Learning and living
the faith
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Get ready to welcome your congregation to a
summer filled with Gather 'Round inspiration and fun! This summer's theme, "Letters
to the Early Churches," will help everyone experience the excitement of the
early Christians as they learned what their new faith meant, and how to live it
out.  Be prepared by ordering teacher's guides,
student books, and resource packs for Preschool (ages 3-4) and Multiage (K-grade
6) levels now. Also order one Youth and Junior Youth Supplement per class on CD,
or download at www.gatherround.org. The
supplement is designed to be used alongside either a Multiage Teacher's guide or
Connect or both, so be sure to order
extra copies of these guides as well.
Order Connect--the
Parent/Caregiver guide--for each adult, and a Talkabout for each family. Order extras
to offer to newcomers and friends who may visit during summer months.
Take time to familiarize everyone with the
summer materials and be sure everyone has what they need. Ask your pastor to announce
the theme during worship and encourage everyone to participate. Use this prayer
of dedication adapted from the Multiage Student Book, Together:
Growing
Children and youth:
Help us grow like Jesus grew,
Adults: tall and
strong, wise and kind.
Children and youth:
Help us grow like Jesus grew,
Adults: your
spirit with us, your thoughts in our minds.
Children and youth:
Help us grow like Jesus grew,
Adults: serving
and helping people each day.
Children and youth:
Help us grow like Jesus grew,
Adults: living so
others can know the way.
All: God, help us grow like Jesus grew. Amen.
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| Reach out to families |
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 If your congregation doesn't have summer Sunday
school, invite families to take the summer Talkabout--a set of colorful postcards
on the summer theme--and a copy of the Parent/Caregiver guide, Connect, with them to use at home or on
vacation. Use the prayer above as part of a "Summer Send-Off." Show families the
Talkabout postcards, and ask them to mail these to extended family members,
friends, or mission workers throughout the summer. Think of any families who do
not attend church regularly and take the materials to them, inviting them to
attend again soon.
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