Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Windows and Mirrors: A Program about Diversity for Grades 4-5

Faith In Action: Multi-Generational Congregational Event

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Post small groups' contributions from Activity 4, Creating a Congregational Event.
  • Post fresh newsprint.

Description of Activity

In Activity 4, the group looked at the congregation's events and activities in terms of what someone of a particular age or stage of life might find meaningful or fun. This Faith in Action activity guides the group to plan and suggest to congregational leaders an explicitly multigenerational, adapted or brand new event or activity.

Lead the group to review the events explored by the small groups, with an eye toward choosing one to suggest to your congregation. You might also introduce for consideration a new multigenerational event idea for the group to plan. Consider offering a social justice or pastoral activity, or a children's activity with roles for all ages. Alternate Activity 1, Making Pastoral Cards, might provide the seed for an all-ages activity at your congregation.

There are many ways you might choose an event to plan as intentionally multigenerational; one way might be to hand each participant two differently colored dot stickers (for example, red and yellow) and ask everyone to mark their first and second choices on the posted newsprint lists. The event with the most dots wins.

Once an event or activity is selected, lead the group to plan the event. Brainstorm ideas on how it can be welcoming, enjoyable, and meaningful for people of different ages. An adult should briefly record ideas on the blank newsprint. Start the planning process with questions like the following:

  • What is the name of the event?
  • What is the purpose of the event?
  • What ages are involved now?
  • Does the event affect everyone or only some people? Who?
  • Who hosts the event now?
  • How is the event advertised?
  • What time of day is it held?
  • Where it is the event held?
  • How could physical movement be involved but not required?
  • Are participants asked to read, or read/speak aloud? How can folks who cannot read yet, or do not feel comfortable speaking in public, participate?
  • Would parents with babies be able to participate?
  • What kind(s) of food are served?
  • What games or icebreakers might bring all ages together at this event?
  • What accessibility or inclusion issues might there be?
  • What safety issues might there be?

Once the purpose and basic plan for the event are established, gather ideas for making it maximally welcoming, enjoyable and meaningful. Refer to the list of age groups (Leader Resource 1) to make sure all are addressed. Find consensus on suggestions as you go along.

Save about five minutes for working together on a proposal to congregational leadership about the event. The proposal might be in form of a letter to your minister or committee chair(s), or an outline of what will happen at the event. Draft the proposal on newsprint.

Have a volunteer type and print the proposal, leaving room for all participants to sign. Thank everyone for their participation and invite them to share clean-up.