Now more than ever, it is imperative to teach our young people about the importance of peace and reconciliation. There are numerous ways children can connect with the Peace & Global Witness Offering, sharing the peace of Christ around the corner and around the world. We have a number of resources available online to help you as you connect with your young people, whether you are able to meet in person or are touching base virtually.
This year’s curriculum was written by Becky D’Angelo-Veitch, Certified Associate Christian Educator and Director of Faith Formation at Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York. This includes:
- Multi-Age Children’s Lesson
- Activity Sheet: Creating a Picture of Peace
- Activity Sheet: How to Fold a Paper Crane
- Activity Sheet: Peacemaker Notes
- Resources for the Home
- Children’s Message
Through these lessons and activities, children will reflect on the different definitions of peace and think personally about what peace means, connect the concept of peace to Jesus through scripture and song, and learn how they themselves are peacemakers.
We are excited to be partnering with Illustrated Ministry LLC in 2020. Illustrated Ministry LLC will be creating stained glass art for the second bulletin insert for each of the four Special Offerings. The illustration is also available to download as a coloring sheet. We invite you to use this coloring sheet in the lead up to the Peace & Global Witness Offering, and share your masterpieces with us on social media using the hashtag #LetsBuildGodsHouse!
Finally, inspired by the design provided by Illustrated Ministry LLC, we have put together our very own Peace & Global Witness Offering display. Follow these easy instructions, and you too will have your very own Offering display in no time. We encourage young people to get creative with it, maybe even incorporating sidewalk chalk or window paint into the display!
If you use any of our materials in promoting the 2020 Peace & Global Witness Offering, we invite you to share feedback on how it was received. We are also available to answer any questions you might have about these or any other Special Offerings resource. Feel free to reach out to us at 800-728-7228 ext. 5047 or specialofferings@pcusa.org.
If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
PS – If you don’t have many youth under 18 in your congregation, you can get creative and engage your more seasoned members in any of the activities above! Fun and learning are for Christians of every age!