It's good for children to hear about what God means to middle-aged and older adults. At Mount Olive intergenerational activities include worshiping, serving, learning and playing together. Young and old benefit from one another's experiences. Intergenerational learning activities also attract adults who would not attend if the activity did not involve thei r children, Joyce says. Parents have the opportunity to tell their children about their first communion and to make communion bread with them.
Children can also learn from altar guild members how they set up communion.
Intergenerational activities must be experiential. Generations must do together, not just sit together, Joyce says. Activities must be creative, flexible, show variety and include all age levels from preschool through the 80s. Activities may involve being ushers and greeters, playing games, writing prayers for worship, singing in choirs and participating in the arts. Other intergenerational events at Mount Olive have included planning, preparing and serving monthly dinners at a homeless shelter.