Tuned into Families: New Pastor Shares Insights

Wouldn’t it be nice if new babies came with an owner’s manual…or if you could press “troubleshooting” to figure out how to keep everyone in the family happy at the same time? Maybe just as importantly, how do you get into a routine that’s pre-built for more than the sunny side of life – the real challenges, the little disappointments, the big ones?

According to Kelli Weiss, a natural optimist and new pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Muskego, the answers come from the questions you ask.

Like one she recently posted on her Facebook page: “What would the little you (younger you) be surprised about in your life today?”

Her own life-changing experience started with a question, too, long before Weiss was born. A friend invited her mom – in high school at the time – to church. Today, Weiss has nine years of family ministry experience under her belt, can be mistaken for a college student and can “launch and land the airplane” smoothly – that is, finish a meaningful sermon without lingering over it or inspiring yawns.

Weiss suggests three ways to strengthen the “inside” you, or put God into your lifestyle routine: challenge each other, grow together, and become part of a faith community that fits you. “Start by asking each other questions,” she says.

One of the questions she and church members recently asked visitors at Jammin’ on Janesville, a street festival in Muskego, was “What makes you happy?” A young girl wrote “when my mom and dad snuggle with me.” “I like that too,” her mom said, and the child’s face lit up.

Asking questions like these help us understand one another – and ourselves –better. Weiss has found, in working with youth, that our culture puts lots of pressure on kids to perform academically and take on extra curricular activities. “A lot of kids are really tired and don’t know how to rest,” she says. The same culture puts pressure on adults, with stress coming from jobs, home and family responsibilities.

“Find ways to disengage from phones, social media, television” and “hear one another’s true feelings. It’s tough at first,” Weiss says. It’s much easier for young people to engage, learn, and discover more about themselves and the world around them without their phones. That’s why schools and summer camp counselors “free” kids from having their phones all day.

“The kids don’t like it at first,” Weiss said. “But with social media you have to be “on” all the time and available or you won’t be connected socially. It’s a constant distraction; it can numb your feelings; and you can’t always talk about the things you’re really thinking or worrying about.”

“Kids struggle with life things,” she says. “Lots of them struggle with grief, but sometimes it’s hard to talk about their feelings.”

“Children, youth and families are why I’m in ministry,” Weiss says. “It will always be a part of my life.” To help busy families connect, Weiss says Bethel will offer two once-a-month programs that integrate faith into busy lives.

Faith, Family & Fun is an intergenerational program that brings families and kids together once a month on Saturdays. Participants share lunch, learn bible stories, make crafts (from birdhouses to homemade ice cream), share music and play games. Older kids make it fun by joining in to help everyone – even adults. Weiss believes kids enjoy the chance just to be with a parent and/or grandparent and friends in a safe place where they can have fun and talk about life issues naturally. The program is held on the second Saturday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., starting on September 9, 2017.

A second program for busy families is a once-a-month Sunday school offered by the church for the first time. Many families can’t make Sunday school every week so the church is welcoming local families to try a session and see how they like it. First session for kids is October 1, 2017 at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Let Bethel know you’re coming at 262-679-1616, and leave your name, number, program you’re interested in, and the name & number of participants. Bethel Lutheran Church ELCA is located at S77 W18426 Janesville Road in Muskego - four blocks east of Racine Ave. (Hwy Y) on Janesville Road. All are welcome.