Hesston Elementary Service Project Article from Hesston Record
Hesston Elementary Service Project by Hesston MB Church families by Jackie Nelson
The Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church’s children and parents came together to serve the Hesston Elementary School Saturday, April 2. A group of 32 parents and children gathered together to host a service day with J.L. Martin, Hesston Mennonite Brethren’s Associate
Pastor of Family Ministries.
Martin said the day was a positive learning experience for both parents and children. Martin said when most church members hear “service project,” many associate such projects with older youth, young adults and adult church leaders. “It’s important, and my belief, that we need to help kids understand that they can serve now rather than when they are teens or adults,” said Martin.
Martin said children and parents working together in service helped reinforce the children’s ability to be active members of the congregation and gave their parents a chance to talk with children about being good stewards. “It’s important for parents and their children or grandparents and their grandchildren to serve together and have a working dialogue alongside each other. There is a lot they can learn about each other working together,” he said.
Martin said the service project at the elementary school provided a unique opportunity for children to work in an environment in which they are in every day. “This is something we’ll do on a regular basis. The kids enjoyed it, and took a lot of pride in what we did on Saturday. They get to go back to school and tell their friends, “hey, I served here on Saturday.” It gives them some ownership and a sense of pride to keep things looking nice at the school,” said Martin.
Martin said he worked with Hesston Elementary School Guidance Counselor Kelley Litton to put together a list of tasks children and parents could work on together. “They came up with nine things that we could do. We weeded different areas around the school, smoothed out rocks and wood chips on the playgrounds, washed doors and windows and picked up leaves and trash,” said Martin.
Martin said it will be an on-going effort to incorporate children’s service in the larger church calendar. “I try to plan activities monthly for families and so about three times a year, we do one
service project just for kids and parents. We have to think about where the best place is for these kids to give back to their community,” he said.
The Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church’s children and parents came together to serve the Hesston Elementary School Saturday, April 2. A group of 32 parents and children gathered together to host a service day with J.L. Martin, Hesston Mennonite Brethren’s Associate
Pastor of Family Ministries.
Martin said the day was a positive learning experience for both parents and children. Martin said when most church members hear “service project,” many associate such projects with older youth, young adults and adult church leaders. “It’s important, and my belief, that we need to help kids understand that they can serve now rather than when they are teens or adults,” said Martin.
Martin said children and parents working together in service helped reinforce the children’s ability to be active members of the congregation and gave their parents a chance to talk with children about being good stewards. “It’s important for parents and their children or grandparents and their grandchildren to serve together and have a working dialogue alongside each other. There is a lot they can learn about each other working together,” he said.
Martin said the service project at the elementary school provided a unique opportunity for children to work in an environment in which they are in every day. “This is something we’ll do on a regular basis. The kids enjoyed it, and took a lot of pride in what we did on Saturday. They get to go back to school and tell their friends, “hey, I served here on Saturday.” It gives them some ownership and a sense of pride to keep things looking nice at the school,” said Martin.
Martin said he worked with Hesston Elementary School Guidance Counselor Kelley Litton to put together a list of tasks children and parents could work on together. “They came up with nine things that we could do. We weeded different areas around the school, smoothed out rocks and wood chips on the playgrounds, washed doors and windows and picked up leaves and trash,” said Martin.
Martin said it will be an on-going effort to incorporate children’s service in the larger church calendar. “I try to plan activities monthly for families and so about three times a year, we do one
service project just for kids and parents. We have to think about where the best place is for these kids to give back to their community,” he said.
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