Happy Anniversary!

When I started this journey of blogging, I wasn’t entirely sure where it would lead. I had big hopes and am so grateful for those who have read my blog whether once, because a title intrigued you, or regularly. And now, I’ve come up to my first anniversary of this weekly reflection on Christian Education and look forward to continuing.

My prayer is that this will be a source of inspiration and consideration of how our educational ministries are shifting and the ways that we can be intentional and creative as we tell God’s story. With denominations needing to cut positions of support to congregational Christian educators, and fewer congregations able to pay someone to nurture this vital ministry, the result is an increasing reliance on volunteers whose numbers are dwindling. These are challenging times. If this weekly musing from my own experiences can be a benefit to those who feel overwhelmed or alone, then to God be the glory.

As I reflect on anniversaries in general, I’m reminded that many churches celebrate their anniversary each year, often in the fall. On top of September kick-off events, World Communion Sunday and Thanksgiving, it can make for a busy season. If the anniversary year is a significant milestone, the celebration can be extended over a few days or weeks or even months. With many churches struggling with survival and retaining younger members and families, I have wondered how anniversaries can be more meaningful to our children and youth. How do we include them and help them to understand the legacy they have inherited in creative ways? Here are some ideas:

1. Have someone draw a large timeline to put on a high traffic area wall showing the dates and photos of significant events that have happened. A second line could indicate major world and local events to give some context to what else was going on at the same time. Ask people to write down their name next to the year they began attending.  

2. Challenge the congregation to write for a newsletter or special booklet and/or to share in worship or at a congregational event: a) how they have experienced God’s love in this church, b) how this church has been involved in serving the community, and/or c) the most memorable moments/events which they have been part of there.

3. Take time to reflect on the mission that the church has carried out. If donations have been made to specific ministries, or missionaries have been sent or congregational members have served in mission projects, whether locally or within Canada or around the world, find maps and place a flag showing the reach of what the congregation has done in service to God. You may want to number the flags and have a corresponding list posted by the maps of what happened in each place and when.

4. Particularly for significant milestone years, challenge all groups in the church to create something to celebrate their place in the life of the church – a banner, a slideshow or powerpoint presentation, a collage of photos on a poster, a sculpture, a poem or a piece of music. You could ask each group to come up with a scripture verse or Bible story that speaks to their contribution to the church or which has inspired their ministry.

5. Have children and young people interview long-time members, particularly those in nursing homes or other shut-ins, about their experiences at the church. With permission, these could be recorded or videotaped and transcribed or shared at an anniversary event.

6. Create a current family tree with family photos, either attached to a large painting or drawing of a tree or on a large quilt. This could also be a vine with numerous branches and a leaf for each family. Families related to each other could be grouped together to help everyone make connections.

The most important thing about church anniversaries is not celebrating all that we and our forebears have done, but how God has called and journeyed with us, ministering through us in countless ways. A prayer wall where people can add prayers of gratitude and hope would be a wonderful focal point for celebrations.

Whenever you celebrate your church’s anniversary, happy anniversary! May you be rejuvenated as you look back to what has gone before and remember to rely on the promises of God well into the future!