So much has been written about the upcoming FEAST celebration at the Green Lake Conference Center June 21-24, but much of the detail focuses on things that appear to be of interest mostly to adults.
Nothing could be further from the truth, says Lisa Orris, director of planning for The FEAST, which was intentionally designed to be an intergenerational experience for the entire family. After all, she notes with a smile, Jesus said that to really understand the kingdom of God, we must become as little children.
A key emphasis for children and youth involves spiritual development – in fact, an entire worship service on Monday morning of that week is built around the theme of the importance of children and youth in the life and worship of the local church. Children will be included during the first 30 minutes of the other worship services as well.
“There often appears to be so much segregation of children, youth and adults when it comes to the typical worship experience,” Orris notes.
The FEAST believes in the importance of children being involved so that they feel part of the larger church family. “It is one of our goals to encourage children – and adults – to exerience the intergenerational aspect of worship,” Orris adds.
While children will play a decided role in corporate worship, they also will have their own special times to interact with their own age group as they gather in Pillsbury Hall. The following programs will be available:
• Shepherds Fold (nursery, toddler) – The Shepherds Fold staff is committed to the care of the youngest of God’s children. “You can be assured your child will receive safe loving care in an environment especially designed for young children,” Orris says.
• Preschool Kingdom (ages 3 through kindergarten) – These children will pray, worship, play in a make-believe land, listen to stories, have fun with crafts, sing songs, play games, and explore God’s word.
• Adventure Camp (first through sixth grades) – Get ready for a spiritual adventure, says Lisa. Adventure Camp will feature worship, prayer stories, music, games, crafts, puppets, having fun with God’s word, and special activities.
The FEAST is also a time for fun, Orris stresses, and there’s lots of that in store for children and youth participating in this year’s program, which takes place in an outdoor campground setting along beautiful Green Lake.
Fun times and activities for youth (seventh grade and older) include:
• Special youth room to hang out with friends
• The Amazing Bike Race
• Boat rides
• Bonfires
• Workshops
• Beach party
• Coffee house
• Ice cream
• Tons of games
“My hope is that they build solid lifelong Christ-centered relationships as they play together, pray together, and praise together at The FEAST with their peers,” says Diana Temple, youth pastor at Naperville Covenant and leader of youth at The FEAST. “My hope is that they have a great time laughing and experiencing God’s presence.”
The same applies to the younger children, especially opportunities to grow deeper in their relationship with God, says Steve Burger, who is serving as leader of children’s ministry at The FEAST. “What I see . . . is babies being cared for, embraced and blessed in love, and children earnestly praying with each other, with families, and with other adults and youth, a celebration of a people before God – singing, dancing, laughing, crying. And when they leave, to have been so touched by God and those around them that they carry their rejoicing, guided by the Spirit, out into the world and through their living, to share God’s love with others.”
Registration for The FEAST remains open, though those registering at this time will find they may need to search for accommodations at hotels more distant from the conference center. Orris suggests, however, that individuals also email The FEAST registrar, Jill Ulven, to see if any rooms have become available due to last-minute cancellations.
For more information, visit The FEAST. To register, visit the registration page. To read earlier news stories published in this Covenant News Service daily report, visit One-Voice Choir, Online Registration and Seminars Announced.
GREEN LAKE, WI (June 4, 2008) – Did you know that The FEAST is actually for kids?
So much has been written about the upcoming FEAST celebration at the Green Lake Conference Center June 21-24, but much of the detail focuses on things that appear to be of interest mostly to adults.
Nothing could be further from the truth, says Lisa Orris, director of planning for The FEAST, which was intentionally designed to be an intergenerational experience for the entire family. After all, she notes with a smile, Jesus said that to really understand the kingdom of God, we must become as little children.
A key emphasis for children and youth involves spiritual development – in fact, an entire worship service on Monday morning of that week is built around the theme of the importance of children and youth in the life and worship of the local church. Children will be included during the first 30 minutes of the other worship services as well.
“There often appears to be so much segregation of children, youth and adults when it comes to the typical worship experience,” Orris notes.
The FEAST believes in the importance of children being involved so that they feel part of the larger church family. “It is one of our goals to encourage children – and adults – to exerience the intergenerational aspect of worship,” Orris adds.
While children will play a decided role in corporate worship, they also will have their own special times to interact with their own age group as they gather in Pillsbury Hall. The following programs will be available:
• Shepherds Fold (nursery, toddler) – The Shepherds Fold staff is committed to the care of the youngest of God’s children. “You can be assured your child will receive safe loving care in an environment especially designed for young children,” Orris says.
• Preschool Kingdom (ages 3 through kindergarten) – These children will pray, worship, play in a make-believe land, listen to stories, have fun with crafts, sing songs, play games, and explore God’s word.
• Adventure Camp (first through sixth grades) – Get ready for a spiritual adventure, says Lisa. Adventure Camp will feature worship, prayer stories, music, games, crafts, puppets, having fun with God’s word, and special activities.
The FEAST is also a time for fun, Orris stresses, and there’s lots of that in store for children and youth participating in this year’s program, which takes place in an outdoor campground setting along beautiful Green Lake.
Fun times and activities for youth (seventh grade and older) include:
• Special youth room to hang out with friends
• The Amazing Bike Race
• Boat rides
• Bonfires
• Workshops
• Beach party
• Coffee house
• Ice cream
• Tons of games
“My hope is that they build solid lifelong Christ-centered relationships as they play together, pray together, and praise together at The FEAST with their peers,” says Diana Temple, youth pastor at Naperville Covenant and leader of youth at The FEAST. “My hope is that they have a great time laughing and experiencing God’s presence.”
The same applies to the younger children, especially opportunities to grow deeper in their relationship with God, says Steve Burger, who is serving as leader of children’s ministry at The FEAST. “What I see . . . is babies being cared for, embraced and blessed in love, and children earnestly praying with each other, with families, and with other adults and youth, a celebration of a people before God – singing, dancing, laughing, crying. And when they leave, to have been so touched by God and those around them that they carry their rejoicing, guided by the Spirit, out into the world and through their living, to share God’s love with others.”
Registration for The FEAST remains open, though those registering at this time will find they may need to search for accommodations at hotels more distant from the conference center. Orris suggests, however, that individuals also email The FEAST registrar, Jill Ulven, to see if any rooms have become available due to last-minute cancellations.
For more information, visit The FEAST. To register, visit the registration page. To read earlier news stories published in this Covenant News Service daily report, visit One-Voice Choir, Online Registration and Seminars Announced.
