A rock-painting project is helping Hayden UCC build a creative community.
Hayden UCC in Hayden, CO has been getting creative by hosting rock-painting events that are open to the community. At the last event, a few Saturdays ago, members and non-members laughed, painted, made new friends, and shared God’s love through inspirational messages and pictures on their rocks.
“The rock-painting is something that is being done across the country,” Pastor Jane Kramer explains—but the church has put their own spin on it. “Our Christian-Ed team decided to make it sort of a ministry by calling it ‘Hayden UCC Rocks.’ I had three of our little girls help me hide three rocks at the Routt County Fair. The next day, they were missing, so we knew someone found them. It’s fun, and gets our name out there while sharing inspirational messages at the same time.”
Along with sending a positive message, Jane tells us that the project has helped their church grow closer. “The project gets families out walking together in search of rocks, and promotes quality time together.”
This Sunday, August 27, Hayden UCC will hold a Blessing of the Backpacks, after which they’ll paint more rocks to hide around town. For the church, it’s rewarding to know that these rocks are being received by people they may never meet. “We are excited to see the journey our rocks will take, and the people who may be touched by this outreach,” Jane says. “You never know whose life will be ‘rocked’!”