SUMMER KIDS' WEEK 2008
A word of encouragement and appreciation by Rev. G. Toensing on Kids' Week celebrating its 10th year anniversary:
I am very pleased to congratulate the Kids’ Week Team at the Church of Peace for having reached their 30th Kids’ Week. This is an amazing feat of love and dedication to the children of the community. I have very fond memories of the Kids’ Weeks in Hillbrow. Indeed it was through the children that Outreach started in the first place, even before we arrived in 1996. The congregation, still largely German, was aging and there were very few children and young people. Then the children’s church helpers started praying for God to send more children. The first children of the community started coming to children’s church and proved that children are the most effective missionaries.
They kept bringing friends and arrived at the church at all times during the week and especially in the holidays, when they were bored. After we came we saw these children as a challenge and opportunity, but it still took some time before the congregation was ready to do Outreach in more comprehensive way and was able to access the funds to employ a Co-coordinator fulltime. Pastor Dalka brought his whole family along – who were to be the biggest asset to Kids’ Week. We began in April 1999 with 15 children and a smattering of young people as helpers. Within that week the numbers grew to 50 children and there was no turning back. Kids’ Week grew in numbers and often it was a case of managed chaos, but all of our organisational capacity and above all the commitment of the young helpers grew and deepened at the same time. The fact that ministering to children had the effect of bringing out the best in young people, turning them into responsible leaders and role models was an unexpected but immensely rewarding aspect of the Kids’ Week ministry. We had great times and there were countless wonderful weeks with great themes, some of which I still advertise on my treasured Kids’ Week T-shirts.
I have especially fond memories of the Christmas week: Jesus light in the darkness” where we built Hillbrow flats and Nativity scenes in them to remind us that Jesus is born where we are. Very memorable was also the week on prayer which was a deeply spiritual experience for all of us. I know Kids’ Week will continue to grow from strength and be a blessing to children and helpers alike. I wish you God’s blessing, much strength and joy. I hope the Kids’ Week welcoming song will continue to ring out for many years to come:
"Come, join us, our God loves you Come, join us, you’re special too!”
The Summer Kids’ Week 2008 was a very special event, because we were celebrating 10 years Kids’ Week and the30th edition of Kids’ Week as well. On average we had +/-550 children and helpers on the premises which is indicative of the phenomenal growth of Kids’ Week over the past ten years! Though this also means that we have to start thinking very imaginatively about hosting future events! The theme for Kids’ Week was JUST FOR TODAY and this theme had daily subthemes:As with all Kids’ Week we want to inspire the children by sharing worship and ministry time with them and by having activities that teach them to become team players, respect each other and the environment. With the theme we wanted everyone involved to take stock of his or her life, reflect where s/he is and change his/her lifestyle if it did not align with the daily subthemes. It is gratifying to see children grow up and become leaders and then become part of the coordinating team. For me these are the success stories creating leaders who are morally grounded. In conclusion I also want to appreciate and thank all the helpers who did a good job, who sacrifice their time to be with us. Guys, keep it up. All the Outreach Foundation Staff and Coordinating team members deserve a big thank you as well.
I am very pleased to congratulate the Kids’ Week Team at the Church of Peace for having reached their 30th Kids’ Week. This is an amazing feat of love and dedication to the children of the community. I have very fond memories of the Kids’ Weeks in Hillbrow. Indeed it was through the children that Outreach started in the first place, even before we arrived in 1996. The congregation, still largely German, was aging and there were very few children and young people. Then the children’s church helpers started praying for God to send more children. The first children of the community started coming to children’s church and proved that children are the most effective missionaries.
They kept bringing friends and arrived at the church at all times during the week and especially in the holidays, when they were bored. After we came we saw these children as a challenge and opportunity, but it still took some time before the congregation was ready to do Outreach in more comprehensive way and was able to access the funds to employ a Co-coordinator fulltime. Pastor Dalka brought his whole family along – who were to be the biggest asset to Kids’ Week. We began in April 1999 with 15 children and a smattering of young people as helpers. Within that week the numbers grew to 50 children and there was no turning back. Kids’ Week grew in numbers and often it was a case of managed chaos, but all of our organisational capacity and above all the commitment of the young helpers grew and deepened at the same time. The fact that ministering to children had the effect of bringing out the best in young people, turning them into responsible leaders and role models was an unexpected but immensely rewarding aspect of the Kids’ Week ministry. We had great times and there were countless wonderful weeks with great themes, some of which I still advertise on my treasured Kids’ Week T-shirts.
I have especially fond memories of the Christmas week: Jesus light in the darkness” where we built Hillbrow flats and Nativity scenes in them to remind us that Jesus is born where we are. Very memorable was also the week on prayer which was a deeply spiritual experience for all of us. I know Kids’ Week will continue to grow from strength and be a blessing to children and helpers alike. I wish you God’s blessing, much strength and joy. I hope the Kids’ Week welcoming song will continue to ring out for many years to come:
"Come, join us, our God loves you Come, join us, you’re special too!”
The Summer Kids’ Week 2008 was a very special event, because we were celebrating 10 years Kids’ Week and the30th edition of Kids’ Week as well. On average we had +/-550 children and helpers on the premises which is indicative of the phenomenal growth of Kids’ Week over the past ten years! Though this also means that we have to start thinking very imaginatively about hosting future events! The theme for Kids’ Week was JUST FOR TODAY and this theme had daily subthemes:
- ... I will listen
- ... I will not be afraid
- ... I will say I love you
- ... I will appreciate the good in life
