By Cyndee Ownbey
Use some or all of these ideas for 2024!
While Valentine's Day isn't considered a Christian holiday, it is a day that provides us with an opportunity to point people to Jesus. Love is a central theme of the Gospel story.
As you prayerfully make plans for February ministry events and activities, be sure to take into account the ways in which God may be asking you to love each other and love those in your community. Our Lord points out in passages like John 13:35 and Romans 12:10. It is his desire that we love one another.
Not sure what to do? No worries, I've got a few ideas to get you started! I've included online and in-person ideas below. Feel free to make adjustments that will best serve the women in your church and community. I pray God will make clear the direction your ministry plans should take.
Online Ideas:
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Host a Valentine Breakfast via Zoom – Encourage attendees to wear red or pink. Open with an icebreaker question, asking everyone to share one household item they love that they wouldn't want to live without. Or tailor the question to the interests of your group. Invite someone on your team or a woman in your church to share a message highlighting how you've seen God's love and mercy amid the pandemic.
- Host a Valentine Craft Night – Recruit a gifted artist from your congregation to lead the workshop or find a simple craft on the Pinterest site for all to complete. Assemble supply bags in advance for women to pick up from the church or deliver them if the sign-up list is manageable.
In-Person Ideas:
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Host a Sweetheart Banquet for the couples at your church. If possible, recruit high-school students to assist with childcare (encourage parents to donate to the youths’ summer mission trip). Enjoy a special meal (many Italian restaurants offer pans of pasta for purchase), play an icebreaker game, and invite a Christian comedian to entertain the group or a speaker to share on love and marriage.
- Letters of Love – A couple of weeks before Valentine's Day, offer women the opportunity to gather to create handmade cards for a specific group (homebound members, military members, single moms, widows, etc.) that you'd like to shower with love. Your crafty church members may have extra supplies to donate and may be willing to teach some simple card-making techniques.
God may not be calling you or your team to plan a big event or activity, or he may desire a more personal approach.
As a Bible study or small group leader, we can show love to our group members by placing a piece of chocolate or a Valentine’s Day card at their seats or in the mail. Perhaps you would like to give a gift with Scripture. You can find a variety of Christian gifts that share the love of Christ for women here.
Perhaps God is prompting you to send Valentine’s Day cards to the widows in your church this year.
It's not the size of the event that matters but a heart that seeks to honor God and show his love to others.
Let's spread some love and encouragement this Valentine’s Day!
Editor’s note:
It's not the size of the event that matters but a heart that seeks to honor God and show his love to others. Let's spread some love and encouragement this Valentine’s Day!
