Need something else?
Need another resource? Looking for advice? Please contact Kathy Pittenger.
Resources from 2021
2021 Lent in a Box & Holy Week in a Box Resources - includes Ash Wednesday and 5 weeks of prayer practices for families to use at home.
Resources from 2020
Click here to download a flyer to give to families about ways to practice Lent or visit the blog post.
Children's Message for Easter
Download the pdf resource or view the webpage with links and additional information.
Lent
Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) that are a time for reflection, spiritual practices, and preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Below are resources and links for parents/caregivers and local churches.
Lent Playlists for families are available here.
The Lent, Holy Week, & Easter Resource Toolbox contains a lot of information. Click on the topic you are interested in to learn more:
Lent/Holy Week at Home Resources
Dear Adults who are investing in the faith of children:
The resources below are intended to help you grow in your own faith as well as support the children you care for. Incorporate as few or as many as you wish and you have the time and energy for. You may have additional traditions or faith expressions that you want to incorporate as well. The digital faith formation playlists are here to assist and guide you.
Lent Resources
Pancakes to Ashes - An Ash Wednesday Service on Shrove Tuesday (buildfaith.org)
Walking with Jesus Lenten Calendar (special thanks to Loubird Creations for changing the wording for our UM traditions)
Lent and Easter resources from Illustrated Ministry that can be used with all ages.
Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, & Resurrection is a wonderful book that can be included in an at-home box or for meaningful experiences at church. Michigan UM Churches can receive a discount from Chalice Press. Contact Kathy Pittenger for ordering information.
Christine V. Hides created a 10 page guide for Lent and Easter with devotionals, prayer stations, parent articles, and more. Access it from her blog here.
Children's Ministry Leaders shared lots of great ideas - view their ideas here or connect with us on our Facebook group!
Lent & Holy Week @ Home
Ten Ways to Observe Lent at Home (simple, free, family-friendly)
Prayer practices and activities for families to use at home during Lent.
#pictureLent daily visio divina visuals for all ages
A Sacred Home provides subscription boxes for families (that can also be ordered in bulk by churches). Their Lent box, Draw Near, provides resources for families to "wonder, play, create, and pray together." $
Holy Week in a Box
Holy Week in a Box Resource - includes a "read, say, do, wonder, and pray" component for each day of Holy Week. Download the Resource
Lent in a Box
Lent & Easter at Home Kits (Building Faith)
Holy Week Resources
What Does This Day Mean? series from Building Faith. The entire collection is here, pick the ones that apply for Lent and Holy Week.
Finding the Way of the Cross in Nature (an adaptation for the Stations of the Cross from Building Faith)
Easter Resources
Resurrection Eggs
Use these Resurrection Eggs from Traci Smith in a way to share symbols of the story without the violent details of Jesus' torture and death. They are also included in Chapter 6 of Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, & Resurrection.
Easter Egg Hunts and Community Outreach Events
How to Reinvent Your Easter Egg Hunt, for Good - ideas for a different kind of Easter Egg Hunt
Blessing of the Easter Eggs - ideas for a church/community Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Egg Blessing for the Home
Children's Books for Lent, Holy Week, & Easter
Additional Resources
Resources for Families:
Walking through Holy Week with Preschoolers - information and activities
Ash Wednesday bonfire at home
Learn about how to Create a Prayer Space at home
Make pretzels and learn about their meaning during Lent.
Resources for Ministry Leaders:
Lent in a Bag - Use the items in the bag as a tangible way to celebrate Lent
Additional great ideas from the Rio Texas Conference
Resources from from GenOn ($)
Society of St. Andrew: The Cup of Salvation Lenten Devotional Booklet