2011-2012 Milestone Ministry Dates
                              
August 28th, 2011
BLESSING OF BACKPACKS for students, teachers, and staff who work at a school or college. Going to school for the first time or returning to school for another year carries with it the challenges, anxieties, hopes and opportunities that fill the lives of children and parents with many diverse emotions and wonderments. Therefore, it is a prime time to acknowledge our dependence upon God and God’s Goodness, God’s steadfast love that endures forever and even right now!

September 18th, 2011
WELCOMING YOUNG CHILDREN TO WORSHIP for 3-4 year olds. This milestone extends a welcome mat to children and their parents and caretakers, saying, “You and your child are welcome here – your child is a full member of the faith community and God speaks to both children and adults as we gather and support one another in our faith in worship.” This milestone class will take place in the sanctuary at 9:15 a.m.

September 25th and October 9th, 2011
MEMORIZING THE LORD’S PRAYER for Kindergarten students. Together in worship, we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Kindergarten students will be equipped to participate more fully in worship as they learn the Lord’s Prayer, as well as the importance of prayer as a way we practice our faith both individually and as a community.         

October 16th, and October 30th, 2011
TEN COMMANDMENTS for 1st – 2nd Graders. Families will learn about and students will memorize God’s rules for us. We will also talk about ways we are tempted to break God’s rules, and discover how following God’s rules can make life good.                       

November 6th, November 13th, and November 20th, 2011
BIBLE PRESENTATION AND ADVENTURE for 3rd Graders. As families place in children’s hands the Holy Scriptures, they will read, study, and play in the Bible. In this way, children will not only receive Bibles, but are encouraged to use them together with their families.                     

January 8th, 2012
BAPTISM BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION for 1-2 year olds. Too often we think of baptism as an event, rather than a way of living one’s life. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong faith journey. This milestone reminds everyone that living our baptism is a lifelong journey – and one needs to be prepared to live and walk wet!

January 15th, January 22nd, and January 29th, 2012
BAPTISM REMEMBRANCE for 4th Graders. Many Lutherans cannot remember their baptism because they were baptized as infants. Families will learn about the lifelong journey of baptism, and how we are shaped by the waters and the Word to live as a Child of God.
                       
February 5th, February 12th, and February 19th, 2012
SEXUALITY for 5th Graders. Sexuality is God’s good gift to humankind. As children mature physically, this is a time to partner home and congregation to make sure that the children we love have good information, clear and consistent values, and support to be moral. It is important to reclaim sexuality from the media and industries that exploit, demean, or misuse it in our culture.

March 11th and March 18th, 2012
KIDS AND MONEY for 7th Graders. Using material called “Share, Save, Spend”, families will be invited to think more deeply about the value of money. This milestone will encourage students to be good stewards of the gifts God gives to us.

May 20th, 2012
JUNIOR HIGH for 6th Graders. The milestone gift of a magnetic mirror, to use in school lockers, is one tool in this transitional time of life, moving from elementary school to junior high. This is a critical time as students struggle to grow and to find their own identity. As they move into a new school and find new freedoms, it is vitally important that parents and students talk with each other and that we as a congregation are there to help support both sides of the conversation.

May 20th, 2012
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS for graduating high school seniors. An evening meal will be served for families as they celebrate the milestone of completing high school. This is a time for the graduate, family, and congregation to be very intentional about continued faith connections. It is a time to help graduates take responsibility for deliberate plans in a continuing faith journey.

(Thanks to the Vibrant Faith Ministries Milestone Ministry binder for the explanations of milestones.)