Stories from around the synod

WHAT IS ALL THAT CLATTER? - Noisy Offering – Intergenerational Ministry Campaign Expands Trinity Lutheran Church’s Efforts to Support Missional Projects in Kirkwood, MO

What church isn't always seeking out ways to do intergenerational ministry? Recently at Trinity - Kirkwood we have been doing just that by causing quite a clatter! What's all the noise about, you ask? Well it has been our "Noisy Offerings!" During the months of May-June, and just recently in September-October our tiniest youngsters have been helping to make a GIGANTIC difference in our community and the world just by collecting loose change! These two separate "Noisy Offering Campaigns" have been tremendously successful in helping our children realize the significance of giving to others. It has been simple and highly successful thanks to the help of our generous congregation and the Holy Spirit.

During these months, each Sunday following the Children's Sermon, students took around pots, pans, metal bowls, bread pans, popcorn tins and anything else that would cause a clatter, around to collect the congregation's loose change. It was fun and both young and old looked forward to it every week! The first campaign was used to support our Vacation Bible School mission project. It raised over $1000 to benefit two local organizations, Faith Beyond Walls (an interfaith partnership located in downtown St. Louis that helps poverty stricken areas beautify parks and recreational areas for the youth) and Get The Word Out Inc. (A non-profit organization run by Karen Smith in Webster Groves that raises funds to take the word of the Gospel wherever He calls them. They are most known for their annual trips to Kenya where they take thousands of Swahili Bibles and conduct Peace Rallies). For the first time in a long time, our congregation was working together through something simple to make a difference for others in our community and around the globe.

Our most reason Noisy Offering Campaign conducted this fall helped raise $500 to benefit the ELCA Metro St. Louis Coalition’s youth 30 Hour Famine for World Vision's fight against World Hunger. Using pots, pans, and other cooking utensils as collection buckets really helped tie in our hunger theme. This particular campaign really made for an excellent intergenerational and inter-congregational effort as the children were collecting money from our adults and seniors to benefit a coalition high school service project. This is such a great and simple way to get your congregation thinking both inter-generationally and inter-congregationally across the ELCA. The members of Trinity - Kirkwood have been quite moved by this particular service method and are constantly asking when the next one will be!

How fantastic that so many are eager to give, simply by tying together our youth and families! It has even made for better attendance at Sunday Worship. I feel this is because everyone comes not only to worship God, but also because they are needed and wanted to support our missional projects. Everyone is connected in a way that benefits those outside of our congregational walls. This makes individuals feel purposeful and allows them an outlet to help make a difference for someone else. It's amazing what just a little loose change can do! We wanted to share our story and spread the word so you could go and do likewise!

Annie White
Trinity Lutheran Church
Kirkwood, MO
11/16/06