Milestones Ministry
at First Presbyterian Church, Nashville
Just as the ancient roadways used stones to mark the miles traveled, the community of faith can partner with parents in nurturing children along their spiritual journey by providing opportunities to mark the spiritual milestones that are experienced in the years between birth and age twelve and celebrate the spiritual growth that is occurring along the way.
The Milestone Ministry of First Presbyterian Church nurtures and celebrates the faith development of children at different ages and stages along their spiritual journey. For each milestone, parents and children are involved in an educational opportunity as well as a family celebration.
Educational Opportunities are designed to occur during the Sunday School hour and may or may not include parents’ direct participation in the classroom. But parent involvement is encouraged as part of the ministry through resources provided to use at home that support the learning happening at church. Parent Guides are provided for each Milestone that include a key scripture, appropriate catechism questions, suggestions for nurturing children through caring conversations, daily devotions, family traditions, and servant acts. A list of suggested books for children and parents that compliment the Milestone is also included in the Parent Guide.
Milestone Ministry Celebrations offer children, parents, teachers and educators a chance to acknowledge and celebrate each new step in a child’s faith journey. At each milestone celebration, a Faith Stone is given to the child along with a small card containing the key verse for that Milestone and a word of explanation about the Milestone. Faith Stones are created using thumbprints and have a symbol unique to each Milestone hand drawn on them. Our Faith Stones were created by our 4th graders at their Confirmation retreat last spring! A Treasure Box is also given to the child when he/she receives his/her first Faith Stone to provide a special place for collecting the Faith Stones. Additional keepsakes may be given during celebrations as well (a memory book the child has created, a Bible, or another gift from the church.)
Bulletin announcements and newsletter articles for each Milestone encourage the larger community of faith to celebrate each Milestone through prayer and praise to God making the Milestones Ministry an integral part of the ministry of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN.
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