SPMF has always been welcoming of children and all the gifts and energy they possess. In SPMF's early years, there were a handful of adults and dozens of children. In recent years, there are far fewer children than adults in the Fellowship. This has led to more intergenerational activities and creative planning for children's time. Charlotte is our only elementary-aged child and this web page is dedicated to her and the creativity she and her sister Ina have given to the Fellowship over the years. Following are some of the activities that children and youth have done in the past as well as plans for the upcoming church year.
Puppet Shows
A couple years ago the Fellowship made and decorated hand-puppets as an intergenerational activity. Since then we have been regaled with puppet shows during potlucks, retreats, weddings, etc. that focus on our worship themes of the year. Here are some of the cast of characters!
Parent-Free Zones
Parent-Free Zones are activities specifically planned for youth and children to explore subjects of faith and growing up with adults other than their parents. This fall we will be doing a six-week study of world religions beginning on October 7. See the calendar for more information.
SPMF Buddies
Each child in the Fellowship is connected to an adult "buddy" who is committed to being an ally, friend and mentor to that child. The goal is that the community wishes to be a "village" for our children, providing them with adults who care about them, take interest in them, play with them and with whom they can talk candidly.
Service
We encourage our children to participate in service events as much as possible. Over the past year, our children have helped us feed the poor at Loaves and Fishes, create relief bundles for children and families in Iraq, march for peace, and reforest the banks of the Mississippi. In the year ahead we hope to repeat many of these activities.