Holy Cross in Spring Hill has found that many young families are not congregating in church buildings on Sunday mornings. It has launched “Elemental Ministry,” an initiative in which the gospel is being proclaimed in locations families have expressed a desire to visit. Through weekly musical, dramatic, and visual arts activities for children along with a monthly outdoor Elemental Campfire Chapel Service, Holy Cross has crafted a child-focused ministry that captivates both the young and the old. Chapel campfires are cultivated around the elements of fire, water, wind, and earth; following the chapel service, a dinner is shared around campfires, water activities, and wind and earth encounters. Holy Cross is piloting this opportunity in partnership with the Nourishing Vocation Project at St. Olaf College, MN. This collaboration has engaged numerous creative minds in the active development of this initiative.

Holy Cross has also discovered that retirees who attend traditional Sunday services are eager to experience and proclaim the life-affirming message of the Gospel. They have felt a strong urge to share the Gospel through spiritually enriching experiences, such as a Paint and Sip Lenten Event, Beer and Hymns, decorating a tree in the Community Gardens and more. These activities have nourished them, giving them the energy to continue their passion for nurturing others.

WHY THIS MINISTRY MATTERS:
1. An Elemental Families ministry story, (name changed for privacy's sake):
Tom, a veteran and Catholic, ceased attending church due to considerable pain he had experienced. When his child invited him, he came to Elemental Campfire Worship because his child would be participating in telling the story of Jesus' birth. The angel his child created would join the other children's created angels and fly through the air. The children would ring bells and sing to music in the service. His child, along with the others would lead this worship experience.
After returning from the frontlines of the Afghanistan War, Tom went to confession with a broken and contrite heart, hoping to return to the Lord’s table for Holy Communion. Despite his sincere and heart-wrenching confession; Tom was told that there was no place for him at the Lord’s table.
But on this night, as the meal was offered, he heard that indeed there was a place for him. With tears rolling down his face, hand in hand with his son, he approached the communion table. The Body of Christ was placed in his hand and was proclaimed, "The body of Christ, given for you!"
Tom shared that while he knew in his soul that there was still a place for him with Christ, he hadn’t realized how much he needed to be remembered together with Christ and with other believers.
Elemental where children experience the love of Christ and then in their unique way bringing hope and healing to their families!

2. An Elemental Retiree's Ministry story, (names changed for privacy's sake)
Bill and Judy spilled the beans on the struggles of inviting pals to church – “it's like trying to juggle flaming torches!” But guess what? They've cracked the code by inviting friends to simply "be the church” with them. Picture this: being the church at Beer and Hymns, being the church at spiritual art events, and spreading the Gospel with young families. Bill and Judy found hope in rediscovering their calling, living in the spirit of Christ, and are aiming not just to survive but to thrive once more.

Tom, Bill, and Judy represent just a few grains of sand on a vast beach of stories that people have shared about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit through "Elemental Ministry."

RESULTS:
In our Elemental Ministry's effort to spread the Gospel through non-traditional means, we've expanded from engaging with fewer than 10 children per week to more than 30. Likewise, our outreach has grown from fewer than five families with children in the home last year to more than 100 such families this year.
In our Elemental ministry’s effort to foster spiritually-focused community, we venture outside our walls to grow together and engage with the community. To invite others and meet folks where they are and to share in the vastness of God's presence.
As fall approaches, we proceed with gratitude for the past nine months and with faith that we are guided towards further transformation in the coming future. We can’t thank V2A enough for their generous support of this ministry! The support from V2A is enhancing our effectiveness in our innovative methods of sharing Christ and making disciples. THANKS BE TO GOD!

With the help of a V2A grant, Atonement in Sebring has launched a new "Wholeness and Healing" ministry. Grant funds have been used for advertising, food, and program expenses. The congregation hosted one weekend event thus far which was very well received. One of the highlights was experiencing "soaking prayer time" during which the Holy Spirit brought participants a strong sense of God's presence and call to personal ministry. Some reported feelings of overwhelming peace and strength; of forgiveness for hurtful circumstances; and of reduced anxiety.
  
A second weekend is planned for this winter. To prepare congregants for their active involvement in inviting non-church members, Atonement is focusing intently on prayer. Congregation members will engage in prayer walks and learn more about praying for others. "Blessing prayers" will be given to each person in the congregation, to in turn be offered to people in the larger community as they are invited to the next healing weekend.    
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​Wholeness and Healing Weekends are a new way for Atonement to engage the community. The congregation seeks to become known for this ministry focus.