All in the Family (Table)

Kevin Reilly inspired us all!

This program year at church, to my delight, we have gone all-in on the Cross+Generational concept we’ve used once a month since 2016. Our Sunday School program was not totally dead, as is the case with a large number of churches, but our numbers had definitely been declining in recent years. We had a core group of fabulous, dedicated teachers, who often--after they had prepped a super lesson--had only one or two kiddos show up. Morale was pretty low, and it seemed time to make a major move. Still, over the summer I wavered, hesitant to let go of the tried and true.

But at last we took the plunge, and as of September, at 9:00 every Sunday morning, children ages 2 through fifth grade and their parents gather in our Parish Hall for an hour of crafts, games, songs, Bible stories, snacks, videos, skits, and service projects that we are calling Family Table. The Confirmands (6-9th graders) meet for their own lively program upstairs. I am joined by a planning team of 20 folks (!) who take turns leading the mornings in small groups. I have been asked if this new way of doing Spiritual Formation is a lot of extra work for me. My answer? Not at all! I have a huge group of enthusiastic helpers. And the significantly larger turnout is tremendously encouraging.

Meeting a new friend!

Leaders take turns selecting a story, then build the other activities around it. Every week’s focus is different (which is part of the fun). When we talked about Saint Francis of Assisi, the adults performed a silly skit featuring arguing birds, a hungry wolf, and kind but clueless Saint Frank. On Good Samaritan day, my friend Julie Cullen (a nurse) brought a puppet in a wheelchair to show us just how much a person with a disability can do. David and Goliath is the classic Bible story of facing great obstacles, so team leader Erin Stein invited her dad, former Philadelphia Eagles player Kevin Reilly, to join us. Kevin’s career ended when cancer necessitated the amputation of an arm; now he travels all over as an inspirational motivational speaker (kids and grownups loved him). Today we heard Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (about using your God-given gifts), and made care packages of goodies for our college students. We receive Communion together around tables each week too, share prayers and bless each other.

Not everything we’ve attempted at church has been a hit, of course (I’ve spearheaded several clunkers myself over the years) but I’m very glad this venture has been a success so far. It is a really tough time to be a kid in the world right now, and young parents face challenges I never had to deal with.

Around the Family Tables

But on any given Sunday morning, Christ’s Lutheran’s parents and their children can be together for an enjoyable, meaningful hour, a Sabbath pause to refresh the heart and soul.

And, honestly? On these special Sunday mornings, there’s no place I’d rather be.