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Good Direction -- Evaluate: Step 2 in Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational

Posted by Tracey Daniels at Apr 12, 2023

Liz PerraudExecutive DirectorGenOn Ministries I have little experience with home building or remodeling, but as one who assisted my mother in hanging wallpaper many times, I do understand how a plumb line works. Those who hang pictures or wallpaper or build things use a plumb line to keep their work straight. When the cord is held in such a way that the weight can dangle freely, the plumb line ensures a structure or object is centered. This simple tool is a checkpoint for evaluating a good direction and making corrections. In the Bible, a plumb line was...

Celebrating in the Pandemic: A Growth Group Journey

Posted by Liz Perraud at Apr 06, 2022

A look at one church’s journey with GenOn’s Growth Group for Intergenerational Ministry during the pandemic: “We’ve been going against the wind with this process (and value that); not just waiting it out (which is more passive). Just the act of planning something was heroic.” - Lew Parks, pastor, Growth Group team leader, Mt. Olivet United Methodist Lew and his team chose to focus on Fellowship from the four Ministry Areas – Worship, Study, Service and Fellowship. Their goal was “to celebrate holy days of the church year and religious themes in secular holidays through festive fellowship events that feature...

Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational

Posted by Tracey Daniels at Jan 10, 2020

Rev. Dr. Christian D. Boyd Pastor, Southminster PC (USA), Waukesha, Wisconsin Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Milwaukee PC (USA) Southminster Presbyterian Church (USA) in Waukesha, Wisconsin, four years ago discerned its core values and practices as a part of its 50-year anniversary and the kickoff of strategic planning. One of the core values articulated was around Christian formation for all ages and participation in God’s mission. In short, Southminster is called to be intergenerational. The ramifications of this are rethinking how we do Christian education and Sunday school, especially in light of the multiple time commitments of...

Experience LIFT in Intergenerational Ministry Workshop

Posted by Liz Perraud at Jul 07, 2019

Kim LooneyPlymouth Congregational Church Syracuse, NY When I saw that GenOn was leading a workshop at the recent InterGenerate conference in Nashville, I was thrilled because I was about to begin a four-week Summer LIFT experiment with my congregation and welcomed the opportunity to experience LIFT for myself first. I felt both surprised and relieved at how simple LIFT can be! And yet its simplicity does not take away from the depth of the experience. It adds to it because there is more room for flexibility and relationship building while exploring the shared stories of our faith. As Director of...

Denominations Come Together for a Common Purpose

Posted by Tracey Daniels at May 06, 2019

Betsy DishmanTraining CoordinatorGenOn Ministries What would inspire seven churches, including Presbyterian (PCUSA), United Methodist, Presbyterian (ECO), Nondenominational, and Free Methodist to gather together? If you answered, “a desire to provide excellent ministry for children and youth,” you’re right! This common goal helps to build bridges in communities where Christian churches of various denominations and backgrounds can benefit from learning and networking together. Recently First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA offered a Children’s Ministry Gathering led by GenOn. The takeaways for participants could be applied to midweek ministry, Sunday mornings in Sunday School or LIFT, and other areas of...