Happy Halloween!

We had a great time at our Halloween Party on Saturday! Kids got to decorate trick-or-treating bags and make vampire, witch, or monster bags which were then filled with candy. There was a Halloween Trail for them to follow with prizes at the end! We played Spider Ring Toss and Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin.

All of the families also had a chance to have a picture taken with a backdrop and the pictures all turned out great.

Thanks to all who came - we hope you had as much fun as we did!

You can see pictures from our party here.

Families as "Little Congregations"

In one of my classes at Wesley Theological Seminary, we are reading a book called "The Godbearing Life" by Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster. One chapter talks about families as little congregations where Christian formation occurs for children.

According to Creasy Dean and Foster, research shows that children are more likely to grow up and be active church participants if they are exposed to positive Christian experiences inside the home, as well as attending church and Sunday School.

According to Robert Wuthnow, quoted in the book, "It is religious training in the home that appears to [best predict adult church attendance]: family devotions as a child are the best predictor of adult attendance, followed by seeing one's parents read the Bible at home, and after that, by parents having read the Bible to the child." (p. 77)

How are you setting this example for your children?

Thanks for coming!

We had a great time on Saturday watching Disney's animated "Robin Hood" for our movie night! We ate popcorn, drank lemonade, and danced around to the songs. We hope to have another family movie night in the future. If you have any ideas or requests for movies, let us know.



We hope you'll join us on October 25th for our Halloween Party. We'll see you there!

Family Ministry Movie Night

Are you ready for a REEL fun time?

St. Matthew’s Family Ministry is hosting a Family Movie Night!

Join us Saturday, September 20 from 6pm-8pm for a G-rated Disney movie in Fellowship Hall.

There is no admission and we will provide popcorn and drinks at no charge.

We will be taking a freewill offering to support our Shelter Committee.

Bring blankets, low lawn chairs, or something else to sit on.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Spanish Classes for Children

I just received a flier for Spanish Classes for children hosted by the Bowie Community Center.

Spanish Opens Doors - Spanish Lessons for Children

Fall classes are available at the Bowie Community Center. The 8 week sessions cost $10 per class.

For more information, call 301-464-1737 or 301-395-3362 or email tutors@puertasabiertas.com.

Photos are up!

Check out our photos from the Back-to-School party! Click here to go to the webpage.

Back-to-School tips

I found this website and thought there were some good ideas for back to school:
Back to School Organization from Christian-Parent.com.

I especially like Tip #5 about getting outfits ready for the week: "Try this idea from Tandy, a mom of four. She bought a 5 compartment sweater hanger for the closet and helps the child choose the wardrobe for the whole week. Even socks and underwear get put in each days "cubby" Sunday afternoon."