Workshops to help adults minister to kids

Workers from other
denominations, schools
head to training by UMs

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
Adults working with youngsters are to explore better ways to minister to them Saturday July 23rd at the first of three Weekday Ministries workshops.
“Unlocking the Treasure of God’s Love” is the theme for the three sessions. The first is at Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio.
Others are July 30 at First UMC, San Angelo, and Aug. 27 at First UMC, Harlingen.
Sponsored by the Council on Children’s Ministries, the three workshops are designed to give adults ideas about finding the potential in each child.
Anne Wier, chair of the design team for Saturday’s event, said she expects the church to be packed—and not only with United Methodists.
“There will be participants from all denominations and from secular schools,” said Wier, director of Laurel Heights’ weekday school.
Most participants will be teachers, school administrators and children’s ministry staffers, Wier said, adding, “We expect some parents of our school children to attend, too.”
Many parents are hungry for information about “moral and spiritual development, resolving conflict, self-esteem,” she said.
Those are just three of more than 20 topics offered throughout the day.
Wier said the variety of subjects, including how children deal daily with poverty, anger and special needs, demonstrates that Southwest Texas United Methodists are committed to offering Christ to all—and equipping others to do so as well.
The keynote address by Leigh Gregg, pastor of Veribest UMC, is to guide adults to discover a child’s potential by examining that child’s past, present and future. Her address is based on Isaiah 43:4a: You are precious in my sight, and I love you.
Gregg served as director of children and family ministries at Sierra Vista UMC, San Angelo, for 15 years. She is an elementary school curriculum writer for the United Methodist Publishing House.
Gregg plans to ask workshop participants to consider what they know about their charges’ early childhood and daily life.
Gregg is to encourage introspection with questions such as: What are my dreams and goals for this child? What can I do now to help this child grow closer to God, to begin to share his or her faith?
The result, Gregg said, is thoughtful consideration about how adults can help children reach their full potential as children of God.
Program, registration and location information is available at www.umcswtx.org.