Brave Enough to See It; Brave Enough to Be It

The Ministry Lab's Director, Rev. Emily Meyer, made up this Great Idea after being "introduced" to Amanda Gorman in Rev. Elsa Cook's Pandemic Prayer for Epiphany 3 post on Jan. 19 - only to be bowled over by her at the Inauguration, the next…

Reconciliation Community Art Project

This Great Idea was inspired by the mural created for the UMC's Our Movement Forward, 2019 summit. As communities continue to struggle with hatred, racism, division, and Covid, how might your congregation be a place for open, honest conversations,…

Health and Human Service Day/Week

Thanks to the Council for Health & Human Service Ministries of the UCC for inspiring this Great Idea! CHHSM folks created a Special Worship Liturgy and Prayers to support a Health and Human Services Sunday, which they have designated…

Calm Yourselves

This Great Idea is sparked by Traci Smith's offering of two contemplative practices to soothe little ones in this time of tumult and anxiety. Traci Smith, author of Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home (Chalice) has offered…

African American History Stations

February is African American History Month. Ash Wednesday is February 17. These two things could/maybe should go together! Kick-start events with a robust celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Sunday, January 17. Check out our…

Little Free Library – Community Bonding & Building!

This is one of Rev. Emily Meyer's favorite community-building and community-bonding projects - especially poignant for People of the Word. Build a Little Free Library - or several - as a community project: Invite all generations - whether…

Anti-Racism as Community Event

Rev. Elsa Cook compassionately shares ideas and resources for honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 17, not merely as a "nice" white discussion about diversity, but as a boldly prophetic and intentional step toward racial…

Baptism of Christ Prayer Stations

Thanks to Rev. Elsa Cook, from Cooking with Elsa, for creating and sharing this Great Idea on her blog! Pastor Elsa's idea offers an opportunity to create something special for Baptism of Christ Sunday without creating a lot of extra work…

We Are All Stardust

Thanks to Hopeful Innovation Grant recipients at Owatonna's Associated Church (Presbyterian & UCC) for sharing this Great Idea! Looking for a way to celebrate uniqueness and diversity within community, Associated members developed their…

Go Light Your World Campaign

Thanks to Christa Meland at the Minnesota Annual Conference, UMC, for sharing this Great Idea! No matter what denomination you belong to, the Go Light Your World Campaign is a great congregational endeavor. Share some love with folks in…