ADAPTIVE VBS

We are so grateful to Eden Prairie UMC for allowing The Ministry Lab to listen in as they prepared their Adaptive VBS for last summer. They have now been gracious enough to share their planning and several implementation materials with us. Thanks,…

Six New Things – Week of April 24, 2023

Honor and celebrate Mothering, Mental Health Awareness, AAPI Heritage - and innovative ministries responsive to your context - with expansive theology, growing awareness, and a fall cohort just for Minnesota!! ONE Canceling the Feminine aspect…

RESURRECTION AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Thanks to Traci Smith for mentioning Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat's article, Easter: Resurrection as a Spiritual Practice in her Treasure Box Tuesday. The Brussat's Naming the Days Feature post in Spirituality and Practice (read the whole…

Mental Health Month – Teens

This Great Idea is more a compilation of resources than a specific outline or plan - but with deep gratitude to all those who write up these resources and those who will use them in care of the well-being of our young people! May is Mental…

From Earth’s to Mother’s Day

This is a Great Idea of our own concoction - based on numerous recent resources that guide us through some of the joys and sorrows of motherhood and expand our awareness of how motherhood injustices affect us all. Build on Earth Day enthusiasm…

Six New Things – Week of April 17, 2023

With Easter in our sails and Earth Day around the corner, emerging theologies lead us to create alternative communities built on love, confession, and intentionality - all of which lead to New Life for the planet and each other. ONE "There…

Celebrate Nature with Kids

Thanks to Naomi Krueger for sharing this Great Idea in Beaming Books' blog. Krueger writes, 'Kids don't always know how to slow down and appreciate the world around them... But the good news is there are many ways parents can cultivate a…

Youth Creation Care Pilgrimage

Thanks to Valerie Reince of Building Faith for sharing this truly Great Idea! It's definitely too late to offer this as an Earth Day observance, this year, but Earth Day might be a great time to float the idea to potential planning team members,…

Stories Make for Healthy Children

Thanks to Traci Smith for inspiring this Great Idea! In her March 21, 2023, Treasure Box Tuesday post, Traci Smith featured Do You Know Questions, writing, "I'm intrigued by the 'do you know' scale that asks kids questions like, 'Do you know…

Aging Christians Can Change the World

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Anna Hall (Convergence) for writing up this Great Idea! After sharing sobering statics about how US Christianity is aging, Hall wonders, "How can those of us who remain in the church as we age nurture younger generations…