All in the Family              May 3 and 4, 2008                                                    
Raising our children in faith
A ministry summit            Registration form

v     Late last summer Holy Innocents’ initiated a parish survey. The results of the survey  revealed data  that supported what many of us already knew; children and youth at Holy Innocents’ are the number one priority of our parish. 

v     Knowing that families are an important part of the life and work of the church, we needed to find new and better ways to nurture them.  So for the last several months we have been gathering information, finding out what people think, what they want, and then deciding how can we provide what is most essential for families.  We did this by asking questions in a variety ways – focus groups with parents, kids, and teachers, meetings with people who share our desires and concerns; and additional surveys. We researched models of formation and curriculum. We talked with the  experts on spiritual development and curriculum resources.  We  canvassed other churches.

v     As a result of that work and the information gathered we are quite excited to bring all that to you in a ministry summit.

Formation for families is about discovering what is essential for families and then offering it in ways that are nourishing and exciting.

This has always been and continues to be the heart of who we are at Holy Innocents’;  Feeding and forming the souls of children and youth and their families.

The focus of our time together on May 3 and 4 is how we continue in that spirit to feed the hearts and souls of our families.  The ministry summit dedicates time, space and energy to talk about and ‘do’ or experience formation for families.

v     Provide information about the changes planned for Holy Innocents’

v     Experience or live into the changes

v     Form new relationships and strengthen others around shared interests of family ministry

v     Initiate new culture and environment with participation from our children and youth

v     Provide a variety of opportunities for discussion around shared interests in family ministry

With your participation! The changes we are proposing are more than a change in curriculum – this is a change in culture, and affects how we live out our lives together as a community of faith.  This change will only happen with our full participation and support!

v     There will be seminars, exploration and discussion

v     It is our desire that you be with us for everything we offer, but each module stands alone and if you are able to only make one then you will have plenty of insight into the planned changes and initiatives.  Please take some time to look over the schedule of events and make your plans now to be with us.

v     Nursery is available from 9 – 4 for children to age 5

Hands on activities are scheduled  for the morning.  Children will spend the morning making lunch for the community.  This will include preparing the space and the food and leading noon time prayer. If time allows or the number of children permits there will be opportunities for them to work on the grounds, preparing and planting.   All children ware encouraged to take part with parents in the afternoon experiences

9.30 am                        Gathering/ Worship in the Inglett Room

10 – 11.30                   Adults/ youth                                          Children/Youth

What we heard, what we saw?               **See info above

What’s next for Holy Innocents’ families?         

11.30 -12.15                Lunch

                                      Prepared and served by our children and youth

12.30 – 1.15                Shared parent-child/youth Experience

Opportunity to encounter first hand how it all works – a look into the future of formation for children and youth at Holy Innocents’

Each of these modules will repeat so everyone may experience

1.30 – 2.15                 Shared parent child/youth Experience

2.30                             Feed back

If you have questions, concerns or want to know how you can be a part of our new vision for family formation at Holy Innocents’. Members of the staff and clergy will be available until 3.45 pm.

6 – 8 pm                      Dinner at 5 homes

Our vestry hosts these informal meals for families and children at their homes. Along with the fellowship we will discuss the pressures of time and its impact on formation for families and the spiritual development of children and youth.

8, 9 11.15 Services   Youth Sunday

10.15                           Feed back and Follow-up during Formation hour