Zoom. Google Meet. Whatever the next thing will be. The children have already been exposed to distance learning, and it may prove to be increasingly important in their futures. We need to upgrade to a digital display, with webcam/Internet capability.

Good news: we don't need a sound system. Someone has already provided us with an amplifier and four nice speakers installed in the corners of the Children's Church room. Sound volume won't be an issue. Thank you worker(s) for the gift.

Kids these days are busy. They can’t help but miss Children's Church on occasion. Our use-at-home object lessons help fill the gap. To play with them, and live with them, and enjoy them privately, is a great way to firm up the child’s private faith.

An object lesson currently making the rounds is a plasma bulb. Introduced on Pentecost, the bulb reminds the children of the Holy Spirit and the flames of fire that signaled God’s presence. It’s perfect for the kids at bedtime, when the lights go out. Fear of the dark is the most common fear expressed by the children.

It’s a start, but the kid’s need more. They need good ideas and the funds to purchase supplies.

There’s nothing wrong with a mid-morning snack, and the Bible mentions quite a few healthy choices. An easy way to remove one particular distraction — hunger — is to provide a snack at the start of each Children's Church lesson.

And it isn't just Children's Church. Food is a great addition to our mid-week activities.

The kids also love to drink cold water, so we offer it each Sunday. And you know what you receive when you offer a cup of cold water because of Christ (Matthew 10:42).

Our classroom is growing dark.

The old fluorescent lights are coming to the end of their life-cycle. (Mercury. Yuck.)

An electrician can tell us whether it is the bulb's fault or the ballast. But either way, modernizing the fixtures (LEDs?) may be the smart move, rather than just repairing or replacing the old ones.

"Let your light shine." (Matthew 5:16)

For 15 years, Reva Decora was our faithful van driver. Fortunately, one of the two was able to retire from that job.

It wasn’t the van. Sunday after Sunday, we continue to use our van to collect children for church. So, the clock is ticking. Old vans don’t run forever. We are praying that donors might help us build a reserve fund, to replace the vintage vehicle when the time comes.

• Beads, and cord. The kids love to do bead work after they have finishsed their Bible exercise. We are running out of supplies...
• Window coverings. The old roller-blinds are shot. And as James 1:11 says, "the sun rises with scorching heat."
• New ideas and new supplies, for Children's Church and mid-week meetings — and rewards for completing special Bible assignments. Kids need encouragement.
• Lockable storage. The kids love to help themselves to supplies. That is a bad idea. We need to secure our storage.
• Children's Church helpers. The kids would not be getting into the supplies if there was a classroom helper watching and guiding them. As Children's Church grows, we will absolutely need more help. In the past, we have recruited helpers from Omaha and western Iowa. Hopefully we can return to that model -- possibly using donations to cover some of the travel expenses. (It would be well worth it.) Please visit our Partners page if you are interested in serving as a Children's Church helper.

If you are ready to give financially to this work, please look at the advice on our "gifts" page. Sending a check — with “Youth Program” or “Van Fund” (or “General Fund”) in the memo line — or donating online would lift our spirits.

As a separate gift to us, please send an email to [email protected], expressing your particular interests. We are praying for long-term partners in this effort. Let us know if you are on-board.