*MILESTONES MINISTRY

”Milestones Ministry is a ministry embraced by a growing number of congregations.  Milestones bring God's presence into the home and the rituals of daily life into the church."

Read a wonderful overview and how to article written by TYFI staff member about Milestones Ministry at: Passing on Faith Milestone to Milestone by Linda Staat

Why Milestones Ministry?

Because we promised.  When a child is baptized at GSLC, the congregation promises to support the parents and family in their role to raise their child in the faith. Milestone Ministry is a visual and tangible way our congregational members can make good on the promise.

What is Milestones Ministry?

A faith milestone is a marker along life's journey that says, "This is something important and God is here, tool!" It's time to pause, to share the joys and sorrows, to give and receive support, and honor the moments as part of the journey of faith.  It is a practice that supports PASSING ON FAITH by bringing in the presence of God in the home and rituals of daily life into the congregation.  It stresses that church is more than a building or the congregation but is partnering home and congregation as the meaning of church.  Home and family are defined to include all members of a congregation and all people, not the assumption that family is a “two parent with children” characterization.

Milestones can be divided into two categories: Congregation (baptism, first communion, etc.) and Home that includes Human Development and Daily Living (birthdays, drivers license, new job) and Civic (national holidays, religious celebrations).  See TYFI graphic for milestones at: http://www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org/documents/MilestonesWeb.pdf

How is Faith Passed through Milestones Ministry?  Through the Four Keys of Formative Daily Faith Practices

See practical tips suggestions resource under Learning About Milestones Ministry.

1. Caring conversations
2. Devotions
3. Ritual and Tradition
4. Service

Inside a Milestone

Each milestone has four elements to it and tools for practicing it such as: education materials about the milestone, worship service recognition, home blessing for connecting congregation milestones to home and materials for using the four key in the home.  There is no limit on milestones and families can create their own by using the four elements of:

1. Naming it
2. Equipping it
3. Blessing it
4. Gifting it

Milestones at GSLC

GSLC has offered congregational milestones for many years.  What is new with Milestones Ministry is the official naming and recognition of this ministry, redesign of existing milestones if needed, and adding new milestones over time.  See the GSLC Milestones Ministry brochure by clicking here or find it in the information racks outside the office.

Learning about Milestones Ministry

·         Go to The Youth and Family Institute website (www.tyfi.org) – CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS WEBSITE!!!

o        Read about Milestones Ministry and other passing on faith ministries

o       Obtain resources from store,  catalogue (catalogue is also an education tool about milestones and faith development by age – invaluable!), and a rich selection of free downloads

o       Attend a Milestones Ministry Conference

·        First Introduction to GSLC Milestone Ministry– the Baptismal Milestone as been targeted not only as a congregational milestone but also as a key opportunity to introduce Milestones Ministries to families by the pastor.  The families are given materials taken from the Milestones Ministry overview education session below.

·        Periodic GSLC MM Education Session – held periodically to any interested people.  Watch GSLC communications for information or contact the office.  View materials from the education session for learning on your own or in preparation to a milestones ministry session by clicking on GSLC MM Resources The following are contained in the file:

o       TYFI Introduction to Milestones Ministry

o       TYFI Faith Formation Catalog

o       Passing on Faith – FaithChest Milestone that includes information from TYFI milestones manual about the milestone as well as plans and ideas for making your own faithchest

o       Anniversary of Baptism Milestone comes from TYFI milestones manual

o       GSLC Faith Gift Giving Suggestions for Milestones

o       GSLC Milestones Ministry Display that includes samples of GSLC milestones ministry as well as ideas for home milestones with some items mentioned below (75 Blessings book, wooden versions of prayer die, conversation starters) that can be purchased in the office

o       GSLC Milestones Ministry Presentation – gives overview highlights to Milestones Ministry and describes some of the materials in this list.

o       Passing on Faith articles

o       Practical Tip Suggestions for the Four Keys of Formative Daily Faith Practices mentioned under How Faith is Passed through Milestones

o       Sample home blessing titled “Blessing for Meals” from “For Everything A Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life” – if you purchase anything for your faith library or as a faith gift, this is THE item to choose because these blessings give families the personal and scripture words they seek to make a milestone meaningful and faith-based.  See the tips for using blessings at the bottom of the blessing example for more info.  Purchase this book from TYFI store or from the office.

o       Prayer Die – paper samples to make your own prayer die.  Wooden versions are for sale in the office or see the GSLC Faith Gift Giving Suggestions for Milestones to order on your own.

o       Conversation Starters – these are every where and you can find information to purchase on your own in the GSLC Faith Giving Suggestions for Milestones to order on your own or purchase the version available through the office.

·        Talk to GSLC Milestones Ministry contacts –Cynthia McLaren, Education Director, Education Committee, Rita Howe, Pastor Dave Berg

·        Work with GSLC Milestones Ministry – People are needed to coordinate and create existing and new milestones for congregation and home.  Any age with any level skill for carpentry, sewing, crafting, organizing, assembly, etc. is greatly needed - see Cynthia McLaren or come to an Education Committee meeting on first Monday evenings.

 *Content on this web page is taken from The Youth and Family Institute website at: http://tyfi.org  TYFI organization developed and implemented the ministries of Milestones Ministry and FaithChests and much more.  Their site contains much more invaluable information not given here and is an incredible resource to equip families and congregations to pass on faith to youth and families.