KEEPING THE PROMISE

    ABOUT KEEPING THE PROMISE 

    As parents and as a congregation, we make promises to our children at baptism.  Keeping the Promise (KTP) is a partnership between our congregation and families and  provides parents with tools to raise their children in the Christian faith and to keep our baptism promises that we made to them. 

     

    WHAT TO EXPECT...

    Each year, families will receive a personal invitation to their annual Keeping the Promise milestone a few weeks prior to the event.  If you did not receive an invitation, you are still WELCOME to join us! Each event features...

    • Feeling welcomed by our friendly staff.
    • Spending quality time with your child invited to the event.
    • Enjoying fun, age-appropriate activities.
    • Stengthening your relationship with your child.
    • Meeting other parents with children of the same age.
    • The opportunity to ask and answer some great questions!
    • Receiving a Keeping the Promise milestone token
    • Participating in a worship blessing ceremony 

    Some events are more festive in nature, some dig a little deeper, but each event opens and strengthens the relationship you have with your child. Most events are approximately one hour.  

     

    A SPECIAL CELEBRATION

    We recommend taking advantage of this time to spend some quality one-on-one with the individual child invited to this Keeping the Promise event. It is important to celebrate each milestone individually! However, we also know that it can be a challenge to find quality childcare. Word of Peace provides childcare for young children, please contact us (at least 48 hours in advance) to request Nursery staff.  

    If you have older children, we encourage families to find care for them at home. This way - you will be able concentrate on enjoying this special time with the child invited to the event. Let other children know that they too will have the opportunity to enjoy this special time with you when their KTP event arrives.

     

    HOW TO REGISTER

    Many families are automatically registered for Keeping the Promise programming upon their child’s baptism. If you are new to our congregation, or would like more information, please contact Kristin Skare, Director of Education at 763.496.2404. Families may join Keeping the Promise at any point in their child’s life. It is never too early or too late to begin building positive faith relationships with your child!

     

    KEEPING THE PROMISE ANNUAL EVENTS

    BIRTH

    BAPTISM At Word of Peace, Baptism classes are held the first Monday of the month at 7:30 pm. Those who wish to have their child baptized are strongly encouraged to attend. During baptism class parents walk through the baptism service, discuss the promises made at baptism, ask questions about baptism, and are  introduced to resources available to support them.

     

     

    1-2 YEARS

    SPLASH! CELEBRATION Join us in summer for a refreshing celebration of your child’s baptism! We’ll enjoy family-friendly faith activities in the   water, sing songs, chat about the Splash! newsletters and more.

     

     

    3 YEARS

     

    SHARING STORIES OF THE BIBLE  Your child will be presented with their very own Spark! Story Bible as they prepare to begin church school. Parents and their child will explore their Bible and learn activities that help bring Bible stories to life. Children will be presented their  Bible during worship and will receive a special blessing celebrating this milestone.

     

     

    4 YEARS  

     

    THE WONDERS OF WORSHIP 4-year-olds are full of questions and “why?” seems to be a favorite. Learn about the traditions of worship as we explore our worship space during this hands-on, activity-based experience.

     

     

    KINDERGARDEN

     

    PRAYER PARTY When we think of prayer, often times we think of folded hands and closed eyes. You and your child are invited to a Prayer Party! Where we discover many different fun, exciting, and active ways to pray—even for five-year-olds!

     

     

    GRADE 1

     

    SHARE, SAVE, SPEND Our children are bombarded with cultural messages to spend and want MORE. This event explores a different message about money and managing resources. It introduces the concept of Share, Save, Spend and provides parents with practical financial tips for their children.

     

     

    GRADE 2

     

    EXPLORING THE CATECHISM Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism to help parents teach their children about our faith’s traditions. Bring your detective skills as we  investigate The Lord’s Prayer, Creed, & Ten Commandments. Children will receive their Small Catechism during the worship blessing.

     

     

    GRADE 3

     

    IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK! It only takes a spark to get a fire going, so let’s fan the flames of excitement as children are presented with a new, upper-elementary NRSV Bible. Children and parents will be introduced to their Bible, given fun ideas on reading the scriptures, and helpful hints on using the Bible and discovering things in it. You may be surprised by what sparks your own curiosity.

     

     

    GRADE 4

     

    GOD MADE ME Our children grow so fast. Let’s spend some time together around the fact that God created them just as they are. Their bodies may be changing but one thing remains the same—they are a beloved child of God.

     

     

    GRADE 5

     

    CELEBRATE COMMUNION! Celebrate the gift of God’s grace and love given to us in the Lord’s Supper. During this event we will engage in the Biblical story that is ours around Holy Communion. Come for a time of hands-on activities and learn about the love and forgiveness received when we gather at the table. This event requires registration in advance.  It’s truly worth celebrating!

     

     

     

    GRADE 6

     

    EXPLORE YOUR BIBLE Your children are growing up and so are their Bibles! As parents, how do we support and encourage our kids to read and use their Bibles? Join us for a time of exploring the Bible your child will be using for Confirmation.

     

     

    GRADE 7

     

    PARENTS, TEENS & MONEY         Do your kids think money grows on trees? Are you in danger of becoming your child’s ATM? Are you beginning to worry you have a PIN number stamped on your forehead? This workshop will help facilitate discussion between you and your teen on being a good steward of their resources and positive money management.

     

     

    GRADE 8

     

    FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY MADE What happened to that little toddler or the simple smile of your elementary student? You are now the parent of a teenager! This event is a place to discuss faith and how it impacts the decisions your teen will be making in all areas of life. Come join us for a time of facilitated discussions and experiences.

     

    GRADE 9

     

    AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM (CONFIRMATION) This event is designed for all ninth graders who will be confirmed in January. It’s a week-long celebration of their faith!

     

     

     

    GRADE 10

     

    YOU ARE GIFTED You and your child may already or will soon begin looking at post high school plans. Join us for a time of active discussion helping teens identify their God given talents, preferences, and gifts. We will spend time together identifying these gifts and discussing how these gifts fit into your teen’s post high school plans, choices in colleges, and vocational plans.

     

     

    GRADE 11

     

    HOPE DINNER My how time flies! It wasn’t that long ago that you held an infant in your arms. Now they are teenagers and their future plans are becoming a little more pressing. Enjoy a “date” with your child. Enjoy time together sharing hopes, dreams and blessings for their future.

     

     

    GRADE 12

     

    SENIOR BLESSING These is no better time to bless our kids and tell them they are a beloved child of God than before they leave high school and move on to their next step. Join us for a special blessing at two events: The Word of Peace Senior Blessing and community-wide Baccalaureate.

     

     

     

     

            

    /files/Documents/Education/Keeping the Promise Brochure Cover.jpg

    Keeping the Promise reminds parents of the promises made to their children - and to God - during baptism.

    Word of Peace is committed to providing parents with family-friendly faith acitivities that encourage positive growth in the Christian life and faith.

    Download a brochure today!

     

    OUR BAPTISMAL PROMISE 

    “As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities:

    to live with them among God’s faithful people, bring them to the Word of God and the Holy Supper, teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer,

    so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.

    Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life? ”