WE Intergenerational Events Popular at British Columbia Church

Members of Smithers (British Columbia) Christian Reformed Church have spent the last few months studying the Bible with very different groups of people than the ones they would ordinarily meet with. The church held a series of ten intergenerational events meant to bring together church members of all ages for learning and fellowship.

Smithers chose “The Epic Story”—tracing God’s story from creation to the new creation—from Faith Alive’s WE curriculum, which is designed to help a congregation learn and worship as a community of children, youth, adults, and seniors.

“We followed the curriculum as laid out in the event guide that comes with the kit from Faith Alive. It is very well laid out with step-by-step instructions, PowerPoint slides, drama ideas, as well as song choices for the event,” explained organizer Marlene Henderson.

Up to 80 members of Smithers CRC have been meeting twice a month after the Sunday morning worship service for a light lunch followed by the Bible study, which includes activities such as readers’ theaters, skits, and storytelling to keep the all the generations interested. “All have helped out with set-up, leading, reading, and being willing to sit with different people each event! It has been a great opportunity to get to know each other in an informal setting while learning together with all ages,” Henderson said. The event replaced the evening service on those Sundays.

Feedback from participants has been very positive. “It has given me an opportunity to get to know more people from my own congregation that I didn’t know well enough to strike up a conversation with,” said one church member.

“I really enjoy the great interaction of the different age groups,” said another. “It has been wonderful sharing meals with families with small children—a lot of fun.”