A Special Way to Support SCAN: Faith Group Festivals
In October 2009, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington hosted a special Children's Sabbath event to support SCAN. Members and guests had the opportunity to learn more about child abuse and neglect, celebrate the importance of positive parenting and support SCAN's programs all at the same time. How did they do it?
- Sunday School Classes commemorated the event by creating artistic displays depicting what all children need and deserve to live happily and resiliently, free from the harmful effects of abuse and neglect.
- The congregation gathered to join in a family-centered worship service filled with songs, stories and the artwork of the children on display.
- Members donated a dollar to SCAN of Northern Virginia in exchange for a paper chain. All of the paper chains, called circles of hope, were connected and strung throughout the church at the service as a physical symbol of the donations raised to support child abuse and neglect prevention efforts.
- The event culminated in a Children’s Sabbath Family Festival with fun activities for the whole family.
