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Milestones |
...."when your children ask in time to come, "What do those stones mean to you?"then you shall tell them..."
Joshua 4:6
Milestones - Children and Families
...so that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever.” Joshua 4:4-9
The idea of having a Milestones Ministry has been around for years at PCPC as a way to bring together families and give parents/guardians the tools and encouragement they need in order to be the “faith teachers” of the children in their lives.
In our culture of specialized everything, adults often feel inadequate and unprepared to help their children learn what it means to be a Christian. The solution—to the detriment of children, their families, and the church—was simply to “let the church do it.”
Building on ministries already available at the Church (presentation of Bibles to third graders, and Communion instruction for second graders), a proposal for expansion was made to include their parents/guardians, connect with multiple age groups, provide suggestions for children’s books and parenting books, and to bring the events into the worship service so the entire congregation would be involved and connected.
The idea of having a Milestones Ministry has been around for years at PCPC as a way to bring together families and give parents/guardians the tools and encouragement they need in order to be the “faith teachers” of the children in their lives.
In our culture of specialized everything, adults often feel inadequate and unprepared to help their children learn what it means to be a Christian. The solution—to the detriment of children, their families, and the church—was simply to “let the church do it.”
Building on ministries already available at the Church (presentation of Bibles to third graders, and Communion instruction for second graders), a proposal for expansion was made to include their parents/guardians, connect with multiple age groups, provide suggestions for children’s books and parenting books, and to bring the events into the worship service so the entire congregation would be involved and connected.
Milestone Ministries at Palma Ceia
Milestones Defined
Milestones are learning units we believe students at specific ages should understand and/or accomplish. The Milestones are intended to help the child along in his or her faith development and understanding of how to become disciples of God’s love. Each Milestone will involve the parents/guardians/significant adults in some way: through a class, a project, experience, or all three.
The goal is to allow children and their families to see that faith development is a journey that includes, but is not limited to, a specific body of truths. The role of parents/guardians is critical to the faith growth of children. Milestones are also designed to help adults keep the promises made at their child’s baptism.
A mature Christian faith includes prayer, worship, music, study, service, stewardship, and sacraments. These are foundations that will provide fertile soil for the Milestone of church membership at the time of confirmation.
Why? We want to help families become the foundations for teaching the faith. We want children to learn there is a reason we learn the Bible stories. We want children to grow strong bonds with the congregation as they grow up so that, by the time of confirmation, they are integrated into a life of faith and spiritual practices.
How? The way the Milestones ministry is specific to PCPC with ideas from other ministries. Each congregation determines what they want included in their own Milestones that is meaningful and theologically in line with their church.
Beginning at birth and going up through grade 5, the following “milestones” are celebrated.
Each involves a gathering that includes parents/guardians and children. The purpose is to learn why we do these things, and to help the children understand the meaning behind things, like the Lord’s Prayer. This is often as much a time of discovery for the adults as it is for the children. This is one of the great beauties of Milestones!
In a nutshell: A milestone is a meaningful, memorable moment in the lives of individuals celebrated in community. Milestones Ministry provides a faith milestone as a marker along life’s journey that says, “This is something important, and God is here, too.” It is a faith formation practice for both home and congregation helping all generations recognize God’s presence in everyday life.
The goal is to allow children and their families to see that faith development is a journey that includes, but is not limited to, a specific body of truths. The role of parents/guardians is critical to the faith growth of children. Milestones are also designed to help adults keep the promises made at their child’s baptism.
A mature Christian faith includes prayer, worship, music, study, service, stewardship, and sacraments. These are foundations that will provide fertile soil for the Milestone of church membership at the time of confirmation.
Why? We want to help families become the foundations for teaching the faith. We want children to learn there is a reason we learn the Bible stories. We want children to grow strong bonds with the congregation as they grow up so that, by the time of confirmation, they are integrated into a life of faith and spiritual practices.
How? The way the Milestones ministry is specific to PCPC with ideas from other ministries. Each congregation determines what they want included in their own Milestones that is meaningful and theologically in line with their church.
Beginning at birth and going up through grade 5, the following “milestones” are celebrated.
Each involves a gathering that includes parents/guardians and children. The purpose is to learn why we do these things, and to help the children understand the meaning behind things, like the Lord’s Prayer. This is often as much a time of discovery for the adults as it is for the children. This is one of the great beauties of Milestones!
In a nutshell: A milestone is a meaningful, memorable moment in the lives of individuals celebrated in community. Milestones Ministry provides a faith milestone as a marker along life’s journey that says, “This is something important, and God is here, too.” It is a faith formation practice for both home and congregation helping all generations recognize God’s presence in everyday life.