ADVOCATE
Created to Be Me Camp
By: Beth Herrinton-Hodge I can think of few more life-changing experiences for youth than the opportunity to develop a healthy self-esteem and appreciation of one’s person and body as a precious gift from God. The church is in a particularly opportune position to...
Reflecting on The Well at Burke Presbyterian Church
By: Arlene Decina For the past five summers at Burke Presbyterian Church (BPC), we have taken a leap—from the traditional Vacation Bible School (VBS) that had always been a highlight of our children’s programming—into something that has been, for us, new and...
Finding Space and Time through Confirmation Retreats
By: Jacob Sorenson Too often, people think of confirmation as a class. Those in the Reformed traditions seem to have a particular knack of reducing confirmation ministry to a transfer of knowledge. When lessons come after busy school days, it reinforces this notion....
Mission Camp @ VBS
By: Kathryn McGregor Each summer, our church hosts a large, well-established Vacation Bible School (VBS). The VBS leaders began to notice, however, that participation by fourth- and fifth-graders was decreasing. These children said they felt that they had outgrown...
Finding God at Camp
By: What is it about getting away from our normal routines and into a camp setting that makes it easier to hear the voice of God? The Advocate will explore that question and others like it over the next few weeks as we share stories of faith formation in camp...
A Prayer Reflection for Easter
By: A Prayer Reflection for Easter They went to the tomb and he was not there. In his place, a mound of discarded clothes and a young man. This wasn’t what they expected. So much in these past days had not been what they expected. A festive arrival in the old city. An...
From the Archives: THIS IS THE NIGHT! The Great Vigil of Easter
By: Darlene Bergman During Lent we will be reposting some excellent articles from our archives aimed at supporting you, the Educator, during this season of reflection, prayer and spiritual renewal. You may find a new idea or two for future Lenten programming, as well....
From the Archives: Teach Us to Pray
By: Debra Rienstra During Lent we will be reposting some excellent articles from our archives aimed at supporting you, the Educator, during this season of reflection, prayer and spiritual renewal. You may find a new idea or two for future Lenten programming, as well....
From the Archives: Living Better, Not Bitter
By: Debby Madden During Lent we will be reposting some excellent articles from our archives aimed at supporting you, the Educator, during this season of reflection, prayer and spiritual renewal. You may find a new idea or two for future Lenten programming, as well....
Keeping it Simple
By: James Tyrell During Lent we are publishing some great articles from our archives. This article was first published in the Winter 2009 edition. Over the last three years, my wife and I have taken several steps to simplify our lives. The simplification we call...