G I F T
Growing In Fellowship Together (GIFT), a program for women of all ages and preschool children. GIFT's ministry targets two groups of women: 1) those from our own church family, for whom we strive to provide a time of encouragement and enrichment; and 2) women from the community (some may attend a church; some may not). For this diverse group, the goal is to encourage them in their daily lives and plant some seeds of God's love and joy. Gatherings should include quality Christian child care for all mothers attending.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | GIFT is usually held the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from September through May. The morning begins with coffee, tea, juice and pastries at 9:00 a.m. The program follows at 9:15 and ends at approximately 10:45 a.m. |
| Each session provides opportunities for fellowship, inspiration and learning together. Morning topics include work-a-long craft projects, cooking demonstrations, and speakers - giving us insight on a wide-range of topics: Bible Study, family relationships, housekeeping, gardening, etc. |
| Childcare classes are provided for preschool children. Our staff strives to provide story time, crafts, snacks and supervised play time, geared to the child's age. |
| All programs and childcare are offered free of charge. If one participates in a work-a-long craft, a small fee is charged to cover the cost of supplies. A donation box is available to anyone wishing to financially support the program. |
| There is a time of singing and devotions each morning - at which time ladies have the opportunity to share prayer requests. |
| A brochure is printed and distributed at the beginning of each GIFT year describing the program and the coming year's schedule. A newsletter is also printed three times during the year. |
| A church can expand this program to suit its needs. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO.....provide committed leadership for all areas of the program. Our program is broken down into the following committees: Coordinators - 3 year term; Secretary/Treasurer - 4 year term; Publicity - 2 year term; Hospitality - 2 year term; Hostesses - 3 year term; Childcare - 2 year term; and Children's Crafts - 2 year term. |
| DO.....have a staff prayer time before each session! |
| DO.....have a policy for cancellation when winter and its ice and snow arrive. |
| DO.....plan ahead. GIFT's program for the following September is planned early. The committee meets in April - forming ideas; then people are asked and the schedule is finalized in June. |
| DO.....realize that finding help is always a problem. Childcare teachers and helpers are paid, but finding ladies "at home" and willing is challenging. |
| DO.....expect to receive a blessing by being involved! There is true joy in serving the ladies who come and express their thanks again and again that a program such as this is available to fill so many varied needs - time out of the house, time for learning, time out from the children, time to fellowship, time to talk to other adults, time to laugh, time to share. |
RESOURCES NEEDED
| The Mennonite churches in our area, who started this type of program, publish a directory of speakers and demonstrators, which gives us ideas and a pool of persons to contact for programs. |
COST
| Your budget will be determined by the size of your program. There are costs to pay the speaker or leader of each session and to pay childcare teachers and helpers. We have one fund-raiser each year - a ham and cheese and sub sale. Some cost is also involved in the publicity. |
Idea submitted by Carol Kline of Stevens, Pennsylvania
For a similar idea, see MOPS International.
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