Our Greatest Gift to Our Children

I believe that one of the most important things I can do as a parent is share my faith with my children. I know that I cannot always protect my children from all harm and every evil, but I can give them Jesus. I can introduce them to the Author of Life and show them what a difference faith makes when tragedy or trials come our way. My deepest desire for my children is that they will know the love of God for them and will cling to his promises in Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul and mind.

So it stands to reason that one of my passions in ministry is helping parents in their own efforts to share their faith with their children. To that end, I work closely with the Roots and Wings Ministry of the Virginia Synod which has as its mission to strengthen the home as a place for faith formation. For this ministry I help create a weekly bulletin insert, a monthly newsletter, and a weekly email of faith activities.

The weekly bulletin insert is called “Nurturing Faith”, and it includes Scripture readings, prayers and something for families each week. At Good Shepherd, we also include the names of congregational members to lift up in prayer each day. The Bible readings and prayers are short enough that they will hold a child’s attention, but even our adults have expressed appreciation for the bulletin inserts. For this week’s insert, click here.

The monthly newsletter insert - “Sharing Faith” - offers suggestions for strengthening families using the Four Keys from the Youth and Family Institute: Caring Conversation, Family Devotions, Family Service Projects, and Rituals and Traditions.
For this month’s insert, click here.

If you would like to receive either of these inserts, please email me and I will be happy to send them to you. If you would like to subscribe to a weekly email of faith activities, email me at the same address and let me know!

Also, because passing on the faith is an activity for the whole community, I would love to hear your stories and how you are nurturing and shaping the faith and values of the children in your life!

-Pastor Cathy