7 things you can do now
Place a kid-size table and chairs in your fellowship hall. Make sure there are also high chairs.
Reinforce the importance of fathers caring for their little ones by putting changing tables in the men’s room(s).
Place bathroom signs with symbols and words at children’s eye level. If that means two signs on each door, that’s OK.
Or how about the family friendly
features that can be appreciated by even the youngest of children. Pointing them out enables kids to see how our Christian beliefs are embedded in our church surround- ings. We help kids understand why our buildings look the way they do (plus, kids love learning about the secret meanings of things). Try this: Walk through your
church taking an inventory of the artwork. How could you help kids notice and understand the signifi cance of these pieces? Use a children’s sermon to focus on the artwork, or ask someone to make a photo book that has pictures and explanations of it.
Steal from the best Your community has spaces that are already child-friendly. Recall the furnishings and layout of McDon- ald’s, for instance—bright colors, play spaces and Happy Meal toys displayed at eye level.
Author bio: Rundman, Edina, Minn., is director of congregational development at sparkhouse, the ecumenical division of Augsburg Fortress. She served on her congregation’s
building design committee to make church more welcoming to children.
features of Ikea stores—parking spots reserved for families with young children, kid-friendly menus and restaurant seating, and free child care that allows parents to shop uninterrupted? Notice your library’s children’s
section with books in easy-to-reach displays and comfy reading chairs. Try this: Visit a child-friendly
spot in your community and observe the ways that space is invit- ing for children. Seating, signage, artwork and color palette all beckon to the child: “Make yourself at
Reposition some of the church’s artwork to a child’s eye level.
Make sure signage at all entrances let fami- lies know exactly where their child should go when they arrive.
Liven up hallway walls by displaying kids’ artwork (not just in the Sunday school area).
Include faith-based messages, music and images in the nursery so they convey that this is a place of faith, not just baby-sitting.
home. Stick around. You’re welcome here.” Strive to have your church’s space off er the same kind of feel, but with a deeper, life-changing message about welcome and belonging.
Your dream vacation is just a phone call away!
Save up to $
p 100er couple*
National Parks of the Golden West 14 days from $
1,599*
America’s National Parks system is the envy of the world, and on our 14-day tour you will get to visit 9 diff erent national parks for one low price. Most Americans only get to see one or two of these parks in their lifetime, so seeing nine of them in one trip is truly amazing! Departs May - September, 2016
* Prices are per person, double occupancy. Plus $ supplements may apply. $100 per couple savings on select tour departures, off ers expire 3/29/16. Ask your Travel Consultant for details. 159 taxes & government fees. Add-on airfare available. Seasonal charges and single
CALL NOW: 1-877-525-7091
ymtvacations.com
Mention promo code X6001 March 2016 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52