Hello! I’m Laura Graulty – the FaithTrek Coordinator at First Lutheran! A few weeks ago, I had a friend ask me if we had Sunday School anymore and I realized a few things:
I need to let everybody know that we have moved away from the words, Sunday School, as our faith is a 24/7, 365 thing, not just a Sunday thing, AND it’s not school as I don’t give tests for grades.
Although I send an email to FaithTrek parents every week, I need to let non-FaithTrek families in on what’s happening in our world on Sunday mornings!
The pandemic did a number on our attendance in FaithTrek. Virtual worship became more of the norm. When we moved back to in-person, we didn’t get the kiddos back in the previous numbers. (I’m sure y’all have seen this in our pews as well.) Therefore, I was unable to meet the kiddos that could attend FaithTrek and get to know them. So, I set out on a mission…Graulty style. I started contacting the young families in our church and have completed nine home visits. My goal is to eventually visit all of the families! Home visits help establish a connection and give the cherubs, their parents and me an opportunity to get to know one another. I have seen an uptick in attendance with “new” kids and we have new teachers as well. Win, Win! (Plus, I bring brownies on my visits! Another win!)
Each week I prepare the curriculum and ready supplies for the classrooms. I email lesson plans to the teachers that sign up to teach for the week. On FaithTrek mornings, I lead the kids in song and introduce the lessons. Come to the Upper Room at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings if you want to sing along with us! We follow the lectionary and every week I email parents with a family home page to reinforce what the students learned. I STRONGLY encourage non-FaithTrek members/families to sign up to teach a 45-minute class where everything is provided for you. If you’re nervous, there can be two adults in the classroom! Ask a friend to join you! There are still a few teacher openings left this semester!
We have also crushed crackers for the meatloaf served at Matt Talbot Kitchen, helped organize shoes for Kicks for Kids and will be doing a Valentine’s Day project for Tabitha Meals on Wheels recipients this Sunday. Join us! We would love to have you!
We don’t sit still much and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Questions? Want to know more about FaithTrek or maybe serve as a volunteer? Reach out to Laura at laura@flclincoln.org!
