Faith Art Galleries
New Gallery Exhibit
Our Children's Offerings: Prayers, Messages, and Art Placed in the Offering Baskets by Children in Worship
You’ve heard the expression “Children say the darnedest things.” Well, I’m here to report that in church they draw and write them, too! Most Sundays, children of all ages at Faith draw pictures or write notes and prayers on the small pieces of scratch paper provided in the pew racks and then place them in the offering baskets. These wonderful gifts of creativity, positive energy, and pure joy never cease to delight and surprise the ushers, counters, and pastors. And now, through the month of October, an exhibit of these tiny works of art that only children can create will be on display in the Faith Art Gallery. Plus (listen up, parents!), there’s a gallery wall just waiting for new art to be displayed!
I asked Pr. Shelly and Pr. Julie some questions about the offering basket art, and their answers were both surprising and heartwarming.
When/how did you come up with this great idea?
We didn't come up with it! Children just started putting notes and drawings in the offering plates that they made on the scratch paper in the pews. We have never announced or specifically invited kids to do the offering plate notes and art. That's all their own initiative!
How are kids being encouraged to do this?
I shared some of the notes and drawings in a sermon last year and after that more kids knew about it and we started getting more “offerings.” At various times we invite children and anyone in worship to color a bulletin cover or draw something on a bulletin and then we hang them on the children's art boards by the bathrooms. So we have definitely encouraged "a response to God through art" practice in worship at different times.
Do you look forward to seeing what winds up in the offering each week?
Yes!!! And so do the counters who count the weekly offering. It's like finding little treasures each Monday morning.
Are you surprised at how this has taken off?
Yes and no. Surprised because it is always spontaneous. Not surprised because it does feel natural. Children are so creative. There are paper and pencils right at a child's eye level in the pews. And children see adults putting something into the offering basket and want to put in their own offering.
Any words of encouragement for other budding artists who haven't contributed yet?
Just the reminder that we all have something beautiful to offer to God! I love that these notes, prayers and drawings are a Spirit-led, spontaneous form of that.
So be sure to visit the gallery in October and enjoy the offering basket art of Faith’s youngest members!
Chris Bettin
Faith Galleries Coordinator
[email protected]
Our Children's Offerings: Prayers, Messages, and Art Placed in the Offering Baskets by Children in Worship
You’ve heard the expression “Children say the darnedest things.” Well, I’m here to report that in church they draw and write them, too! Most Sundays, children of all ages at Faith draw pictures or write notes and prayers on the small pieces of scratch paper provided in the pew racks and then place them in the offering baskets. These wonderful gifts of creativity, positive energy, and pure joy never cease to delight and surprise the ushers, counters, and pastors. And now, through the month of October, an exhibit of these tiny works of art that only children can create will be on display in the Faith Art Gallery. Plus (listen up, parents!), there’s a gallery wall just waiting for new art to be displayed!
I asked Pr. Shelly and Pr. Julie some questions about the offering basket art, and their answers were both surprising and heartwarming.
When/how did you come up with this great idea?
We didn't come up with it! Children just started putting notes and drawings in the offering plates that they made on the scratch paper in the pews. We have never announced or specifically invited kids to do the offering plate notes and art. That's all their own initiative!
How are kids being encouraged to do this?
I shared some of the notes and drawings in a sermon last year and after that more kids knew about it and we started getting more “offerings.” At various times we invite children and anyone in worship to color a bulletin cover or draw something on a bulletin and then we hang them on the children's art boards by the bathrooms. So we have definitely encouraged "a response to God through art" practice in worship at different times.
Do you look forward to seeing what winds up in the offering each week?
Yes!!! And so do the counters who count the weekly offering. It's like finding little treasures each Monday morning.
Are you surprised at how this has taken off?
Yes and no. Surprised because it is always spontaneous. Not surprised because it does feel natural. Children are so creative. There are paper and pencils right at a child's eye level in the pews. And children see adults putting something into the offering basket and want to put in their own offering.
Any words of encouragement for other budding artists who haven't contributed yet?
Just the reminder that we all have something beautiful to offer to God! I love that these notes, prayers and drawings are a Spirit-led, spontaneous form of that.
So be sure to visit the gallery in October and enjoy the offering basket art of Faith’s youngest members!
Chris Bettin
Faith Galleries Coordinator
[email protected]