from Kindness Day to Grandparents Day
The Noblesville First Presbyterian Church held their second annual “Kindness Day” this spring. Kindness Day, you ask? That’s what I was thinking. According to their church newsletter, this program grew out of a small group study on kindness. They invited 25 community speakers to join them and talk about the gift of kindness, answering questions like:
- What exactly is kindness?
- What causes people to devote their lives to helping others?
- Is kindness a teachable trait?
- What are the personal benefits of showing acts of kindness?
- How can we learn to show kindness?
Most of the 25 speakers came from service agencies or occupations within the local area, for example, a leader from their county’s largest shelter and pantry, a fire chief, a presenter from Special Olympics, a woman from a victim awareness program, local hospital representatives, and even a county household hazardous waste department representative. These people spoke about local opportunities to show kindness and provide help to those with specific concerns. They also raised awareness about national volunteerism efforts.
As a small token of thanks, the church gave each of the speakers a Thanking God for Your Servant Heart Prayer Tote Gift Set. The gift sets showed appreciation, and the short prayers included in the gift also witnessed to the speakers and encouraged those who had faith in Jesus Christ. It reminded the speakers that the church (and community) appreciated and thanked God for their service and dedication to others. Moffett Craig, one of the organizers, told me, “The prayer tote gift set was just too perfect for the occasion because these people do have servant hearts. In fact, it went over so well that I had to order more to give to those who helped with the luncheon and various other jobs for the Kindness Day. Plus I used it as a gift for my volunteer adult classes leaders. And it helped that it was the right price, since money is tight even for churches.”
As I read about this program and learned about the gifts First Presbyterian gave to community leaders, I realized what great opportunities churches have to reach out with Jesus’ love to those in their communities. By scheduling similar events and inviting similar speakers, congregations can make their members aware of opportunities to serve. In addition, congregations can also share Christ’s love and his saving grace with those outside the community of faith.
Be encouraged by this story from First Presbyterian, and begin to brainstorm ways you can encourage your congregation to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the unchurched or dechurched people in your community. Then check CTA’s Web site for help in sharing Christ’s love within your community. For example, you may want to look at CTA’s new Serving in His Steps products as you think of ways to support those who serve.
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Moving in a somewhat different direction, don’t forget Grandparent’s Day is September 13 this year. Your church may honor Moms and Dads, women and men on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. So why not extend that celebration by recognizing grandparents and senior adults, thanking God for their giftedness and their contributions to your congregation.
One church has shared with us that they used CTA’s Living a Legacy gift for a Senior Adult Appreciation Day service. They downloaded the free Living a Legacy Ministry Message from the CTA Web site and used the art for the Sunday bulletin. You may want to do that. Or you might download the free bulletin insert, which includes a short responsive prayer.
How did Grandparent’s Day start? Marian McQuade founded it in 1973, in West Virginia. She spent the next five years getting all the states on board. It officially became a national holiday in 1978, and is now celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. McQuade had 15 children and 40 grandchildren. She made it her goal to educate the young people in her community about the important contributions senior citizens have made and are still willing to make, if they are asked. McQuade also urged young people to adopt a grandparent, not for simply one day a year and not for material giving, but for the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience and for the love and caring that can be shared all year long.
