Imagine No Malaria-Tip of the Week 2
By Laura Meengs
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7/28/2010
Children attending the VBS program of Nicklin UMC in Franklin and Center UMC in Polk thought outside the box to raise $700 for Imagine No Malaria.
Allow youth to inspire your congregation!
Children and youth often inspire congregations to reach out in ministry. That’s happened in several Western PA congregations as support grows for the Imagine No Malaria campaign to save lives in Africa. Here are some examples:
Summer brings with it Vacation Bible School, which is not only fun for the children involved, but also offers opportunities for service for a congregation’s adults. Many VBS programs, like the one at New Stanton United Methodist Church, have received offerings for Imagine No Malaria. A few industrious children even took the project back to their neighborhood, starting a LemonAID stand to help raise funds for bed nets, malaria treatments and more. Together, these two efforts raised $820!
The children of Seneca UMC had fun smashing mosquitoes on the windshield of their homemade RV during their Route 254 VBS last week. They added to the fun with a little friendly competition.
“The competition was stiff with up to 80 children involved,” said the Rev. Rob Wilson. “The girls outnumbered the boys and led in daily giving the first half of the week. The boys came back from behind to almost win the competition. The final totals are Girls: $359.29 and Boys: $353.21 -- for a total of $712.50. Winners: Those suffering from malaria in Africa.”
The newly formed youth group at Center Ave UMC in Pitcairn has been entertaining the congregation with their “mosquito invasion” fundraiser (Watch out – a swarm of mosquitoes might end up in your yard, but a donation will get them out!)
The Focus on HOOPS (Honor Our One Personal Savior) basketball camp at Chippewa UMC gave half their week’s offering to Imagine No Malaria after a moving presentation by the Rev. Rod Smith.
In Matthew 18:1-4 (NIV), we find these words:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Let the children and youth of your congregations lead and inspire, but don’t forget to have a plan to include the adults. How can they become like children in their fervor to give to our brothers and sisters in Africa?
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