg https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-home-kids-corner-resources Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:53:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Our church was in the midst of giving our nursery a fresh, new look and as this project took off, we found ourselves wrestling with ideas of what to include for dramatic play. Jennifer Uitvlugt https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:03:21 +0000