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TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020CHILDREN'SMINISTRIESNEWSLETTER
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020Children'sMinistriesCelebrates25 Years!IN THE 1800’SWhile it is true that Children’sMinistries did not become adepartment of the General Conferenceuntil 1995, the Seventh-day AdventistChurch had long recognized theimportance of ministering to childreneven back in the 1800’s. Work forchildren began in 1863 when AdeliaPatten wrote a two-year series oflessons for children. From 1864 through1888 children’s lessons were publishedin the Youth’s Instructor with biblicalhistory and narrative Biblestories. In 1869 G. H. Bell wrote aseries of lessons for children.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTEREARLY 1900’SIn 1890 Our Little Friend begancarrying the Sabbath School lessonsfor primary and kindergartenchildren which lasted for sixty sevenyears. In 1957. Our LittleFriend began to have SabbathSchool lessons for the Cradle Rolland kindergarten children. SabbathSchool lessons for primary childrenappeared in a new publication,Primary Treasure in 1957. SabbathSchool quarterlies for primary andjunior ages started in Australiain 1911-1913 and soon morequarterlies were produced forchildren for the rest of the Englishspeaking world. From 1933 to1936 a series of five volumescalled Bible Stories for the CradleRoll appeared. Other curriculummaterials for children appearedPAGE2
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020periodically, both from the General ConferenceSabbath School Department and from activeand enthusiastic teachers and personnel in localSabbath Schools around the world. In the 1960’sseveral men took an active part in the Children’sministries department: Curtis Barger, TomAshlock, and Ben Leibelt. Tom Ashlock wasresponsible for developing a new VacationBible School program, with pencil activitiesbeing placed in the Our Little Friend andPrimary Treasure At the same time, severalwomen in North America who had a passion forchildren also developed materials for them.They were Maureen Luxton, Helen Craig, LouiseMyers, and Alice Lowe. Louise Myers wrote aseries of program books for the Cradle Roll andKindergarten levels.CHILDREN’S WORK UNDERCHURCH MINISTRIESAlthough there was no organized departmentalwork for children, but at the 1985 GeneralConference session in New Orleans, the ChurchMinistries Department was created, which wasformed from a merger of four departments:Sabbath School/Lay Activities, Stewardship andDevelopment, Youth, and Home and FamilyService. This department includes services andsupport for children’s ministries work, but it wasnot until the 1987 world advisory that children’sministries emerged as a new ministry within theChurch Ministries Department. This department,in cooperation with the Review and Herald andPacific Press publishing associations producedSabbath schoolquarterlies for children.EMERGENCE OF THEDEPARTMENTThe 1995 General Conference session atUtrecht marks a watershed for children’sministries. On July 4, 1995, A. H. Tolhurstproposed a motion from the floor that theChildren’s Ministries Department beestablished as a separate ministry, a separatedepartment of the church. It was secondedand voted, and children’s ministriesbecame the newest department of thechurch, the only department in history tobe suggested from the floor at a session.In the year 2000 a new children’s curriculum,Gracelink was written for the world churchthat stresses four core aspects of theChristian faith: Grace, Worship, Community,Service. This new curriculum lasted twentyyears and at the present moment anothernew children’s curriculum, Alive in Jesus, isbeing developed for the new millennialgeneration.Today Children’s Ministries has become aworldwide ministry with every division in theworld field having a director to oversee thework of spiritual nurturing and training forchildren. Many unions and conferences havealso elected Children’s Ministries directors tominister to children and teensin their territories.GC Newsletter Vol 17 #2 2020These included the Kindergarten SabbathSchool Lessons, Primary Sabbath SchoolLessons, Junior Sabbath School Lessons,Earliteen Sabbath School Lessons, and Mission(children’s edition). The department alsoproduced program helps for cradle roll,primaryand junior/earliteen Sabbath schoolleaders. From 1985-1990, children’s ministriesreceived its impetus from the vision andprompting of Helen Craig, former SabbathSchool associate director for children’s SabbathSchool, Vacation Bible School, and childrenevangelism. From 1990-1995, Dr. Virginia Smithled out in the work for children’s ministries asone of the various support ministries ofthe Church Ministries Department.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE3
DIVISIONDIRECTORSThank you to all the Directors previous, current and those to come for the work you do forChildren! They are the future and your investment cannot be measured. May God bless you in allyou do.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE4
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 202025 years of Children's MinistryThe NetherlandsClair Sanches-Schutte2000 - 2010In 2002 Kidzrally was birthed a yearly event for our elementary schoolchildren 4-12 years started by Clair. We thank God 19 years laterthis Sabbath it is still the highlight of the year for the children. A day full ofhappy smiles and a lot of fun, At Kidzrally children learn about God inmany different ways especially through story telling.Children’s Ministry in the Netherlands encourages young people todevelop their talents. We have many teens and youth involved in ourvolunteer team that we train and help to develop their skills. During theprogram we also provide opportunities for children to show their gifts andtalents on stage.Every year over 600 children and their chaperones come from every partof the country to join us as we enjoy a wonderful Sabbath together. Wethank our team of 80 volunteers who help make Kidzrally an unforgettableexperience for everyone.Madelon Comvalius, CHM DirectorMadelon Comvalius2011 - CurrentCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE5
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020Children's Ministry TheNetherlandsCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE6
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 202025 years of Children's MinistryPolandIn the past 25 years Children's Ministry in Poland have experienced many joys,challenges and adventures. The children have enjoyed many camp meetings,where they have rested, played games and performed plays exploring the Biblein new and exciting ways.Halina Jankowska2008 - CurrentEvery year at Camp meeting in Zatonie, there are a number of activities forchildren to get involved in whilst parents and guardians are able to enjoy otherprograms. During the meetings we also run two training sessions that havebeen led by Directors from the TED, Birte Kendel and Clair Sanches andattended by many people who work with children in local schools andchurches.The talents of our children are to be admired in our programs forChildren's Day, Family Day, Grandmother and Grandfather's Day, End of theschool year and New Year’s celebrations., every year in some churches theyalso have children's church. The children really put a lot of work, commitmentand creativity into everything they do.The TED have been providing successive training for children leaders, that hasbeen a great help and inspiration to them. We have used numerous programsprepared by the G.C., TED and have put on national and district training forleaders, parents and guardians.We thank God that our children are willing to participate in the life of the churchand take an active part in it. It is up to us as adults to notice their talents andencourage their potential.Let us be like Jesus, who identified himself with children. When we care forthem and nurture them, it is as if we are receiving Him. Jesus wants us adults tobe a stairway for our children where they will come to Him, not boulders thatblock their way.Halina Jankowska, CHM DirectorCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE7
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020Children's MinistryPolandCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE8
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 202025 years of Children's MinistryFinlandAnna-Leenaup to 1997Merja Kinnunen1997 - 2007There have been many Children’s Ministry highlights before my time, to namea few we have enjoyed summers at our campground in Kallioniemi and praiseGod that many of our children have made the decision for baptism, Our yearlyweekend programs include a variety of activities to get involved in. Our annualFamily Weekend offers lectures and couple activities for married couples aswell.Merja Kinnunen was active in making her own materials and was part of theteam who translated 36 GraceLink books into Finnish. She is a pioneer in ChildSafety materials in our church and today still active in helping otherdenominations. She also wrote a set of plays on emotions and created thecharacters, Bunny, Strawberry and Carrot. Along with her team she travelledto different day-care centres and performed to children who loved it. Anothercharacter from her time was Detective I. Viki who visited schools and taughtabout honesty.Highlights for me as a Director have been the times spent face to face withchildren and their families since the pandemic, it has also forced me to stepout of my comfort zone and start YouTube sabbath schools for little childrenand those of school age. It was beautiful to work with my 8 year old daughterwho often helped with crafts for the bible stories. I received many positivefeedbacks from the elderly who loved watching them and tired parents, whosaid that the Sabbath schools had been the highlight of their Sabbaths duringlockdown.EiIisa Saarinen2009 - 2019Recently I have started a family café with our local church and it has been oneof the greatest highlights in the midst of all the zoom meetings. The programconsists of songs, playtime and a place where adults can socialise whilstenjoying waffles. I also run a mother-zoom group for mother’s who feel lonelyin the areas where they live. For me it is important to be more available forchildren and families in person, but also try to create some family worshipmaterials to be use at home.Sirpa Iivari, CHM DirectorSirpa livari2019 CurrentCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE9
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020ADRA SloveniaADRA Slovenia is preparing for the new school year together with local churches within the program “Let's Fill Slovenia withHappy Children”. With donor contributions and fundraising that takes place from July to August we are able to help childrenand parents from vulnerable families start a new school year with all the necessary school supplies. School supplies covernotebooks, full pencil cases, art supplies, school bags and more. Each year we are able to assist between 300–400 childrenacross Slovenia and this year will be no different. Children that receive supplies come from very vulnerable families and wetake it as a blessing that not many Adventist children don't find themselves in such position and are always willing toparticipate in this program and contribute some of the supplies they may no longer need.The End of school year 2019/2020 has been a difficult year for vulnerable families, especially for children due to theuncertainty and fear before COVID-19, isolation from peers and teachers and learning on new platforms. Technicalequipment for e-learning was a big issue and ADRA together with donors (ADRA International, TED, Slovenian Conference,LDS, students have managed to supply 37 children with laptops that will undoubtedly serve them also in the new schoolyear.Ana KristovičCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE10
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020Blessings for Children & ParentsCoronavirus and children have at least two things in common, their influence is contagious andthey both have the power to change lives. Hopefully, in these unstable times parents have hadan opportunity to spend more quality time with their little ones. In many countries time stoodstillfor quite some time. Therefore, in our publishing house, Logos, we decided to translate andpublish 10 Christian Values Every Kid Should Know by Donna. Habenicht, to help parents makethe most out of the time they spend with their children. We also plan to publish a children’sbook titled God Bless You and Good Night by Hannah Hall by the end of 2020. We pray thatour publishing ministry will bring blessings to both children and parents.Jasmina OdorčićCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE11
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISIONOCT 2020Pathfinders SloveniaDuring quarantine the pathfinders met online.In addition to the skills they have acquired atthe meetings we organised in Slovenia, thepathfinders and their guides regularly attendonline skills prepared for participants from allover the world by English pathfinders.The pathfinders plunged at the start of theepidemic. Dr. Natalija Bahovec from theClinic for Infectious Diseases and FebrileConditions, guided them through therequirements for acquiring the viruses skilland also taught about COVID-19. In theJournalism skill, we learned about the lawsof journalistic words, how to write a goodstory, develop an attractive title and a coverletter to editors. We used our knowledge towrite various news and posts on socialnetworks.In the Literacy skill we joined forces with theHumanitarian organization ADRA,Slovenia. Ana Kristović introduced us to thetypes of literacy and invited us to sign theADRA petition ‘Every child everywhere inschool’. As part of this skill the pathfindersread to the elderly and children who do notknow how to read. During this timeAdventurers (aged 6 to 10) acquiredappropriate knowledge and instructions forworking at home and performed varioustasks during the week.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERDue to the situation, we paid a lot ofattention to the mental and physical healthof children. We were singing a lot, makingknots, repeated the adventure oath andlearning the pathfinder song, which is nowalso translated into the Slovenian language.Through stories about everyday objects, wepresented moral teachings and theirapplication in everyday life and read goodbooks for an adventurous reading badge.As part of the skill of a Family helper thechildren performed at least one familytask every day for three weeks. We alsotalked about cans and keeping foodfresh in biblical times. We learned aboutstructure and different types of seeds, wealso used the seeds as a metaphor forspiritual and personal growth. As part ofthe Acts of kindness skill, we alsoremembered the lonely, sick and elderlyAdventist believers, for whom the childrenmade encouraging greeting cards.In recent weeks we dedicated our attentionto trees and with our families wediscovered different kinds of trees, speciesand their fruits in nature.Patricija VirtičPAGE 12
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TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISIONSummerCampNazarje, SloveniaJUNE 2020In August our annual Summer Camp for Adventurers andPathfinders took place in Nazarje, Slovenia. The themewas 'Do Something Good Each Day'. Our focus was indoing good deeds for nature, animals and peoplethrough sports, arts, educational and creative activities,mountain hiking and devotionals. The camp welcomedless participants than usual due to coronavirusrestrictions, but that did not stop us making new friendsaround campfires, swimming in nearby cold rivers onmud hurdle trails or even at 2062 meters high up amountaintop! We all had a great time learning aboutGod and enjoying nature.Patricia VirtičPAGE 14CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISIONOCT 2020Sabbath SchoolThis year the Sabbath school for children inSlovenia, as in many other countries was alittle different than usual. The privilege ofonline Sabbath school was that the childrencould sleep longer and if they did not turnthe camera on, they did not need tocomb their hair, but were deprived ofgenuine contact with each other, contactwith other believers and a feeling of greatercloseness with God in His house.Children from 1st to 4th grade loved to singthe songs, participated in physical activities,actively responded and told stories aboutthemselves and about everything that washappening around them. The teenagers wereless talkative, but from Sabbath to Sabbaththey diligently participated in socializing andstudying different Bible topics.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERThe teachers have put in a lot of effort forboth of these age groups. In one of ouractivities we were surprised the childrenfound some little gift and things they coulduse in their study of the Bible.Unfortunately Sabbath school in ourchurches is still going on in limitedcircumstances, but we hope that everythingwill be back to normal soon and that therewill be no obstacles to gathering withoutmasks. We are looking forward to the daywhen we will be able to glorify our God inSabbath school and in all our worshipservices together again and come beforeHim with our requests and thanks toHim.Tatiana Godina MarinPAGE 15
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISIONOCT 2020Summer inCrikvenicaDespite the uncertainty caused by therenewed rise of COVID-19 cases in theregion, Slovenian Conference organised aSummer in Crikvenica.Every day before this event we listenedcarefully to the news, because going toCroatia could expose us to the risk of gettingthe virus or could mean a mandatoryquarantine upon the return home.We prepared a variety of activities forchildren, young people and adults. Throughspending time together we re-experiencedbeauty of the intergenerational church thatlives, prays and works together.We talked with children and teenagers aboutwise use of time, friendship, falling in love,love relationships and other topics. Thentogether with them we listened to apresentation about rowing and weparticipated in searching the hidden treasure.We also enjoyed different creative activities,where we were making bookmarks, drawingon stones, decorating paper bags and fillingthem with snacks, we also made a “SeaWorld” poster. We were also playing Twisterand other social games. In the evenings weplayed volleyball and table tennis, watched amovie, went for a walk and ice cream andenjoyed time jumping on the trampoline.CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERWe also made a boat trip where we couldobserve the seafloor. We visitedthe adventure park and enjoyed the sea,swam, played and rode on inflatablepillows every day.Surprises, like encouraging thoughts, juice orsnacks awaited at the room door almostevery morning. There was a sheet of paperwith our name on the door of each room andeveryone could write some encouragingwords.On the first day of our gathering wecelebrated baptism. The glitter of the sun inthe sea, the flying seagulls, the sound ofwind, waves and songs contributed to themagic of the moment, when 11-year-old Laraprofessed her faith in God and joined thechurch.A big thank you to Trans-European Divison,Adriatic Union Conference, SlovenianConference and ADRA Slovenia whosupported the project for children!With all the responses from children, parentsit was worth every effort and money!Tatiana Godina MarinPAGE 16
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TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020Stories for EveryoneDuring lockdown in Slovenia we began to broadcast various useful contents on our YouTube and Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/adventisti.si) for all users of social networks. Among other activities we told stories forchildren, as we all love to listen to stories. Especially if they are from real life, have a positive message and inspireus, as they fill every corner of our heart. We called these stories “Stories for young and old. Parents told us thatchildren loved to listen to the stories even several times a day. This helped them feel calm, encouraged them to begrateful, happy, trust God and made it easier for them to rest in the evening. We want to continue with this activityso the Slovenian conference is preparing a place for the studio and is looking for volunteers who have the joyand ability to tell stories to children. We hope that we will succeed as we continue contribute to a better future forall.See our stories online:https://www.youtube.com/watchv eX6EwO5ieDw&list PLy68BtzRboMmojNSYX f8Ulg3m2DVCm5H)Tatiana Godina MarinCHILDREN'S MINISTRIES NEWSLETTERPAGE18
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION OCT 2020General Conference Children’s Ministries is celebrating 25 years of ministry to children and adolescents! To commemorate this event, we are calling all children andteens to show us your talents and gifts in our Kids Talents for Jesus. The theme is, Jesus is My Best Friend. We would love to see all children and teens send in your bestpiece of art, or poetry, or media production.All winning entries will be featured in the General Conference Children’s Ministries 25th Anniversary Kids Talents for Jesus publication.For rules and guidelines and the submission form, you can download this from the General Conference Children’s Ministries website and Facebook page at:http://children.adventist.org; Facebook@gcchildrensministries.CHM Director: Clair Sanches-SchutteCHM PA: Caroline Fuller, EditorTrans-European Division119 St Peter's St, St AlbansAL1 3EY, EnglandPlease email your Articles/Reports to:cfuller@ted.adventist.org
and kindergarten children. Sabbath School lessons for primary children appeared in a new publication, Primary Treasure in 1957. Sabbath School quarterlies for primary and ju nior ages star
