by Janis Shank
Have any of you read the Real Simple magazine? I am drawn to the clean, simple cover and the practical advice included in small doses. How to get things done in less time, maximum return for minimal effort, just the essentials, simple solutions to everyday household problems, cost effective recommendations for basic items ... I love this stuff! Well, heres a “real simple” women’s ministry idea to consider as summer is approaching: Park Day!
Let me explain and give some background. Years ago, while living in Virginia Beach we hosted a series of four Wednesday morning outreaches titled “Summer Fair” at a regional park. Our goal was to provide moms and their kids an exciting morning of fun and fellowship, as well as provide an opportunity for women to invite neighbors and friends to a “non-church” event. We rented a pavilion, printed invitations, purchased a professional banner with the name and logo, and planned four fun events, one for each week as follows: 1. fire truck demonstration complete with firemen and fire safety tips; 2. a bee keeper demonstration complete with honey samples (very interesting, educational and safe), 3. a dentist who came did a fun program with skits and posters on dental hygiene and gave out free tooth brushes and sugar free gum (not quite as fun as the bees!); 4. I don’t remember! (sorry, I’m over 45!)
You might be asking, where is the “real simple” in this idea!?Yeah, you’re right, it wasn’t real simple. Fun, rewarding, a hit, but not easy. So the next summer we ditched the “fair” part and maintained the “summer” part! We staked a claim at a residential beach with public parking and bathrooms and put an announcement in the bulletin inviting all moms and kids and anyone else to come join us for fellowship and fun! It was so easy and the moms and kids loved it! We continued this tradition in Denver, only this time we had no beach. Bummer! Instead, we chose two parks, central to the geographic areas where most of the families in the church lived, making sure they had public parking and bathrooms. We put the information in our church bulletin, including dates, times, places and a contact person for questions. On the first week of the summer park days, we included a flyer/invitation with some suggestions and reminders to make these fellowship times fruitful and safe, something along these lines:
1. Opportunity for moms to delight their kids with a morning at the park. The safety and whereabouts of children is always primary and is the mom’s responsibility, along with food and drinks.
2. Opportunity to meet and encourage other moms.
3. Opportunity to reach out to neighbors and friends.
4. Opportunity to reflect the gospel to one another!
Perhaps this spurs an idea of how something similar may work for the women in your church. If your church is large, maybe this can be modified for small groups.
Lots happened on those park days! Kids had fun, moms built relationships where care, prayer and practical help was given and the gospel was on display to friends and neighbors. Ask my kids and they will say that these days were wonderful memories in their childhood and ask my friends who will testify to friendships birthed and nurtured that exist to this day though miles separate us. Park Day truly yielded a maximum return with minimum effort. Simply wonderful!
By the way, we still want to hear from you! Please email us your questions, suggestions, ideas and comments. This is your blog!!!
