Worship

3 Wondrous Ways to Celebrate All Saints’ Day with Kids

Celebrate All Saints’ Day with children and open them up to the significance of those who have gone before and to the value of their own life here and now.

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Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve or The Day Before All Saints Day. See the connection?

Growing up, I never knew this connection. I was entirely unaware that this super fun, candy-crazed, neighborhood run amok related to the day at church when we remembered our ancestors of the faith. To be honest, I don’t know that I ever celebrated All Saints’ Day as I grew up in the church.

What a loss! Because it is seriously such a gift to faith families, and one often under-appreciated. Celebrate All Saints’ Day with kids and teach them just how lasting our connections in the family of faith are and how profound the gift of life is.

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Quick Facts About All Saints’ Day

When I hear the word saints I think of high church, gold gilding, stained-glass windows. But, really, All Saints’ Day was celebrated long before cathedrals were erected. Let me shed a little bit of light on the origin and practice of this very cool holiday.

This day of remembrance…

…was first celebrated as early as the fourth century to ensure all martyrs were honored since martyrdom had increased during the persecution of the Late Roman Empire.
…became a formalized holy day for the diocese of Rome in the middle of the 8th century when Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1.
…Pope Gregory IV made it a holiday for the whole church, not only the diocese of Rome.
…now honors all those who have gone before us and reside in the realm of Heaven.
…is also known as Feast of All Saints and All Hallows Day. (A hallow was a saint or holy person.)
…falls the day after Halloween.

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…overlaps with the Mexican holiday El Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, when people gather to remember family members and friends who have passed away and pray for their spiritual journey to Heaven.
…is followed in the Catholic Church by All Souls’ Day on November 2nd, which commemorates all the souls in Purgatory readying for entry into Heaven.
…is often celebrated by visiting the grave sites of loved ones who have died to leave flowers and blessings of gratitude.

Connecting in Both Life and Death

So, the days that close October and welcome November are rich with symbolism and honor both life and death. All Hallows’ Eve (or Halloween) begins the celebration on October 31st. Then, All Saints’ Day takes place November 1st. Lastly, All Souls’ Day happens November 2nd.

Remembering the dead is an important exercise of communal memory. Consequently, people of all faith traditions across the world honor and celebrate the dead with festivals. These rituals span history and culture.

So, how do we teach children the richness of life and the gift of those who have come before us? How might we use these days to highlight for them their spiritual ancestors and the importance of their life, too?

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In current times, it’s common to feel disconnected and un-rooted. This is true for children, too. And the church provides powerful ways to connect, rooting us in community with one another.

These connections are celebrated on All Saints’ Day. We ask questions of our own lives as we remember those who have gone before us. What relationships formed me? Who did God use in my life? What moments and people showed me who God is? How will I be remembered? What will I be appreciated for? How can my life be used by God?

We are part of God’s endless creation; each of us a strand of yarn. God knits us together to create beauty, warmth, protection, and comfort in the world as we walk through life alongside one another. Not one of us is left out. Celebrating All Saints’ Day with kids teaches them that they, too, are a strand in God’s ongoing masterpiece.

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Three Easy Ways to Celebrate

When celebrating All Saints’ Day with kids it’s helpful to set yourself objectives. Here, we’ve listed three activities that aim to teach children that…

…all people are saints
…we remember our spiritual ancestors
…others’ lives can teach us how to live for God
…their life matters

Faithful Depiction: Invite the children to draw a picture of a person who has passed away and from whom they learned a lot about life and/or their faith. Invite them to think of qualities in this person they would want to have in their own life. Tell them to draw those qualities and ask that they share with the class when all finished.

Candle Lighting: In worship or Sunday school, invite members to light a candle for each person they’d like to remember. Do this at one table up front or at stations around your space. For increased safety, use battery-operated tea lights. If you use these, use them for all people, not only the children. This will keep them feeling a part of the community. Invite those who are lighting to say something like, “We remember and thank you.”

My Story is God’s Story: Provide the children with booklets made out of construction paper. Invite them to write their life story, one event per page. Encourage them to illustrate their story and to look for ways God was with them and at work along the way. Discuss the ways God can change lives through their story.

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We hope these activities are fun and powerful as you celebrate All Saints’ Day with kids in your church! How are you celebrating All Saints’ Day with kids? Don’t forget to share in the comments below!

To the Outrageously Fabulous Parents with Your Kids in Church: I Salute You

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Having your kids in church with you is hard. And it matters. I promise.

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DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF COPY TO GIVE TO FAMILIES: This is our encouragement letter to all the parents out there, and we think families in your congregations might really enjoy reading it. Click here to download a copy to share with families at your church or parents you know.

You Are Fabulous

To all the parents out there: You are fabulous. Yes, you! I guarantee you that you’re better at raising kids than you often think you are. And all you’re investing in those little humans is already at work in them. This is true even on those days (yes, even those days), when there isn’t even a glimmer of confirmation of that fact.

I see you showing up to church with your arms full. In one hand, the snack bag, a tiny hand in the other and the diaper bag slung over one shoulder. And off you jog after your other little one who’s charging across the parking lot, while shouting back to your oldest, still dawdling, “Lock the car when you get out!”

I know you’re already tired from last night’s less-than-luxurious night of sleep. Yesterday, you were probably at a tournament for your oldest before rushing over to that afternoon swim party.

And, yet, you’re here.

And even when you’re not here…we still think you’re fabulous. We all know that church attendance is not what it was back in the day, and we’re not bemoaning that. Really. We get it. This life stuff…it’s hard. And busy. And filled with many wonderful opportunities for children and youth. And with the schedule of so many families today, sometimes what a family needs more than anything is the chance to just be together on a Sunday morning.

But when you are able to make it to worship, we know the question you might be asking as you pull into the church parking lot…

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“Is It Worth It?!”

You probably wonder if it’s worth it. Does it really matter that you show up at church on Sunday morning? Is it making a difference to anyone that you scramble to get everyone dressed and out the door to be here?

Parenting is hard. It’s so rich and beautiful, lovely and heart-expanding. It’s more than any of us ever imagined it would be. More joyous, more disappointing, more invigorating and more demanding.

And I’m here to tell you that in the midst of all the more-ness of parenting, I’m in awe of you. I don’t need to know you. If you’re the parent who’s reading a blog about having kids in church, I can definitively say I am in awe of you.

And when you invest in having your kids in church – it matters.

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Kids in Church Matters

Kids in church matters to the congregation.

Your family brings with it the gift of your children’s voices. From the sweet sound of their singing to their unassuming (sometimes loud) questions, children invite joy.

When kids are in church, we are all reminded that it’s simply about showing up as we are to worship together. Children’s unfiltered curiosity and authenticity consistently help us let go of our pretense. For this reason, children force us to let go of the notion that worship is an hour-long performance.

Life is messy and unpredictable, and a life of faith isn’t any different. Thank goodness your kids are in church, so we don’t forget that piece of wisdom.

Also, God’s family in it’s most vibrant expression is diverse. So, when we’re all together, we are at our best. We remain the most supple of heart and mind, learning Spirit’s teachings through one another.

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Being in church matters to your kids.

A faith community’s life together is the absolute best teaching tool a church has. Children learn most effectively through observing others. And what better way for them to understand a relationship with God than by watching their spiritual grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles walk the road?

Having your kids in church teaches them that their presence and their worship matters. When children are a part of worship, we show them that they are enough just the way they are.

Your investment in them, pushing to make it here on Sunday morning is nurturing their faith, showing them what it looks like to love God and how valuable they are, merely by being.

Thank You

And you’re doing it. Great job! And thank you. I share with you my sincere gratitude on behalf of all churches everywhere, because what you’re doing is hard and because it matters to us all.

Astoundingly Simple Tips for Your Best-Ever Backpack Blessing

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Holding a backpack blessing during worship is a great way to encourage students preparing for the new school year.

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What’s a Backpack Blessing?

A backpack blessing is a moment set aside during your worship service to encourage students. Doing so celebrates with the excited, and soothes the anxious. No matter the age or how a student is feeling about the upcoming school year, a backpack blessing is a valuable ritual within a faith family.

Students bring their backpack with them to church on an assigned morning. Then, if the worship space is conducive, they head up front with their bag and receive a blessing. Often, students receive a tag to put on their backpack that reminds them of this special blessing.

Are you doing a backpack blessing at your church? We’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments down below.

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Why Do a Backpack Blessing?

Lots of feelings surround the start of a new school year. Some students are over the moon. Others are made nauseous by the thought of a new teacher, class, maybe even a new school. That was me. The thought of school starting would cause my stomach to turn immediately. And some kids don’t care all that much one way or another.

No matter where a kid is on that emotional continuum, ritual offers something for everyone. When we gather to reflect on such a moment of time, we find comfort, grounding and a sense of added significance.

Also, a chapter’s beginning is an important time to recognize God’s faithfulness and care. God walks with us always and sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen and equip us for all the steps we take in life. Don’t worry….God’s Got Your Back! 🙂

Seizing opportunities to highlight this informs our children’s and youth’s faith journeys.

Additionally, we highlight for students what a blessing education and access to it is. Gratitude is the basis for joy, so we offer our young ones a gift when we teach them to search for God’s provision.

Not only that, but we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Take the time to dream about how they might be a blessing in their school and community.

Searching for something concrete? Invest in girls’ education through The Revolutionary Underground Foundation, an organization and girls’ school started in 2006. Their mission is to provide girls and young women in Africa access to learning resources and technology, leadership training and emotional support, focusing on empowering them to become vessels for change.

Helpful Tips for Your Backpack Blessing

Place backpacks up front when students arrive. As a result, they won’t have an issue in getting out of their row to go down front for the blessing during the service.
Ask that the students arrive a few minutes early to go over what they and their parents can expect.
Have the students leave their backpacks up front after the blessing. Once the service is over, invite families to retrieve their children’s backpacks.
Take a photo of all the students with their backpacks to share on social media. Also, it makes a significant impact to mail a print of the picture to the students with a card of encouragement.
Communicate with parents who may need financial assistance for purchasing their children’s backpacks. Coordinate acquiring them before the blessing so their children have a backpack there.

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Variations on the Backpack Blessing

Include all those connected to the education system and parents in the blessing.
Invite students of all ages to participate, not only children and youth.
If students aren’t often present in worship, meet for a backpack blessing at their schools one morning the week classes begin.
Host an end of summer all-church cookout and incorporate the backpack blessing there.
Gift teachers, administrator, janitors, bus drivers, crossing guards, etc. with a pair of scissors decorated with a tag that reads: “You’re a Cut Above the Rest!”

We hope this post has been helpful and that your backpack blessing is a wonderful time to celebrate the coming season and God’s faithfulness within it. Don’t forget to share with us what you’re doing to welcome the school year in the comments below!

And of course, if you’re still looking for a fun and creative new backpack tag to use, be sure to check out our newest “God’s Got Your Back” backpack tag! We also have last year’s tag still available, which says, “Blessed to Be a Blessing” (available in both English and Spanish). You can order your backpack tags below, and also browse through some photos from folks in our community who have used our tags!