Let’s seize upon social distancing to build a virtual bridge (via Zoom) between our children/families and church staff, along with congregants known to have a special skill or hobby, or just a love for children. Beyond your church resources, many curriculum partners now offer FREE online “pandemic” materials (see attached). The Zoom platform is user-friendly and we all know techie folks. Our work is to coordinate these virtual partners.

FORMAT: An interactive virtual fellowship for elementary age children and parents. (see attached) THE GOAL is to remotely connect children and families to you AND a virtual co-host, such as: pastor(s), Sunday school teachers, youth volunteers, crafters, quilters, plant people, singers/musicians, Elders/Deacons, and others who love children and receive some training about use of the Zoom platform.

Enlist an IT adult/youth to help launch your platform and generally monitor/problem solve. Even if you’re pretty good at this, enlist someone else. You have more important things to focus on. Start simple and build on your plan. If you serve a disadvantaged population, try soliciting extra laptops or mobile devices.

CRITERIA:

• Engage families in the seasonal and/or liturgical Bible stories and practices.
• Follow the “Faith 5” model: STEP 1: SHARE your highs and lows; STEP 2: READ a Bible verse or story; STEP 3: TALK about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows, AND/OR engage in a hands-on activity; STEP 4: PRAY for one another’s highs and lows; STEP 5: BLESS one another.
• Try to vary the mix of virtual co-hosts and hands-on activity.
• As an alternative, pastors could offer monthly/quarterly/seasonal birthday blessings, or blessing of the animals, favorite book or toy, etc.

Want to see more? Just click the file (Word or PDF) below for a bridge sample lesson and list of possible sources of inspiration.

Schlechter Bridge Gatherings Word

Schlechter Bridge Gatherings PDF

Roberta L’Esperance Schlechter CCE, Retired Christian Educator and Member of the Hope4CE Steering Committee, Portland OR