Children’s Day for 2011 will be August 28, 2011. The World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk will be June 4-5, 2011.

Kids Connexion . . . with God, the Church, the Family, and the Community/the World
Children’s Day, August 28, 2011

Click here to download the 2011 Children’s Day Pages.

Yes, we have changed from a Children’s Week to a Children’s Day.

Why? We conducted a survey among the readers of our monthly newsletter. The majority of the respondents said they preferred a single day to honor children rather than a week—especially in the summer. Most of the children have a week of Vacation Bible School and a week at summer camp. To expect local church directors to plan events for another whole week was asking a great deal. However, if a local director has the time and the energy, go for it!

Yes, we have changed the time of the year from June to August. Many churches conduct Vacation Bible School and summer camps during June and July. It would be difficult to add another event to those months. It seemed better to add this day of celebration to what is typically an August event—Promotion Sunday!

We realize that local churches promote their children on different Sundays. That is fine. Each local church will set the dates for promotion and children’s day based on its local calendar. However, we want to give you a target date, so you will not forget to do it!

If you have an early childhood education facility, preschool, elementary school, or after-school program, invite all of the children and parents to participate in the Children’s Day events. Plan a way to highlight these children. Include a time of appreciation for parents who bring their children to your church for weekday care and education.

In the Children’s Day materials, we want to give you some ideas for celebrating the importance of children to the church—-on whatever Sunday you choose to celebrate. There are more ideas than you can use on a single day—-or even a weekend. Choose the activities that will work best in your church. Perhaps these ideas will spark some creative ideas from you. Use every possible opportunity to remind the children of God’s immeasurable love for them.
   
Theme for 2011 Children’s Day
The theme for 2011 is Kids Connexion--with God, the Church, the Family, and the Community/the World. The theme verse from Ephesians 4:16 (NCV*) says: “The whole body depends on Christ, and all parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.”

This verse reminds us that the body of Christ, the Church, is dependent on everyone working together to accomplish its goals. From the tiniest baby to the oldest senior citizen—everyone can contribute to the Church. God gives each person gifts and abilities that help the Church to function well and prosper.

Sometimes there are people who feel that children are not a part of the Church yet. Since children do not contribute much financially, some people may overlook the contributions they make to the local church and to God’s kingdom. In many cases, children can contribute much more than the people expect. The Children’s Day materials will remind you of ways to honor and celebrate the importance of children in your church.

Children’s Day Goals
1. Help families and the local church recognize the need to invest time, energy, and resources into children.

2. Remind the families and the local church to share the gospel with boys and girls and to disciple them.

3. Provide ways for children and their families to participate in church services, activities, and mission and service projects as they disciple others.

4. Honor and show appreciation for those who disciple children in the family and at church.

*(Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission.)

Click here to download the 2011 Children's Day Poster