Loving Your Neighbor in Fall of 2020

It's October already.  Wow, where does the time go?  Fall is usually characterized by going to students' Fall sporting events, and doing outreach events like "Rake and Runs."  With almost everything going virtual right now, what can a youth ministry do to reach out?

I have heard several ministries talking about growing small or reaching their neighbors.  Those are great sentiments and things we should have been doing all along.  Nothing will ever replace in person ministry.  Everything else is only second best.  So, my hat goes off to everyone who has been creative to make sure that can happen, at least in small ways right now during the coronavirus pandemic.  I will still push for in person outreach like a Rake and Run.  After all, we are outside.  It shows elderly people in our church that we care about them.  Their neighbors see that we care for them as well.  We could even rake some leaves for their neighbors with no strings attached to show them that we love them as well.

With most schools learning virtually right now, my heart goes out to teachers.  One thing we have considered doing this Fall is reach out to teachers to encourage them.  PTSOs already do some form of encouragement depending on the school, but can a youth ministry partner with a school to build up discouraged teachers and administrators?  You bet!  Your ministry can provide treats, notes of encouragement, and a host of other uplifting things that can put a smile on a teacher's face today.  Maybe, just maybe, we can begin to break down walls between church and public school and partner together to help kids and students succeed in life.

Whatever your ministry has chosen to do this Fall, let's be about bringing the hope of Jesus to others around us in a safe and creative way.  What ideas do you have to share for Fall ministry?  I would love to hear them!