Stewardship for Children Presented by Sue Erschen Freelance stewardship writer and consultant. Has written stewardship training manuals, newsletters and brochures, including Understanding Stewardship Conducted stewardship training workshops for ICSC and regional stewardship conferences Served as the Director of Stewardship Education for the Archdiocese of St. Louise from 1999 to 2012 20 years experience in non-profit public relations, volunteer relations and development, 25 years in parish volunteer work. Degree in business communications from Saint Louis University. Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Instructions have been lost! Catholics are: Less likely to tithe Less likely to give in any way Less likely to feel any connection Less likely to be actively involved 1
Be Prepared for Resistance! Why? Why? Why? NO!! NO!! NO!! Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Kids can teach their parents Children can be primary religious educators of their parents. We have the children (at least for now) in our educational programs. Sower and the Seed Luke 8:4-15 2
Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Kids can teach their parents Ecology movement started in grade schools. Stories from priests of children encouraging parents to give more Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Teaching stewardship to children is a best practice. Research by Dr. Charles Zech Best Practices in Parish Stewardship. Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Kids need to hear this message! 3,000 times a day kids hear that they need more stuff. Before they are 21 they will hear 23 million times that they are only as good as the stuff they have. 3
Why Teach Stewardship to Children? In Church they need to hear a different message. God has given them all they need!!! What they have is ENOUGH. They even have gifts to share! God has a special role in mind for them in our Church. A role that only they can play. Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Kids begin to form their attitude about giving between the ages of 6 10 Will they think 1. The World Owes Me! 2. I Owe the World. Why Teach Stewardship to Children? Stewardship is a gift we give our children. Builds their self-esteem. Reminds them how blessed they are. Prepares them for a life of contentment and happiness. 4
Views on Children s Stewardship 1.Not a class or project! 2. Involve the families with the kids 3.Involve the kids with the community 4.Give the kids a voice 5. Recognize that kids can give! Not A Class or Project Stewardship is a way of life. Just studying stewardship in school does not make us stewards. A service project is not enough. Stewardship must permeate the child s life in the parish. Involve Families with the Kids Stewardship column in the parent newsletter. Stewardship assignments that involve the family. Stewardship discussed at parent meetings. Family commitment to good stewardship. 5
Involve Kids in the Community Giving envelopes for children. Kids participating in the Festival of Ministries and other parish ministries. Kids making posters for Stewardship. Kids creating parish Stewardship newsletter. Give Kids A Voice Make Stewardship a committee of Student Council. Let kids research needs. Let kids decide where their money will go. Let kids decide how they will use their gifts to help others. Recognize that Kids Can Give! Kids have money!! Kids have more disposable income than many heads of households. Encourage kids to bring their own gifts not something that their parents have given them to give. 6
Ask a Question Offer a Comments Share an Insight Presented by: Sue Erschen Moderated by: DianeBrumbaugh 1. Simple enough for every child to know and understand. 2. Discuss these messages repeatedly and spontaneously. 3. Feature on bulletin boards, in daily prayer and all parish communications. 1. God has given us many blessings! (Each and every one of us!) 7
REAL EXAMPLES! Gift Boards 2. Be actively grateful! Cleansing of the 10 Lepers Luke 17:11-19 8
REAL EXAMPLES! Gratitude Trees REAL EXAMPLES! Thank-You Notes from Students to Parish Donors 3. Spend time with God every day 9
Eucharistic Adoration for Students REAL EXAMPLES! 4. Stewardship built our Church. REAL EXAMPLES! Stewardship Pledge Cards and Ministry Catalogs for Kids 10
REAL EXAMPLES! Tithing Fridays 5. Every decision we make is a stewardship decision. 11
Stewardship: Start with Prayer Lord, what do You want me to do with all the gifts You have given me including my time, my talents and my material things? Lord, how would You like me to become more fully involved in the life of Your Church? Lord, how would You like me to payback all the gifts You have given me? Over the Doors Coming in each day Enter to Learn Going home each night Go Forth to Serve REAL EXAMPLES! Stewardship Messages on the Walls 12
6. Stewardship brings us joy. REAL EXAMPLES! Peas and Coke Challenge 1. God has given us many blessings! 2. Be actively grateful! 3. Spend time with God every day. 13
4. Stewardship built our Church. 5. Every decision we make is a stewardship decision. 6. Stewardship brings us joy. Loaves and Fishes John 6:1-15 There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. John 6:9 Resources Catholic Relief Services www.education.crs.org Includes prayers, prayer services, lesson plans and activities for nine social justice issues including: Hunger Global Poverty Care of Creation Clean Water 14
Resources US Catholics Bishops Stewardship Letter to Youth www.usccb.org Search Stewardship and Teenagers Ideas and Activities for Teachers, Students and Families of all Faiths www.learningtogive.org Resources A Stewardship Resource Database: Including Quotes, Stories, Humor and Much More www.luthersem.edu Click on Stewardship Then Stewardship Resource Database Teaching through the Movie, The Ultimate Gift www.youthfilmproject.org Click Download Free F.I.L.M. Curricula Then Browse Films for The Ultimate Gift Recommended for ages 12-18 Resources Environmental Stewardship www.earthday.net Check out: Footprint Calculator Educator Network World Hunger www.readtofeed.org 15
Thank You! Contact Information Sue Erschen sueerschen@swbell.net 16