Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

Saturday, September 10, 2016
8:30 AM to 3:15 PM  (Lunch Included)
Registration begins at 8:30, Keynote begins at 9:15
West Lawn United Methodist Church, 15 Woodside Avenue, Reading, PA

Join us for a very special time to ignite and energize your children’s ministries! Fabulous workshops on including children in worship, Safe Sanctuaries, building your education team, children in the digital age, creative planning, and working with those with special needs are being offered, along with an inspiring keynote about What Every Child Should Know. We will also have meaningful worship, a resource table, and networking opportunities!

Come hear our dynamic keynote speaker:

Melanie C. Gordon

Melanie C. Gordon is the Director of Ministry with Children at Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church. She provides training and resourcing nationwide, but she also provides research and networking opportunities for leaders and teachers engaged in ministry with children.

Melanie holds degrees from Clemson University and Duke Divinity School. She wrote, What Every Child Should Experience: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders in United Methodist Congregations, and she blogs regularly at ministrywithchildren.com, exploring issues that impact how children of millennials grow in faith. 

“I love to connect congregations and conferences with resources that will support them,” Melanie says, “as we share with children our Christian faith through developmentally appropriate and enriching experiences!” 

• Download the promotional flyer, with mail-in paper registration form! [PDF]

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 1, 2016

Questions? Contact: Elizabeth Christie, elizabeth.d.christie@gmail.com

“This will be a wonderful event, and I hope our churches will take advantage of it. We all know that if a church wants to grow it needs to focus on children’s ministry. That is the reason this event is planned: to encourage our children’s ministry workers and provide them with tools that are important.” 
–Christopher Kurien

AGENDA

• 8:45-9:00—Registration
• 9:00-9:15:—Opening Session
• 9:15-10:15—Keynote Address by Melanie Gordon
• 10:15-11:45—Morning Workshops
• 11:45-1:00—Lunch
• 1:00-2:30—Afternoon Workshops
• 2:30-3:15—Closing Worship and Communion

Morning Workshops:

1. Everyone Belongs: Working with Children with Special Needs — Elizabeth Christie
2. Safe Sanctuaries – Rev. Don Keller
3. Making Sunday School Irresistible – Lynley Jones
4. Camping and Children’s Ministry – Staff of Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center
5. Working with Children with Trauma Histories – Dyane Carrere
   (i.e. children from poverty, war-torn countries, etc.)

Afternoon Workshops:

1. All Together Now: Including ALL Ages and Abilities in ONE Setting – Elizabeth Christie
2. Children’s Ministry Calendar and Planning – Lynley Jones
3. God and the Digital Generation – “What Every Child Should Know” — Melanie Gordon
4. Mandated Reporter Training (Safe Sanctuaries) – Lisa Cameron
5. Building Your Servant Team – Karen Todd