One Grandma to Love
If the pastors of First United Methodist Church in Ashland, Kentucky, should fall behind in their visitation calls, at least they need not worry about six elderly shut-ins. They're being well cared for, thank you, by the elementary-age Sunday school children.
Each class—grades one through six—has been assigned one member of the church who's no longer able to attend services. "The kids have really gotten excited about reaching out to their special person," says Glenna Fay, director of education.
One class dreamed up a full-fledged birthday party for its elderly friend. They chipped in money to buy a gift and talked parents into making a cake and driving them to the nursing home one Sunday afternoon to celebrate. Another class found out that its shut-in liked to work jigsaw puzzles, so they promptly bought one as a gift.
To inspire students and their teachers, Fay provided two crucial items:
• A colorful poster to hang in each class's mission corner, with a picture, name, address, phone number, two or three paragraphs of life history, favorite foods and activities, birthday, and personal notes like "Easter is a hard day for her, because it was on Easter that her father became very sick and later died. She can use extra love that day."
• A list of outreach suggestions:
1. Make and send cards and letters.
2. Bake cookies and take them
3. Invite the person to class if possible.
4. Each child bring one piece of fruit. Make and deliver a fruit basket.
5. Start cuttings of plants in the room, then transfer to a planter, and deliver.
6. Each bring 50¢ and send flowers for a special occasion.
7. Think of other special things. (Clue: Study the person's special interests on the poster.)
To take or deliver, here are three methods:
1. Whole class ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,358 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
