By Debbie Gline Allen, Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant

Many who attended our Super Saturday event in October experienced worship in a way that was new to them. The focus was on being as intergenerational and inclusive as possible — being accessible not only to children as well as adults, but also to those for whom reading, hearing, and/or seeing is difficult. And while it was impossible to offer every manner of inclusivity in that short period of time, we encouraged all in attendance to open their minds and their hearts to everything that the liturgy of the morning had to offer.

Perhaps the most unfamiliar element of this service of worship to most was the Pray-ground, a place in the front of the sanctuary where young children can experience worship through age-appropriate worship materials and tools that will help keep them engaged in worship. You may read more about how children worship and what they are able to truly experience in corporate worship in the online version of this post. 

By Jennifer Kronholm Clark, Program Director at Silver Lake Conference Center

The best days “at the office” in my line of work take me completely out of the office. Outdoor ministry happens outside, and I find myself pulled away from my desk: to the ropes course, to the lake, to the campfire ring.
 
Silver Lake is a beautiful slice of God’s Creation, and it’s my job to share it with others.
 
During the summer, the young people who come to Silver Lake get to experience nature unplugged. We have no cell service on site, and we don’t offer WiFi time. I always enjoy reading their end-of-the-week evaluations, where they exclaim, “You CAN live without your phone!”

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Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.