GIFT Ministry at Zion: Growing In Faith Together

We believe…
Faith is caught more than taught
It takes Christian parents and other adults to raise Christian youth
Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal trusted relationships, often in our own homes

At Zion we seek to support families of all shapes and sizes. The GIFT Ministry at Zion is designed to give families ongoing opportunities to grow in faith together.  GIFT Ministry begins with baptism and continues through 12th grade and beyond, recognizing significant faith milestones along the way.  Everything we do comes from our understanding of God’s love and grace as a gift—completely unearned.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

GIFT Ministry emphasizes relationships.  Every child has a faith mentor from the congregation.  GIFT Gatherings are opportunities for children, their parents, and faith mentors to learn together about the basics of our Christian faith.  GIFT Angels are assigned to 6th graders; these anonymous adults make a point of remembering birthdays, holidays, etc. and encouraging these young people during the middle school years.  Every 7th & 8th grader is partnered with an adoptive grandparent from the congregation and works with an adult lay communion assistant to take communion to their adoptive grandparent once a month. 

GIFT Ministry emphasizes service.  GIFT Sundays celebrate significant faith milestones in worship, engage students in worship leadership, and then send them out to do service in the community.  Opportunities include picking up litter with the Adopt-a-Highway program, preparing and delivering meals to those who are recovering at home after being hospitalized, visiting local nursing homes, preparing care packages for college students…the possibilities are endless!  Summers during their middle school years, students are invited to participate in a short-term service trip.  High School summer trips rotate on a 3-year-cycle with a service trip one summer, an adventure trip the next summer, and the National Youth Gathering the following summer. 

GIFT Ministry emphasizes learning in a variety of ways.  In the traditional classroom setting on Sunday mornings, 6th, 7th & 8th graders study the Bible and memorize portions of Luther’s Small Catechism.  In a more informal small group setting on Wednesday nights, students from 7th-12th grade are invited to explore Christian practices for teens.  “Tween Time”, also on Wednesday nights, gives 6th graders an opportunity to learn through guided conversation with one of Zion’s pastors.  Field trips, retreats, and a week of confirmation camp at Camp EWALU offer opportunities for off-site learning.  GIFT Ministry encourages children and adults of all ages to engage in lifelong learning.

GIFT Ministry is grace-centered.  In baptism, God claims us and makes us members of God’s family.  It is God’s doing—not our own.  All that we are and all that we have, including faith itself, is a gift from God.  With GIFT Ministry, we celebrate this gift of faith that God has so freely given.  Our only expectation is that “the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).  GIFT Ministry is a gift—not a burden—intended to encourage and uplift all families as they seek together to grow in faith and respond to God’s amazing grace.