Every Wednesday, our Director of Christian Education, Kristi Button, sends out an email newsletter for the families of children involved in our Children’s ministry. This past week she suggested creating an Easter Gratitude Tree during Lent. For children, an Easter gratitude Tree is a way for them to learn to recognize the blessings in their lives and reinforce the belief that it is from God that all blessings flow. For youth and adults, thinking about blessings can be a way to turn from sadness or hopelessness and consider the healthy alternative – gratitude.
Kristi offered the following helpful steps for creating an Easter Gratitude Tree as a Lenten activity.
- FIND A LARGE JAR OR VASE
- COLLECT SOME TWIGS
- CUT OUT AND EVEN DECORATE PAPER EGGS- LEAVE ROOM FOR WORDS
- PUNCH A HOLE AND ADD A STRING TO EACH EGG
- ADD EGGS EACH DAY (OR WHEN YOU CAN), WRITING THINGS FOR WHICH YOU ARE GRATEFUL
- YOU CAN WORK AS A FAMILY TO WRITE ON AN EGG OR EACH PERSON CAN ADD EGGS
- READ ALL OF THEM TOGETHER AT YOUR EASTER MEAL
ALTERNATIVE: FILL A JAR WITH COLORFUL SLIPS OF PAPER WITH GRATITUDE NOTES ON THEM- SHARE THEM AT YOUR EASTER MEAL
We have created a free printable to help you with this project. There is a page of instructions and then 4 pages of Easter eggs to help you create your tree. If you prefer a simpler, quicker option, the last page of the printable is a place to write 40 things you are thankful for – one blessing for each day of Lent.
If you would like to subscribe to the Children’s Ministry Newsletter for First United Presbyterian Church, please click HERE.
For more information about Lent at First United Presbyterian Church, Please click HERE.